Stigmata

This reviewer made a conscious and deliberate effort to view "The Exorcist" before Stigmata and recommends anyone take a similar approach. Although there are many similarities there are also fundamental differences. More of those later.

Could the death of a priest in South American church, where a statue of the Madonna is seen crying tears of blood, be somehow related to the mysterious injuries being inflicted on a young New York hairdresser.

Gabriel Byrne, soon to be seen in Star Wars Episode II (hopefully), plays a Vatican investigator whose usual assignments include debunking Stigmatics, various divine images seen in walls or hillsides and weeping statues like the one he encounters in South America.

Byre’s character hears of the strange goings on in NY and sets out to meet the girl (superbly played by Patricia Arquette) to endeavor to find out what is really causing the distressing wounds being suffered by a hitherto carefree young agnostic.

Can the priest help the girl before she is silenced forever by the Catholic church and is her plight part of something much bigger than he ever imagined.

There are strong performances from all the lead actors and the effects and make up are well realised. A few gory scenes might cause some viewers stress and the very subject matter may offend others.

The opening of the film is very similar to that of The Exorcist. Many of the scenes are also reminiscent of William Friedkin's film of William Peter Blatty’s novel. Byre’s character bears not only a physical resemblance but also shares the same cynicism as his counterpart in the Exorcist. The main difference between the two films is the possessor. In Stigmata is Christ, in the Exorcist, the devil. Stigmata is not quite so dark as it’s predecessor but still leaves the viewer somewhat disturbed.

The Region One DVD version contains two endings and allows the viewer to watch the entire film with the ending of their choice. I watched it with the original ending and then watched the director’s ending (which I must say I preferred) afterwards.

Overall an enjoyable, thought provoking film