Now playing in select theaters across the country, as well as VOD, is the drama film, Benedetta.
The film stars Virginie Efira, Charlotte Rampling, and Daphne Patakia, to name a few.
This film is in French with English subtitles.
Benedetta (Efira) was born to serve God. When the film opens we see a young Benedetta praying a statue of the Virgin Mary.
Benedetta’s parents took her to a convent at a very young age. They left Benedetta there, and even offered money, food and wine to the head nun to secure Benedetta a place at the convent.
Young Benedetta grows up at the convent and is well respected by her peers. It’s obvious that she takes her religion seriously.
Benedetta also has a few experiences that some might see as miraculous, whereas others are not fully convinced.
One day a young girl races into the convent to escape her abusive father. The head nun offers the young girl (Bartolomea) a place to stay, and assigns Benedetta to oversee her in the convent.
What started as a mentor/student situation turns into something much more. Bartolomea is sexually attracted to Benedetta, but Benedetta fights against having the same feelings. She is a bride of God, and not allowed to feel that way. Not to mention homosexuality was not accepted back in the 1500’s.
Benedetta starts to have many “visions” of Jesus that seem to be taking over her life. In addition, she gives into her attraction towards Bartolomea and has an affair with her.
Benedetta even shows signs of stigmata (markings on her body that resemble Jesus on the cross). Are they real, or did Benedetta create them herself?
What happens if it’s found out that Benedetta is not only having an affair, but also with a woman? Also, the visions she is having – are their any truth to them? Is she truly blessed by God, or is there something else going on? To find out you need to go see Benedetta. Look for it at a theater near you or On Demand.
This film is based off the life of a real person, Benedetta Carlini (1590-1661). She supposedly did have visions and believed to be blessed by God. She also did have an affair with Bartolomea. I did not know that she was a real person.
I don’t know what to make of Benedetta. At times I thought her character was virtuous and belieable. At other things she seemed (to be) to be a bully and a bit crazy. I thought some of the claims she made she did to herself.
I have an issue with a lot of the visions Benedetta had in the film. I didn’t like that Jesus was seen as a sexual being, at one point asking Benedetta to disrobe herself, as well as him. Seeing a naked Jesus on the cross (his penis was tucked between his legs, so there was no full frontal male nudity) was totally unnecessary. I found that to be too offensive and over the top.
There was also a scene where young Benedetta was nearly crushed by a statue of the Virgin Mary. As she lied on the ground with the statue on top of her, she proceeds to suckle the statues breast. I’m NOT a “prude,” but that was another scene I felt was unnecessary.
Seeing Jesus riding a horse, swinging a sword and beheading people was also a bit far-fetched.
There is a lot of nudity in this film (full frontal female nudity) as well as strong sexual situations between Benedetta and Bartolomea. If you find things like that bothersome, then you might want to skip this film.
I know the relationship between Benedetta and Bartolomea is vital to this story, but I could have done with more “toned down” scenes.
The story is interesting. I would love to know if the visions she had and if there was any truth to the so-called miracles that occurred with her. After all, she lived hundreds of years ago, so there is no way they can be verified, except through stories and books.
I liked seeing how people lived back then. It’s hard to see how people lived to be a rip old age back then with all the diseases and starvation.
The acting was excellent. The cinematography was also outstanding.
I can see this being a controversial film that people will be talking about (my husband heard people on the radio talking about this film).
Below is the film’s trailer for your enjoyment.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener link in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.