Perhaps the best film about Faith

"...pernicious ideologies like Communism"? And capitalism is the real thing? Let me guess: When Jesus cleaned the temple the purpose was to fight evil, evil communism, right?

It's the best one I can think of, certainly.

The film, I think, was getting at what is really important in a believer's life. Do symbols matter? What actions should you take? What is morally right? How far are you willing to go for belief, and is it worth it? Is there actually anybody listening, or is it just silence? Should you speak out for your faith or should you be silent? What's stronger?

It's a complex film, and one of my theories as to why it performed poorly at the box office is because it doesn't cheerlead for Christianity (and faith in-general), but it doesn't condemn or mock it, either. As such, it challenges everybody who sits down to watch it - believer and atheist alike - and that's what I love about it, but many would find that too uncomfortable. It's too real. It's too real a struggle with doubt and faith to be comforting for anybody. (Also, of course, it was under-marketed).

Should have been nominated, if not won, the Best Picture award. I didn't see Moonlight (and many others that year), so I can't judge, of course, if it was truly best picture, but they had nine films on the ticket and room for a tenth.

SPOILERS

My take is that they did not relinquish Christianity, or at least Rodriguez did not. Some of the pained expression of Neeson's could indicate his turmoil at being forced to try and apostacize Rodriguez. I can't quite recall, but I believe most of his interactions are under the watchful eye of the Inquisitor, so he was surviving.

The final shot - with the crucifix - to me means that Rodriguez kept his religion, but kept it secret. In fact, I believe that he not only kept his religion, but he was spreading the faith. Who put that crucifix there? I'm guessing Rodriguez's whole family were Catholics, and possibly others in his region who would have arranged his funeral.

And, of course, the final shot also hammers home once more the power of belief, and whether it is better to be a good person and keep the faith or to value symbols.

I liked Black Robe over this movie