Into Temptation (2009)

A prostitute plans to end her life on her birthday, but her priest attempts to stop her from doing so.

Director:

Patrick Coyle

Writer:

Patrick Coyle

Stars:

Jeremy Sisto, Kristin Chenoweth, Brian Baumgartner

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeremy Sisto	...	Father John Buerlein
Kristin Chenoweth	...	Linda Salerno
Brian Baumgartner	...	Fr. Ralph O'Brien
Bruce A. Young	...	Lloyd Montag
Amy Matthews	...	Nadine Brennan
Tony Papenfuss	...	Zeke
Greta Oglesby	...	Miriam
Ansa Akyea	...	James St. Clair
Isabell O'Connor	...	Tessie Thomas (as Isabell Monk O'Connor)
Patrick Coyle	...	Steven Miller
Linda Kelsey	...	Corrine Buerlein
Lolita Lesheim	...	Della (as Lola Lesheim)
Gene Larche	...	Gus
Marion Markham	...	Diane
Ann Milligan	...	Judy

Storyline

A call girl goes to a priest to confess a sin she hasn't committed yet: she plans to kill herself on her next birthday. Then she disappears and he goes looking for her, enlisting the help of an ad hoc congregation of troubled souls along the way. A story about forgiveness.

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Plot Keywords:

catholic priest | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 April 2009 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Hopkins, Minnesota, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ten Ten Films, Cabin 14, Farnam Street II

Technical Specs

Color:

Color Black and White

Did You Know?

Goofs

There are two slightly different versions of the Lord's Prayer. The "Catholic version" has some different wording and a different ending than the "Protestant version". In the scene where Fr. Brulein is saying mass, he and the congregation recite the "Protestant version" and not the "Catholic version".

User Reviews

Surprisingly progressive... Thankfully unresolved and irreverent

I am bringing two skill sets to this review; (1) a tough movie critic, and (2) an irreverent but informed ex-seminary student. On both fronts, this film was spectacular.

(1) The writing was excellent in terms of being contemporary-- especially in light of the context of a Catholic priest--irreverent, unpredictable, unassuming in its theological treatment, unconventional, and (thankfully!) at the end, refreshingly unresolved.

(2) The themes were consistently theologically grounded, albeit within the Catholic vernacular. Father Ralph brings a distinctly expedient and assured style into the dialogue, while Father John brings a more deliberate, cognitive but dedicated approach. The two balance each other like a great "work team" arriving at a plausible and thought-provoking explanation for the darkness that is our human condition.

This film was surprisingly excellent. Upon watching a few previews prior to the film, I had significant doubts that I would finish a full 95 minutes of viewing. Yet the film brought me through real life, uncomfortable conversations, earnest seeking, genuine intent, and left me with the best possible theological conclusion: one of Grace.