For generations the International Catholic Church with its root base in Rome, was perhaps the most powerful religious institution in the world. With well entrenched rich and powerful men of the cloth and its distant secular arms tightly embraced by governmental institutions. City, country and state police and even military authorities, helped it reach around the world to promote its lay policies, regulations or merely to defy custom, national or even international law. It's respected and sanctioned officials were UN-assailable. Well established in America for nearly one hundred and fifty years, the church, it's cannon, authority, religious members and its social influence were undeniable and unimpeachable. However, during the last half of the past century, the one area the church did not have complete control over was it's southern gate; a growing base of ambivalent and savagely hungry attorneys who surprisingly discovered the church for all it's power was not impervious to the law. Once it was learned the church could be successfully sued and had the deepest financial pockets of all, law suits exploded in every province around the world. This movie is a case in point. It concerns the fight of the Guitry family (Keith Carradine, Blythe Danner and Michael Faustino as Robbie Guitry) who discovers their son has been molested by the local priest,(David Strathairn, superb acting) decide a financial settlement of $1,000.000 is not enough. They want the priest defrocked and sent to jail. The movie reveals the common practices of the church and the unscrupulous tactics of ruthless lawyers like Jack Warden as Claude Fortier. There are several other movies on this subject, but few other have the courage to reveal as much. ****
6 Reviews
Bravo for Bravery
view_and_review1 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It's now a commonly known and accepted fact that many Catholic priests molested young boys, but that wasn't always the case. In 1990, when "Judgment" was released, this was an anomaly. 30 years removed from that movie we know that it wasn't an anomaly at all.
"Judgment" is one of those difficult-to-watch movies. The pain and anger it evokes is too great. A young boy named Robbie Guitry (Michael Faustino) training to be an altar boy was repeatedly molested by Father Frank Aubert (David Strathairn). The matter only came to light after Robbie's adamant refusal to go to church one Sunday.
Once the issue came to light, the mother, Emmeline (Blythe Danner), wanted the pedophile priest arrested. The father, Pete (Keith Carradine), on the other hand, thought the accusation should be investigated some more and the priest, as well as the church, should be given the benefit of the doubt.
The parents were going to have a tough time getting anywhere with their accusation because Robbie would never verbalize what happened. As a parent myself I was bubbling over with angst and anger because of Robbie's silence. I wanted the papal pervert to fry for what he did to Robbie and other boys. But as a man who was once a boy, I know I also would've been silent. I may have even taken the whole thing to my grave. Not out of protection of the church, the priest, or anyone else, but out of shame. I know that I would've been far too ashamed to mention what happened to me because I'm a boy and boys don't let these things happen to them. So, from that respect, I completely understood Robbie's plight.
In a case like this it's hard to point out who you hate more: the priest for doing the acts, or the church--on whatever level--for covering it up. Aubert had been shuffled from church to church leaving a dearth of destroyed young boys in his wake and the church continued to stay mum. Sure, they wrapped it up in flowery religious talk to make it seem like they were doing good and the good they were doing shouldn't be overshadowed by this tiny ill, but it was nothing but holy hogwash.
So, kudos to the Guitry family (especially Mrs. Guitry) for being strong enough to go up against the Goliath known as the Catholic Church. Kudos to them for not taking a monetary settlement to be quiet while Father Freak continued to don the cloth. If it weren't for their bravery, then we wouldn't have this movie. And maybe their act of bravery established a precedent to allow others to come forward later. And kudos to the writer, director, and production company for being bold enough to release such a movie when I'm sure it was highly unpopular.
"Judgment" is one of those difficult-to-watch movies. The pain and anger it evokes is too great. A young boy named Robbie Guitry (Michael Faustino) training to be an altar boy was repeatedly molested by Father Frank Aubert (David Strathairn). The matter only came to light after Robbie's adamant refusal to go to church one Sunday.
Once the issue came to light, the mother, Emmeline (Blythe Danner), wanted the pedophile priest arrested. The father, Pete (Keith Carradine), on the other hand, thought the accusation should be investigated some more and the priest, as well as the church, should be given the benefit of the doubt.
The parents were going to have a tough time getting anywhere with their accusation because Robbie would never verbalize what happened. As a parent myself I was bubbling over with angst and anger because of Robbie's silence. I wanted the papal pervert to fry for what he did to Robbie and other boys. But as a man who was once a boy, I know I also would've been silent. I may have even taken the whole thing to my grave. Not out of protection of the church, the priest, or anyone else, but out of shame. I know that I would've been far too ashamed to mention what happened to me because I'm a boy and boys don't let these things happen to them. So, from that respect, I completely understood Robbie's plight.
