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

Sisto is terrific in a strained movie with religious overtones and undertones

Into Temptation (2009)

This is a religious film, really, in street clothes. And in the end it's about how being good is really good.

It's also a lesson in how you have to bend the rules to actually do the right thing--even if you fail. And that sometimes you do the right thing and succeed--without even knowing it.

Clearly a low budget movie, and a fairly simple one, in filmmaking terms (the sets, the light, the presence of the camera, the side characterizations, and the music, all these key elements, are unremarkable). But the plot itself, with its twists, is enough to make you at least curious. Yes, you wonder why it has to go tawdry at times, why there has to be some sexed up stuff for the viewer (it doesn't advance the plot, in the one egregious case). And there is a tidy solution to the central problem that will seem cheap to nonbelievers and magical to believers.

Most of all is a great performance by the lead, the priest, played by Jeremy Sisto. I knew him best from his role as Billy in Six Feet Under, and loved him there, and he is if anything more subtle and interesting (if less outrageous) here. It's a careful, felt performance in a movie that should have supported him better. Other aspects may jump out. His ex-girlfriend, whatever her role, is utterly believable, as much as the prostitute in question is not. The other priest is a caricature who overplays his part but has some great dialog with Sisto. There is the key flashback, which adds yet another layer of meaning, of cause and effect, and though it moved me somehow, I felt manipulated by it, and it was another case where the movie showed its seams.

So it may try too hard and strain within its resources (and with the director's reach--he has one other film to his credit, and famous as the voice in a Hamburger Helper t.v. ad), but it has moments that are right on. With Sisto's help. For those inclined toward religious sentimentality.