Taking on a religious subject can be a bit delicate, but the movie The Apparition handles the subject of saints well. Nicely acted and directed the movie takes you into the inner workings of a canonical investigation to beatify a Saint. It doesn’t judge the concept, but uses it for their mystery drama that plays out in the film. The film does not claim to be true or based on any actual beatification.
Anna (Galatéa Bellugi), a 16-year-old girl who has been in foster care since birth, joins a Nunnery in France. Sometime later she claims to have seen an apparition of the Virgin Mary in the Carbarat region of southeast France. She says that the apparition told her to spread the word of love and help those who are under oppression. The situation has intensified and masses of pilgrims have gone to the area to see the girl. Posters and relics are sold of her and she speaks to the people at a church run by Father Borrodine (Patrick d’Assumçao).
In another part of the world, Jacques Mayano (Vincent Lindon), a noted French photojournalist serving in Syria gets injured when a bomb explodes near him that kills his best friend. Now on leave from his publication, he gets a call from the Vatican in Rome asking him to help with a special task. His job would be to conduct an investigation to gather facts, pro and con, involving the apparitions. He will also interview Anna along with a four others, Docteur de Villeneuve (Elina Löwensohn) a psychiatrist, Stephane Mornay (Gérard Dessalles) a theologian, Father Gallois (Claude Lévèque) who represents the Diocese, and Father Ezeradot (Bruno Georis) a Priest.
The investigation begins with Director Xavier Giannulli adding characters as the situation needs them. He shows Anna as a fearless advocate of the Catholic doctrine and a believer in the apparition she saw to be a true act of the morality for those under oppression. Putting her to the test Giannulli’s Jacques pulls no punches as he digs into Anna’s past, the timeline that led up to her revelation and her sincerity when greeting the pilgrims who have come to see her.
Giannoli uses his camera as a precision tool to bring out Anna’s beauty and bravery as she responds to questioning and accusations. And Galatéa Bellugi does a terrific job of developing her Anna into a believable 16-year-old who has been chosen by the Holy Mother to do her work. Her character arc shows the changes as she goes from innocence to questionable before being pressured in the final act. I’m amazed at her ability to give such a stunning performance for such a demanding role.
The cinematography of the picturesque area the film was shot is outstanding. He gives sweeping views of the villages with hundreds of villagers and pilgrims trying get a look at Anna. Then he trains the camera on Anna as the people welcome her into the chapel and through the streets up to the sight of the vision. It all looks real and puts the viewer in the front row of all the action. In addition the wardrobe department and make-up must have worked overtime dressing the actors for the necessary look to depict their characters.
Bonus Extras: The film has a few features that should be watched following your first watch of the movie.
“Interview with director Xavier Giannoli” – Xavier answers questions in including what the film is about and why he made it
“Galatéa Bellugi audition tapes” – the actual screen test and audition for the part of Anna
“Light in Zaatari Refugee Camp”- shows a refugee camp for Syrians
The Apparition has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains some violence. The film has a very good twist and the material is handled without any negative connotations. The story gets played out in French with English subtitles. It’s now available on DVD and VOD.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A nicely played out drama with very good acting and direction. (4 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Vincent Lindon, Galatéa Bellugi, Patrick d’Assumçao, Anatole Taubman, Elina Löwensohn, Claude Lévèque, Gérard Dessalles, Bruno Georis, Alicia Hava, Candice Bouchet
Director and screenplay writer: Xavier Giannoli
MPAA Rating: Not Rated,
Genre: Drama
Foreign: French, English and Italian with English subtitles
Running Time: 2 hrs. 24 min.
Video Release Date: January 22, 2019
Original Theatrical Release Date: September 7, 2018
Language: English
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
Subtitles: English
Number of Discs: 1 disc
Distributed by: Music Box Films
Released in: DVD and VOD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
