by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
What should you expect when a new Paul Verhoeven film comes out? PLENTY of controversy. This provocative artist will challenge everyone in the audience for all his films. Whether it is extreme violence or harsh and brutal representations of rape, Verhoeven will never pull punches when telling the story he wants to tell. What is his latest story? Benedetta. This is a story about an Italian nun during the Plague. She begins to have visions of Jesus… both disturbing and sexual. These feelings are embodied in a heated affair with another nun while she also becomes a prophet for her town. This true story is stranger than fiction and sure delivers a crazy ride.
But how is Benedetta a Verhoeven film? Oh… it checks all the boxes. First off, those visions are bold and unbelievable. Giant snakes and a sword swinging Jesus? No wonder people are protesting this film. Well, maybe those graphic and intense lesbian sex scenes might also have to do with that too. There are certainly moments that staunchly religious people will find sacrilegious, including how Benedetta (Virginie Efira) and her lover, Bartolomea (Daphne Patakia), use an idol of the Virgin Mary. Verhoeven channels his sensibilities to create brutal deaths and torturous scenes. Visually, he also channels some other great films about nuns like Black Narcissus. The music as well is deeply religious sounding which is such a pitch perfect contrast to watch being seen on screen. Is there a level of camp and humor about the film? Absolutely… and that is honestly one of the most enjoyable aspects.
Benedetta certainly channels plenty of Verhoeven’s filmmaking sensibilities, but does it have something to say? It would be easy to write this film off as a “smut” film, but there is real substance to it. In a time of a pandemic, the way the film handles the Plague is fascinating. Where there are plenty of “idols” in our modern society (on both sides) being saddled with a prophet-like status, it is easy to see this hysteria in the film as something prophetic. The mob fear is something poignantly felt today, and Verhoeven knows how to connect it back to something relevant. The film also deals with faith in a powerful way as Benedetta is challenged at every turn. Does she stick by her beliefs despite everyone turning against her? This drive and commitment to the end is admirable and the most human thing the audience can latch onto. Despite its graphic nature, the film also forcefully challenges our own society of the shame it pushes on sexuality. It boasts a clear and emphatic call to destigmatize sexuality and to allow people to live their lives. Obviously, these are a lot of bold and contentious values that hit back at staunch traditional Catholic values (case in point… protests everywhere).
But how do these talented actors bring these scenes and messages to life? Benedetta offers up a star-making performance for lead, Efira. She is commanding in every aspect of her performance. Seductive and sexually commanding in the most graphically sexual scenes but also powerfully emotional in her scenes where she is either channeling the spirit of Jesus or pleading for her own beliefs, Efira keeps you guessing and that is essential to the mystery of this story… is she truly prophetic or is she a charlatan? Patakia portrays the partner in it all and their chemistry together is off the charts. She is also challenged to show great fear and pain at key points, which she rises to the occasion. Charlotte Rampling is the perfect veteran presence as the Mother Superior as well as an antagonist to our Benedetta. Lambert Wilson does what he does best: being reviled and despicable. You will love to hate him at every turn.
Is this film for everyone? Absolutely not. There are plenty of people who will not be able to get past the excess that Verhoeven packs into this film. But it is a gorgeous film made with great craft. The actors anchor the audience to the film’s poignant and compelling themes. If you can commit and lose yourself in this drama about faith, you will get a crazy surprise.
Grade: A
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