THE PENITENT
US, 1988, 94 minutes, Colour.
Raul Julia, Armand Assante, Julie Carmen.
Directed by Cliff Osmond.
Penitent is an unusual drama, written and directed by comedian Cliff Osmond. It is set in the provinces of Mexico, a fable amongst the peasants who live there, with their ascetical Catholicism. Basically a romantic triangle story, it is complicated by the tradition of the Penitents, a group of men devoted to the church and the Passion of Christ. In Holy Week each year one of their number is chosen to hang on the cross all day as the Christ. Most do not survive - and the widows mourn them and are forbidden to marry.
Raul Julia is very good as the silent worker, in love with his young wife who cannot respond to him except in loving and fear. She is attracted by his good friend, played with vigour by Armand Assante. Julia has to volunteer to be the Christ but Assante takes his place, hoping thereby to win his wife and take her away. However, she interprets it that he is the chosen Christ, atoning for his sin and hers, and that she must remain with her husband.
The colourful settings, the atmosphere of work in the provinces, the religious atmosphere are quite authentically conveyed.
1.Interesting drama? Impact? Romance? Central America? Religious themes?
2.The Mexican settings, the provinces, the valley and the mountains? Ordinary life? Work and irrigation? The dark side of the village, religious observances and practices, processions? The crucifixion? Musical score? Hymns?
3.The title, the reference to the group in the village, to Ramon? To Juan? And the irony of the interpretation of Juan as the ultimate Penitent?
4.Ramon, the strong silent character, Celia as his young wife, her being afraid of his love? His work, the return of Juan, their old friendships? Their working together? Celia and her fears, the incident at the creek, thrown into the water? His seeing her attracted to Juan, seeing them together? Going to his mother? Thinking that their sin will enable his marriage to succeed? His belonging to the Penitents, the various rituals, the carrying of the coffin? The choice of the Christ? His illness, the lot falling to Ramon? His preparation? Juan volunteering in his stead? His allowing him to do so - seemingly to win back his wife or, if he died, to prevent Juan from ever having her? The irony of his final explanation that he was afraid to die? The farewell?
5.Juan, background in the mountains, friendship, his swagger, his time in prison, brutality, his 30 days hanging in the prison? The work, the irrigation? Friendship with Corina? Infatuated with Celia, his approaches to her, their lovemaking, his falling in love, wanting to go away with her? His volunteering the truth to Ramon, volunteering to hang on the cross? The agony, his eyes and the statue of Christ facing him? His collapse, surviving? The irony of his pursuit of Celia, her refusal to go? Her interpretation of him as the Christ and his doing penance for their sin? His return to the mountains? Feeling that he had really died?
6.Celia, her youth, arranged marriage, loving but afraid? Infatuated by Juan? Thrown into the creek, learning to swim? In love? Ramon chosen as the Christ, her support of him? Prayer? Her rejection of Juan? Staying with her husband?
7.Corina, the girl around the town, in love with Juan? His telling her about his love for Celia? Her scepticism? Explaining the rules of the Penitents?
8.The Penitents, their sombre religion, penance? The candles, the rituals, the processions? The man chosen to be the Christ, the deaths of the Christ figures?
9.The life in the village, poverty, valuable fields, irrigation? The life of the peasants? Ramon's mother and the agelessness of the village?
10.Themes of love, commitment, betrayal? Religious themes?
