The Good Catholic

The Good Catholic is a 2017 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Paul Shoulberg. The film stars Zachary Spicer, Wrenn Schmidt, Danny Glover and John C. McGinley. The film was released on September 8, 2017, by Broad Green Pictures.

The Good Catholic
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPaul Shoulberg
Written byPaul Shoulberg
Produced byZachary Spicer
John Armstrong
Graham Sheldon
StarringZachary Spicer
Wrenn Schmidt
Danny Glover
John C. McGinley
CinematographyJustin Montgomery
Edited byKevin Weaver
Music byZachary Walter
Production
company
Pigasus Pictures
Distributed byBroad Green Pictures
Gravitas Ventures
Release dates
  • February 3, 2017 (2017-02-03) (SBIFF)
  • September 8, 2017 (2017-09-08) (United States)
Running time
96 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Three Catholic priests live in a rectory together. Young Father Daniel jogs daily and lost his father in the past year. Father Ollie really likes food and is a big fan of Indiana University basketball. More elderly Father Victor is completely devoted to the Church, with little outside interests. He finds comfort in setting up the candles and the church for mass, by himself in his own specific way. They eat together, set the weekly schedule for baptisms and church services and run the general work of the church. They also discuss Scripture, their proposed homilies and the meaning of God in their lives.

One Friday night, young Father Dan meets Jane through the confessional box. She tells him she is a musician and is dying. She is new to the church thing, but over the weeks they become friends, to the point of playing "battleship" in the confessional. Jane explains how she wants her remains to be disposed of, but changes her mind at times. She invites Dan to hear her sing at her coffeehouse and he goes. One night, they reverse roles and she wants him to unburden himself. He tells her that he is happy to be a man of God and help people, but he does not see Him. Dan gives her a gift of a Bible after a bingo night and she gets angry.

Throughout the movie, each priest rehearses a homily:

  • Dan teaches that death gives meaning to life. Enjoy life now, for we all die.
  • Father Ollie teaches compassion. We all need compassion, that means to suffer with another; we need to comfort the sick and be there with the dying.
  • Father Victor preaches that no one sees God, but He lives inside each of us. God, love and man are one.

One night, Father Dan invites Jane over for dinner at the rectory. Father Ollie is enjoying the food cooked by Dan. Father Victor becomes very serious and asks what Father Daniel's primary passion is, reminding them that a priest has a duty to be devoted to God only. Jane, offended, leaves. Victor asks Daniel if he has lost his faith; Father Daniel says no, that he didn't have faith, until he met Jane. By loving her and helping her, as a friend, he is also loving God. He has found an inner peace to continue.

Cast

Production

Paul Shoulberg both wrote and directed The Good Catholic and dedicated it to his recently passed father, Donald Shoulberg. The film was Pigasus Pictures' first feature film and was produced by Zachary Spicer, John Armstrong and Graham Sheldon.[2] The Good Catholic began filming on January 25, 2016, in Bloomington, Indiana.[3][4]

Release

The film premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 3, 2017.[1] The film was released on September 8, 2017, by Broad Green Pictures.[5] The film has been released on Amazon Prime streaming.[6]

Reception

The Good Catholic was accepted at the Santa Barbara Film Festival and won the Panavision Spirit Award for Best Independent Feature Film.[7]

References

  1. "'The Good Catholic' Review | Santa Barbara 2017". Hollywood Reporter. 2017-02-24. Retrieved 2017-10-08.
  2. McNary, Dave (January 12, 2016). "Danny Glover, John C. McGinley Joining Romantic Comedy 'Good Catholic'". Variety. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  3. "On the Set for 1/29/16: Danny Glover Starts on 'The Good Catholic', Emily Blunt and Luke Evans Wrap 'Girl on the Train'". SSN Insider. January 29, 2016. Archived from the original on June 11, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  4. Rabenold, Maia (January 21, 2016). ""The Good Catholic" to film in Bloomington". idsnews.com. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  5. Busch, Anita (2017-05-23). "Broad Green To Release 'The Good Catholic' In Select Theaters". Deadline. Retrieved 2017-10-08.
  6. "The Good Catholic". Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  7. Pond, Steve. "'The Good Catholic,' 'My Hero Brother' Win Top Awards at Santa Barbara Film Festival". The Wrap. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
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