The Order (film)



"The terrible thing about the truth is that sometimes you find it."

Alex Bernier is a priest. And not just any priest. He's a trained exorcist, raised in the Catholic Church by another priest and his mentor after his parents died. He is also hopelessly in love with Mara, a woman once tried to kill him. Bound by the oaths of his order, he dares not pursue her.

But she pursues him. All the way to Rome, where Alex is summoned after his mentor, Dominic, is found dead. Worse, though, Dominic was declared a heretic just before his death, and is to be ex-communicated. Alex refuses to let this happen, and is joined in Rome by another friend and fellow disciple of Dominic's, Father Thomas.

In Rome, Thomas and Alex encounter several demons Dominic apparently summoned before his death. It's apparent Dominic was attempting to atone for something, but they are at a loss for details until they are led to a mysterious man called William Eden.

Eden is eternal, not quite a demon but no longer just a man. He is a Sin Eater, the only person on Earth capable of forgiving men of their sins and allowing them entrance into Heaven...even after they have been ex-communicated. Thomas believes Eden is evil, a perversion against the Church, but Alex is torn. Eden convinces him to give up his order to pursue Mara.

For about a day, Alex experiences perfect, blissful happiness. But alas, it's not to be.

The movie stars Heath Ledger, Shannyn Sossamon, and Mark Addy...all of whom were in A Knights Tale together, which was also directed by Brian Helgeland. The film bombed at the box office, with many critics saying it had several good ideas, but poor execution. Your Mileage May Vary.

This film provides examples of:
"Alex: I performed the ceremony. I found dying. I did it to set  free.
 * A God Am I - Eden seemed to feel this at first. Alex does, too, when he first absolves a sin.

Eden: How did it feel?

Alex: Like I was God."

"Detective: Is says here she tried to kill you at an - exercise class?
 * Badass Preacher - Alex and Thomas both qualify
 * Big Lipped Alligator Moment - Exactly what is going on with the guys in the sewers who can tell the future by hanging guys?
 * Broken Bird - Mara, who is seriously messed up, so much so she once tried to kill Alex

Alex: She tried to kill me at an exorcism."


 * The Call Has Bad Reception - Alex is a nice guy and a trained exorcist who believes he's being tasked to destroy the Sin Eater.
 * The Chessmaster - Eden, full stop.
 * Christianity Is Catholic - justified in that it's about a sect within the Catholic Church
 * Creepy Child - we get two, in the form of the two demons haunting Alex
 * Death Seeker -
 * Embarrassing Tattoo - Thomas has one on his ankle.
 * The Heretic - Dominic is called this, and thus ex-communicated
 * Heroic BSOD - Alex has one
 * Ho Yay - Alex/Eden, not helped by the fact that both actors are so pretty.
 * Inner Monologue - Alex gets one towards the end of the film


 * Irish Priest - Thomas
 * Never Suicide -
 * Religion Is Magic - Or at least, it can make you immortal, allow you to summon and vanquish demons, and absolve people's sins by eating some bread and salt.
 * Religious Horror
 * Sinister Minister - Driscoll
 * Takes One to Kill One -
 * Thanatos Gambit -
 * These Are Things Man Was Not Meant to Know - how Thomas views the rituals surrounding the Sin Eater and his powers
 * Tomato in The Mirror -
 * Vatican City - the setting for much of the movie
 * Who Wants to Live Forever - Eden