Last Rites

Priest Father Michael (Tom Berenger) has a father who's the head of one of the families in the Mafia. Michael protects Angela (Daphne Zuniga) who his father wants dead...and starts to fall in love with her despite being a priest. Now he's torn between love for his family, love for Angela or love for the church. The story has been done before and there's plenty wrong with it. For starters Berenger is totally miscast as the priest. In the right roles Berenger can be good--but not here. He's also far too muscular for any priest I've ever seen. Zuniga (with an atrocious faked accent) is no more than OK. The story also has more plot holes than I cared to count. Still it does (somewhat) work. Within the first 5 minutes you have female nudity AND full frontal male nudity (unusual in any Hollywood movie). Zuniga has about two * scenes and Berenger shows off his muscular chest. It is well directed and has a nice music score. There's also a wonderful supporting performance by Anne Twomey as Michael's sister Zena. Also there's a GREAT ending. These do make the movie worth sitting through. Also this DID play in theatres despite what Leonard Maltin says in his video guide. I saw it in a tiny little theatre back in 1988 (it played a week and that was it). I distinctly remember the quiet audience actually laughing and applauded when the main villain got what was coming to them. This is no classic--heck it's not even a good movie--but it's not an utter disaster either. An OK time waster.

Angela and Luis organized this massive scam, which I wasn't expecting. When it came to Angela, Father Michael Pace should have trusted his instincts, Nuzo, and his sister. He shouldn't have acted as her savior and gave her over to the police when she confessed to Geno's murder since she was too much of a damsel in distress and caused too much stress in his life. I'm glad Zena was able to gain her revenge for herself and her father in the end. Father Michael Pace tried to disassociate himself from his family's mafia affiliations, but they are the reason he remains still alive.

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source: Last Rites

Last Rites

I recently saw this movie for a second time, and noticed that the ring was on his finger at the very beginning. I'm not Catholic, but doesn't this mean that he's married to the church, as are nuns? Could someone clarify? I think the reason he took off the ring was that he realized he had betrayed the vows he took to the Church. I loved Tom in this movie, but I pretty much love him in everything. It was interesting to see what a cathedral looks like "behind the scenes". I also enjoyed the scenes in Mexico, especially the celebrations. The plot was implausible, but not as offensive as some would have you believe. Hard to believe that Tom did this movie one year before Major League. It obviously shows what range he has as an actor.

Angela and Luis organized this massive scam, which I wasn't expecting. When it came to Angela, Father Michael Pace should have trusted his instincts, Nuzo, and his sister. He shouldn't have acted as her savior and gave her over to the police when she confessed to Geno's murder since she was too much of a damsel in distress and caused too much stress in his life. I'm glad Zena was able to gain her revenge for herself and her father in the end. Father Michael Pace tried to disassociate himself from his family's mafia affiliations, but they are the reason he remains still alive.

I liked it yes some weak moments in the film, which probably could have been avoided - not that the script was weak, just weak editing and the pace/energy fell a bit. Besides that it is a good solid suspense mafia based film with an interesting Catholic theme through out it. I'm a bit fan of several of the actors (large and small pastes) and they did not disappoint. Locations were great, love those 1980s clothes and feeling an interesting decade. I have nothing really negative to share, and if I continue writing I may step over that line and create spoilers which I don't want to do. It isn't the greatest picture but it's good - soundtrack - loved it ! And the twists and turns continually had me guessing and I confess that to me is a good marker. Rent purchase whatever watch it. I gave it a 9 just to balance too much negativity and it's a good movie.

This film does show Berenger's truly broad range as an actor. It is one of those movies' that stick with you and kind of "haunt" you, in the very good way of being truly memorable, ultra-sexy and different! Bellasario's genius is well known now, but was truly evident in this early work of his. 50 Shades of Gray has nothing on the raw sexuality displayed so beautifully by Tom Berenger. My wonderful husband of 30 years has always known that even though Berenger is 16 years my senior, I would have an affair with him in a heart-beat. This film shows exactly why! The ending of this movie leaves you breathless and yearning for more.

Donald Bellisario has been busy cranking out dull TV product for decades (the sleep-inducing "NCIS" series, etc.) Here, he tosses out, thankfully!, his only movie project ever. Let's all kiss the ground for that at least, okay! This is hilariously awful! It is packed with tons of bad New York stereotypes. It inexplicably features an Irish dude (Berenger) badly trying to pass for Italian. And, worst of all? The impossibly stick-thin Daphne Zuniga is playing Mexican? Really?! Man, this is bad, BAD, B-A-D! And, the "twists" at the end will leave you shaking your head and desperately trying not to laugh. But, you will laugh, and you will laugh hysterically! (did I mention this movie wasn't good?) (1/2* Out of 10 Stars) - of course, IMDb will not let me do 1/2*!