If you want to see a film where you shift in your seat, fidget and generally are bored see Of Gods and Men. First of all the film inadvertently refers to Of Gods and Monsters, another small release film that has nothing to do with Gods and Men. Secondly, because the film is set amongst monks in a monastery G&M reminds one of the documentary Into Great Silence. There’s no comparison.
At the start Of Gods and Men the story could be taking place in any timeless war torn situation. Priests in a remote monastery resist the efforts of local insurgence to take them over. While the arc of this film appears obvious from the first frame the movie drags on.
After a while it’s revealed that we’re in somewhat contemporary times through cars and clothes, and that the French speaking holy men are in an Algerian setting. Of Gods and Men starts to concern itself with Christian versus Muslim ethics.
Lambert Wilson and Michael Lonsdale are among the actors. Of Gods and Men opens this weekend at the River Oaks Three.
- Michael Bergeron