User reviews

I saw this movie as part of the PSIFF. There were 2 movie houses packed for this performance. The story is detailed in the preview. I felt that the writing, and the performances made it one of the best films in the festival. At the end of the screening the audience were clearly awestruck. The message about the real reason for believe, not in a religion, but the power of people was uplifting. I know that some might find the story anti-Catholic, but if I met someone that was a committed to being a good person as Daniel I would be at his services.

A simple plot summary (Juvenile delinquent poses as priest, transforms village) does not begin to describe the nuanced and complex moral dilemma explored in "Corpus Christi," Poland's 2019 entry into the Oscar race. Violence, nudity, sexuality, and vulgarity--that in another film might seem gratuitous--here remind us that the world is full of angry people whose religiosity is more rooted in revenge than redemption. The central question: Is the road to love, forgiveness, and salvation more navigable when mapped by a man who wills himself into the priesthood and defies blind obedience than it is when directed by soulless compliance? Prepare yourself for a shocking and perplexing answer. Extraordinary performances, direction, and cinematography.

I know watching foreign stuff maybe difficult, but if you're able to, just watch it. I'm Polish but I don't feel any sort of connection to the movie's background and yet the story still amazed me on so many levels. Each and every performance is so honest and breathtaking and I personally love the technical side of this movie. It's a must watch of this year

This is one of the best films in Polish cinematography. Multidimensional, thought-provoking, revealing Polish vices and played at the highest level

The premise hooked me the moment I read it, so I was ready to give it a chance. It's low budget worked in it's favor. It the end I jumped off my couch and said Burn Hollywood Burn. For the entire run-time I was transfixed by Bartosz Bielenia gaunt and beautiful portrayal of a young man looking for his place in the world and finding it by posing a priest in a small town. Besides the plot, which unfolds once he gets to the town, the theme of acceptance comes through strong in the two main actors, Bartosz Bielenia and his co-female lead Eliza Rycembel portrayal. They manage to convey-often in unspoken moments that speak louder through their expressive eyes-things that I've never seen on screen and have only come across in books. It was beautiful man. Eyes, that's what I'll remember about this film. They say they are the windows to the soul. And this film has soul. Christ, it has soul. One thing that comes through is something at the core of humans and religion, acceptance and redemption. Really, I haven't been moved by a film like that in years. There have been moments, prolonged periods were I was glued to my seat. But this film pulled me in from the off and when the titles rolled I was back in the room again. The thing was art, and I want to see more Polish films. I'm from Ireland, and it had a lot of Irish flavor, nothing to do with religion but more so the performances-the expression in the actors and the honesty in their eyes. I wanted to give it nine stars as, usually, no film deserves 10 (10 is reserved for that one film of a lifetime that you will never forget, this comes close), but to get the rating up to where it should be I did. Big up Polish film.

Pretty great plot, groovy characters. This has it all! I would recommend this movie to everyone.

Great actor(s), great film. i love polnish movies.

10/10, very good drama. It was worth the time, alot to learn from this movie.

"Boze Cialo" is one of the best films released in 2019, a deep drama based on true events. The film is totally a masterpiece, a drama-art house movie, the performances are amazing, mainly Bartosz Bielenia playing Daniel, the direction is perfect, the cinematography is beautiful and the script is awesome. The film is about redemption, lifes can change for good, also it's about the catholic religion and hypocrisy, two sides: a good catholic being sympathetic and hypocrites catholics. The heaven is on Earth but the hell too. A masterpiece!

Corpus Christi (2019) is a Polish, Oscar-nominated drama depicting the highs and lows of a religious vicenarian who is released from a detention centre before accidentally becoming a priest for a small town parish, the residents of which are all unbeknownst to his criminal background. This motion picture illustrates the story of how he navigates both hiding his true identity with having to authoritatively minister the village.

