Dark Side of the Coin – The Crime of Padre Amaro Review

Carlos Carrera’s The Crime of Padre Amaro is a straightforward film depicting the social realities of the Catholic Church. There are two sides of the coin and the film shows both. But the film chooses to delve deeper into issues that are often overlooked because they are considered as controversial in nature. In doing so, the film boldly presents the negative side of the coin as it portrays the transgressions of the church from scene to scene.

Newly ordained Padre Amaro (Gael Garcia Bernal) arrives at a small town in Mexico to begin his mission as a priest. He is sent to such place to assist Father Benito (Sancho Gracia), who is the village’s parish priest. Padre Amaro is introduced as a young man, willing to help those who are in need. Near the beginning, his innate kindness is revealed as he helps a fellow bus passenger by giving him money to alleviate the loss from a holdup. However, as the film progresses, he loses his way.

It isn’t long before Padre Amaro becomes aware of the immoralities of fellow priests. Aside from having a secret affair with a local restaurant owner, Father Benito receives financial aid from the region’s drug lord for the construction of a hospital and recuperation center. Father Natalio (Damian Alcazar), another priest in the region, allegedly helped the revolutionary group, making the rebellions against the drug lords and mobsters possible.

Padre Amaro’s strength is put to the test as Amelia (Ana Claudia Talancon), the sensual teenager of the restaurant owner, tempts the priest. Amelia succeeds and their forbidden relationship bears a fruit. Abortion became the only solution for the troubled couple, which results to Amelia’s death and Padre Amaro’s disgusting lies.

The theme of the film is the unhealthy absorption of a priest to the deceitful bureaucracy of the church. The crime of Padre Amaro isn’t limited to his lustful affair with Amelia. It isn’t limited to abortion either. The real crime of Padre Amaro is the fact that he allows himself to do the things that go outside the bounds of his priestly oath for his own personal gain or self-preservation. When a local newspaper exposes the scandalous information about Father Benito’s connections with a drug lord, the church has Padre Amaro write a denial and the journalist responsible for uncovering the truth is unfairly fired. When Father Benito uncovers Padre Amaro’s relationship with Amelia, he blackmails the old priest into acquiescence. Finally, when Amelia dies, the important details of the case are suppressed in favor of Padre Amaro. A false story is disseminated all over the town, passing the blame to Amelia’s ex-boyfriend, and giving praise to Padre Amaro for attempting to save Amelia and her child from the abortion clinic. He even shamelessly presides over Amelia’s funeral.

The film presents a powerful message as a wake-up call to correct what must be corrected regarding the social issues that plague the church in today’s world. The film makes it clear that even the most principled man is fallible and flawed. The Crime of Padre Amaro succeeds in delivering the message but it fails to make the process of delivery engaging and compelling.