Do you believe?. Review on Stigmata Movie

Stigmata

This is a movie that inspired me. Whether you believe in religion or not, the movie makes you think. I left the theatre thinking to myself, wow, what if that happened to me? Or even someone that I know? Would I believe them?

This movie was directed by Rupert Wainwright and reminds me of the classics, Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist. If you liked those movies, you will definitely like this one.

Gabriel Byrne, plays Father Andrew Kiernan, a scientist/priest from the Vatican, who roams the world investigating alleged miracles.

Patricia Arquette, plays Frankie Page, a 23 year old amoral, Pittsburgh hairdresser.

Frankie Page gets some rosary beads in the mail from her mom who bought them from a street vendor in Brazil. What we find out later in the film is that these beads belonged to a Priest and were stolen from him after his death. Somehow, after receiving these ''magic beads'' she gets inflicted with a supernatural attack while she is floating naked in a bathtub.

She is suddenly pounded with puncture wounds through both wrists. She ends up in the emergency room and the doctors assume the wounds are self-inflicted. They aren't, but what other explanation could there be?

Slowly but surely during the film, we get a little factual background. In the New Testament it is written that during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ he had inflicted upon him by the Roman soldiers five wounds: 1) nails through the wrists, 2) nails through the feet, 3) whip lashes across the back, 4) a crown of thorns placed upon his head, and 5) a spear thrust into his side. These five wounds are called the stigmata by the Roman Catholic Church.

During the film, we get Hollywood's input...for example, there are some nude scenes, a seductive scene and some cool special effects with floating bodies, deep voices and some fire...but I think there is a much more serious message the writer was trying to send.

Whatever religion you believe in, think back to its origin. In the beginning...there was God. In this movie, what the writer is saying is that the Catholic Church has done its research. They have looked and found what they know to be the original language. They found writings from Jesus Christ himself who teaches you do not need a church in order to worship. You do not need guidance from men, only from God. Sooooo...in order to make a profit and keep the Catholic Religion, they hide this information. They do not want the masses to know about these teachings because if they did, the Catholic Church as we know it today would be nonexistent.

For those who just want the entertainment, the movie goes on with the rest of the wounds inflicted on Ms. Page and to see if Father Kiernan comes to her rescue and saves the day, you'll have to watch it to find out...

I definitely think you should give this flick a chance. Know going into it that there is more than the top level of entertainment and search for the deeper message inside of it. At the very least it should give you something to think about.