El Crimen del Padre Amaro

Based on the 1875 novel by Eca de Queiros, El Crimen del Padre Amaro reeks of scandals, intrigues and corruption in a predominantly Catholic Mexican Church. Bright, handsome, charismatic and newly ordained, Padre Amaro (Gabriel Garcia Bernal) was sent to a far flung village in Mexico to assist the aging curate Padre Benito (Sancho Gracia). On his way to the parish, the bus he was riding on was robbed by highwaymen, presaging a violent ending to the story.

When he arrived at the parish church, he was immediately captivated by the young and beautiful Amelia (Ana Maria Talancon) , a volunteer catechist. Padre Amaro was shocked to learn that the curate was keeping a mistress, Sanjuanera (Angelica Aragon), Amelia's mother, for a long time now. He also learned the the parish priest was building a big public hospital using laundered money from a local druglord. Meanwhile, a summons from the bishop brought Amaro to the city with a mission to bring back to the fold a rebel priest, Padre Natalio (Damian Alcazar), suspected of aiding communists.

While all these were happening, a passionate and forbidden love affair erupted between Amaro and the sixteen year-old Amelia. Things turned really nasty and uncontrollable when Amelia told Amaro that she was pregnant and when Amelia's erstwhile boyfriend who was a journalist learned about this and the above controversies.

A scathing criticism on the power that corrupts while it pretends to be at the service of the oppressed.

Outstanding performance from Bernal and Gracia. Fast-paced story. Chilling conclusion.

Directed by: Carlos Carrera
Cast: Gabriel Garcia Bernal, Ana Maria Talancon, Angelica Aragon, Damian Alcazar, Sancho Gracia
Released: 2002
Country: Mexico