The Crime of Father Amaro

A young priest in a rural village (Gael García Bernal) becomes caught up in the parish politics of an older priest who launders money for drug lords (Sancho Gracia) and another (Damián Alcázar) who sympathizes with a band of rebels. At the same time, the newcomer also becomes sexually involved with a local girl (Ana Claudia Talancón). Writer Vicente Leñero and director Carlos Carrera update Eça de Queirós’ 1875 Portuguese novel to modern Mexico, and the result is a slick, engrossing melodrama. Carrera strikes a naturalistic tone that avoids the soap-opera pitfalls of the story (the writer has the reputation of a sort of Portuguese Emile Zola), and the performances he gets from his actors are excellent. The film has ruffled conservative feathers with its portrayal of the sin of pride in the Catholic Church.