Conspiracy of Silence

It's not often that a film changes history, but it's just possible that Irish writer-director John Deery's righteously energetic Conspiracy of Silence just might help alter the course of 21st century Catholicism.

Deery's modest drama is one big, obvious argument against the vow of celibacy for Roman Catholic priests, but it has heart.

Feels like a personal vendetta.

Deery's points are well-taken, but they would have been a lot better made if he hadn't taken so many easy shots at the church by demonizing its local authorities.

Want Jesuitical fineness of argument? Look elsewhere. This one merely answers the prayers of those looking for an argument.

The limp thriller plot Deery constructs to frame his theological inquiries is both artificial and not very interesting, a lethal combination.

A well-intentioned but ultimately incompetent Irish dud.