You have reached a quiet bamboo grove, where you will find an eclectic mix of nature, music, writing, and other creative arts. Tao-Talk is curated by a philosophical daoist who has thrown the net away.
Orlando Bloom is to be commended for his believable performance as a 30-some year-old man who gets triggered and spirals into emotional chaos when the priest who sexually abused and exploited him as a child returns to the small town parish to act as priest at the new church.
The choice of career for Malky, his character, (part of a demolitions team that tears down churches,) his slavish devotion to his elderly mother, as well as his fears of intimacy and commitment with his girlfriend, all work together to build a portrait of a man who has been keeping the lid on the pressure cooker of his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder fairly well until the trigger.
The movie depicts the chronic nature and pervasive effects of childhood sexual abuse upon a now-adult victim who, for many reasons, feels he must keep the horrific truth of it a secret from everyone. I appreciate the realistic intervention by the young priest who has his own horrific lived experiences of being victimized; but who also has found a way to process it.
Highly recommend to anyone who has been victimized by a priest, a parent, or other adult whom the child trusted and who is keeping the secret inside that is tearing them apart. Also recommended for loved ones of those victims who are trying to make sense of some of their loved one’s behaviors.
Warning: there are some disturbing sexual scenes and language as well as graphic self-mutilation.
The poster image above, as well as a(nother) decent review on, “Retaliation,” can be found here.
Film loosely based on experiences from the screenwriter Geoff Thompson’s life.
The film originally premiered in 2017 at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, but did not receive a U.S. release until 2020 when Saban Films picked it up during the COVID-19 pandemic. The actors Orlando Bloom and Janet Montgomery were really surprised when the film finally got picked up, as many years had passed and they thought it’d never see the light of day.
Bloom and the filmmakers sent the script to many Men’s Support Groups such as 1 in 6, to gain some insight and suggestions.
Wow, this looks like pretty heavy stuff! It’s hard to believe priests abuse children, but unfortunately dreadful monsters can be anywhere, and church officials are no exception!
I’ve said it just the other. I don’t believe in heaven and hell. But every time I hear about children being sexually abused, one of the most horrible crimes I can think of, I hope I’m wrong about hell. And that the child abusers will end up languishing there forever!
Christian, it is a very intense movie, but it is one worth watching. They can be anywhere, you’re right, but anyone who exploits a position of (god-ordained, per them) power to hurt anyone deserves a special place in hell. If those places don’t exist I imagine them perpectually coming back as noxious kinds of insects that people love to kill without thought.
I believe you, Kerfe. The movie does an excellent job of showing how the abuse of a child manifests itself in adults. We forget about the victims when they grow up and that is a national/worldwide shame.
Tao Talk 
Wow, this looks like pretty heavy stuff! It’s hard to believe priests abuse children, but unfortunately dreadful monsters can be anywhere, and church officials are no exception!
I’ve said it just the other. I don’t believe in heaven and hell. But every time I hear about children being sexually abused, one of the most horrible crimes I can think of, I hope I’m wrong about hell. And that the child abusers will end up languishing there forever!
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Christian, it is a very intense movie, but it is one worth watching. They can be anywhere, you’re right, but anyone who exploits a position of (god-ordained, per them) power to hurt anyone deserves a special place in hell. If those places don’t exist I imagine them perpectually coming back as noxious kinds of insects that people love to kill without thought.
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The Catholic Church in particular has not been held accountable for the systemic abuse it has inflicted. I’m sure it’s still going on. (K)
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I believe you, Kerfe. The movie does an excellent job of showing how the abuse of a child manifests itself in adults. We forget about the victims when they grow up and that is a national/worldwide shame.
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Indeed it is.
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Thanks for the tip. I see it is available on Amazon, I’ll check it out.
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You’re welcome.
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Haven’t seen this, looks compelling,
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It is.
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These kinds of movies are hard to watch but are needed.
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Max, yes they are. I really hope any reader understands they are not alone <3
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I’ll have to see if it is streaming on any of the ones I have…
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