Benedetta review: Paul Verhoeven’s tale of the trials of love and faith is shocking, visceral, and surprisingly respectful

Verhoeven’s exploration of the titular character’s journey, her marriage of her faith and her desires, is done in a way that is simultaneously gracious yet affecting.

Benedetta

Story:

Based on the true story of Benedetta Carlini, Benedetta explores the life of its titular protagonist, a nun in 17th century England. Submitting herself as a bride of Christ at a very young age, Benedetta's devotion is marked by inexplicable miracles and visceral visions of her Lord, which seem to grow stronger each day. When a young woman, Bartolomea, seeks refuge in her convent, she finds herself for the first time at the mercy of her desires.

Review:

As a filmmaker, Paul Verhoeven has never been one to draw within the lines, and Benedetta is no different. The very fabric of the film, a lesbian love story between two nuns within a convent, has enough to ruffle feathers, which it did indeed. But open one’s mind a sliver enough to look past the ‘controversial’ bit of it all, and Verhoeven’s brilliant effort at spinning an affecting tale of love and faith shines through. On the surface of it, Benedetta seems to be a love story of two women trying to fight against the odds to be together. And a love story it is, at its crux. But as the film progresses, one realises that there is more to the love story than meets the eye.

Right from the very first scene, it is established how Benedetta is much more than a typical devout follower of Christ. With what seems to be a direct hotline to the man in the sky and an uncanny ability to produce miracles at will, she steps foot into the convent that becomes her lifelong home at a tender age, pledged to a life of faith by her parents. Visions of Christ rarely leave her side, some of which seem to make her lose control of her body and actions even. When a young woman named Bartolomea seeks refuge in her convent, Benedetta’s faith is put to the ultimate test.

Initially, Benedetta tries to lead the young woman onto the path of righteousness as well as she could, although her efforts end up being misguided in the end. The experienced nun finds herself out of her depths with her new companion, Bartolomea’s playfulness and vigour, a sharp contrast to Benedetta's stoicism and unshakeable faith. But as time goes by, the two start to forge an impregnable bond, which soon blossoms into a love affair that threatens their position in the convent.

One of the things I was surprised by was how Benedetta and Bartolomea’s love story seemed to have taken a backseat until the third act of the film, at least when it came to having a noticeable effect on the overall story of the titular nun’s fate at her convent. Instead Verhoeven carefully spins a story that is more or less centred on Benedetta’s faith more than anything else. We see the nun’s religious fervour get more intense as the film progresses, in the end culminating in physical manifestations of stigmata that earn her a coveted spot not only in her nunnery, but also among the townspeople of Pescia. A compelling part is how Verhoeven also tries to blur the line between Benedetta’s devotion and her delusion. On more than a few moments, we find instances where doubts are cast on the authenticity of Benedetta’s ‘miracles’. We are left wondering if the nun manufactured them and if that indeed is the case, is she herself trapped in her own delusions. The grey shades of Benedetta’s character pop up on quite a few occasions, adding to her intrigue and making her all the more compelling as a protagonist.

Verhoeven also does a splendid job in making sure that in the end, he shows no disrespect to the catholic faith and the followers of Christ, despite some of the more shocking sequences in the film that draw biblical parallels. Rather than bashing Catholicism as a whole and denouncing some of its practices, the director instead focuses the entire narrative in the context of Benedetta. It is Benedetta’s story, and her journey of faith.

Verdict:

Benedetta is definitely not a film for the faint hearted or narrow minded. But look past one’s biases and the shockers Verhoeven has in store, and you’re treated to a tale that is poignant, raw and surprisingly respectful to the faith that is central to its story.

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Cast and Crew

Virginie Efira

Daphne Patakia

Charlotte Rampling

Lambert Wilson

Louise Chevillotte

Olivier Rabourdin

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