Even though this is technically a drama, I would genuinely consider it to be a dark comedy, in fact I thought it was as I was watching it. The first hour or so I found to be hilarious whilst at the same time hinting towards a more darker 2nd half of the movie. And wow, the latter half definitely does get darker. I may have only cried a little bit but I felt absolutely devastated inside. And this feeling is intensified by the terrific score in the background. It is only present in a few scenes but when it is there, you can certainly feel that presence everytime.

The story as a whole was riveting, and highly compelling. It was fantastic to see how the protagonist not only fulfills his duties as a clergyman, but actually changes the town's attitude towards certain things for the better.

The lead actor, Bartosz Bielenia, was utterly incredible at his role, perfect even. I cannot imagine that character being played any better than how he did, so massive praise to him.

The cinematography was also phenomenal. It held itself together until the very end when everything (purposely) loses itself. It was just so clever and executed very well.

It's a shame that this was up for Best International Feature along Parasite (2019). Any other year and Corpus Christi likely would've won that Oscar. At the very least it deserved to win it. If you are willing to put up with a foreign language film, then I strongly suggest giving this a go, it is a spectacular picture.

No pun or group intended - a small tweak to the thing you may be used to read in my reviews. And deservedly so - the movie is as raw as they come! I do not think the church is too happy with what we do get to see here - even if the message can be: you can choose and become a priest! But to quote a different movie - you can leave something behind ... but it still stays inside you. Or at least will haunt you (maybe even hunt you).

Acting wise this is terrific ... just fantastic! Add to that a near flawless script (dialog and timeline wise) and you have quite the winner! I had heard of this movie and that it is supposed to be great .. I just got the chance to finally watch it. And it did not disappoint ... quite the contrary is the case.

Family is important - and our main character knows quite a bit about it. He also knows quite a bit about the failed rehabilitation system .... which I think rings true for many countries and not just the one on display here (Poland) ... take notice! This almost feels like a documentary ... it is so raw and mean ... and in your face. You have to love it or leave it ... this is not for everyone! Especially if you are sensitive I reckon ... I'll pray for you (no pun intended of course)

What an excellent piece of European cinema. Exceptional art from the beginning to the very last frame. Continuous messages against the hypocrites of this so called religious world; deep and authentic preaching through the lips of a criminal cutting every divine book in pieces. Amazing work of photography portraying images as a nowadays garden of Eden. Secrets and guilt amongst demonic humans who could terrify the devil himself. Superb acting like a literal punch in our stomachs. With influences from other cinematic gems as "Behind the Hills", "Jagten" and "Fight Club" I feel the need to kneel before the goddess of Art. Don't miss it. Especially the religious maniacs.

About the world we live in, about our distance from God, about our superficiality and weaknesses, about how we build hell here on earth, for ourselves, for those around us ... a film that invites meditation and self-change. 10 points!!!

This movie is so deep on so many levels. It left such a deep mark on me that I couldn't stop thinking about it for days. Made me feel so grateful and humble in life in general. It's not so much about religion. The focus of the movie are peoples lives and the changes they face. Definitely, the best spent 2 hours and I will surely watch it again.

What an story. Great acting. Show the hypocrisy and print in a small comunity in Poland. You will remember this movie. Maybe an Oscar winner?

Once in a while you run into a film that is absolutely not what you expected when going to the cinema but also was everything you wanted to see - and more. The trailer for this film was so misleading that I was reluctant to watch it, yet when it was over, I was in awe, and the very next day I went to see it again, first time I did this in my life. Frankly, this film may be hard to understand to those of us not from Easter Europe and you'll be missing out on some meta humor, but at the same time, it may become your little doorway into how so many of us live here. As a non-Polish non-religious person, I still found myself relating to Corpus Cristi quite a bit. Finally, Daniel's spiritual journey will be yours, as well. Just like himself, it's impossible to become a saint without ever knowing sin and overcoming it. This movie did not make me believe in God more than I did (or didn't) before, but it certainly did bring me closer to understanding what people find in religion - and why angels might live even in the most unholy of us. A must see, and the best film I have seen in 2020 so far.