In a case like this it's hard to point out who you hate more: the priest for doing the acts, or the church--on whatever level--for covering it up. Aubert had been shuffled from church to church leaving a dearth of destroyed young boys in his wake and the church continued to stay mum. Sure, they wrapped it up in flowery religious talk to make it seem like they were doing good and the good they were doing shouldn't be overshadowed by this tiny ill, but it was nothing but holy hogwash.
So, kudos to the Guitry family (especially Mrs. Guitry) for being strong enough to go up against the Goliath known as the Catholic Church. Kudos to them for not taking a monetary settlement to be quiet while Father Freak continued to don the cloth. If it weren't for their bravery, then we wouldn't have this movie. And maybe their act of bravery established a precedent to allow others to come forward later. And kudos to the writer, director, and production company for being bold enough to release such a movie when I'm sure it was highly unpopular.
Felt Rushed and Slow Simultaneously
buffingtondakota9 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Good Film. Good storytelling for a real-life event.
The actors portrayed the pain, anguish, and conflict extremely well. Movie moved very quickly at first, almost abruptly, but then quickly came to a slow down. This film is short, but could have been maybe 15-20 minutes longer to not rush the beginning (or climax) so quickly and develop the characters/story a little better. Although this was predictable, these stories and events need to be told. In telling this stories, other survivors may be able to find their voice and stop this ugly behavior from continuing.
This story follows a priest who molested children, however this does happen, we should also tell the stories of similar situations but that happen outside of religious backgrounds since this happens outside of church as well.
Sadly, with research, the priest in real-life did not stop this ungodly behavior. After spending 10 years in prison, from the originally sentenced 20 years. He was released and moved to Texas where he was being convicted of molesting a 3 year-old boy. He admitted to molesting over 30 boys to get the 20 year sentencing.
The actors portrayed the pain, anguish, and conflict extremely well. Movie moved very quickly at first, almost abruptly, but then quickly came to a slow down. This film is short, but could have been maybe 15-20 minutes longer to not rush the beginning (or climax) so quickly and develop the characters/story a little better. Although this was predictable, these stories and events need to be told. In telling this stories, other survivors may be able to find their voice and stop this ugly behavior from continuing.
This story follows a priest who molested children, however this does happen, we should also tell the stories of similar situations but that happen outside of religious backgrounds since this happens outside of church as well.
Sadly, with research, the priest in real-life did not stop this ungodly behavior. After spending 10 years in prison, from the originally sentenced 20 years. He was released and moved to Texas where he was being convicted of molesting a 3 year-old boy. He admitted to molesting over 30 boys to get the 20 year sentencing.
Brilliant acting
cmmescalona23 July 2010
I won't spoil the show for whoever happens to see this small jewel of a made for TV film! And I will not enter into the theme which the film is about. I suppose it is a bit senseless to air one particular point of view on the Catholic Church, politics, football or women when reviewing a film just for the sake of doing it.
OK... I recommend it because this may be one of the most daring films ever made around the subject of child molestation. The idea has been reviewed a thousand times since the cinema verité started and the New Wave took a place in our world. Maybe Germania Anno Zero is a good example.
In Judgment (sic), we have a splendid cast with a Director that actually dared to do things you seldom even try to do in a film, especially when the subject matter is so explosive. And it explodes in his hands with a blinding, enormous BANG!!
The core of every heart that is rent in this film is portrayed with passion and utmost realism. But when things really explode, the film reaches a climax that is not common at all. And here is where all the actors involved and the Director himself, did something absolutely scary. Obviously, you must watch the whole film to grab its importance and enormous power. Suffice to say Keith Carradine had one of his best and most memorable seconds in front of a camera. I won't spoil it. You have to see this by yourself to believe it. I don't know if just the making of that particular take, let a alone the whole scene, ended in special psychological treatment for Keith and Michael Faustino, who plays Robbi, Keith character's son.
If you have to stop the film because you can't stand that particular scene, I would understand. It's happened to a lot of people. If you have children... you'll know better.
All in all, in 1990, this film was just a small prediction of things to come.
OK... I recommend it because this may be one of the most daring films ever made around the subject of child molestation. The idea has been reviewed a thousand times since the cinema verité started and the New Wave took a place in our world. Maybe Germania Anno Zero is a good example.
In Judgment (sic), we have a splendid cast with a Director that actually dared to do things you seldom even try to do in a film, especially when the subject matter is so explosive. And it explodes in his hands with a blinding, enormous BANG!!
The core of every heart that is rent in this film is portrayed with passion and utmost realism. But when things really explode, the film reaches a climax that is not common at all. And here is where all the actors involved and the Director himself, did something absolutely scary. Obviously, you must watch the whole film to grab its importance and enormous power. Suffice to say Keith Carradine had one of his best and most memorable seconds in front of a camera. I won't spoil it. You have to see this by yourself to believe it. I don't know if just the making of that particular take, let a alone the whole scene, ended in special psychological treatment for Keith and Michael Faustino, who plays Robbi, Keith character's son.
If you have to stop the film because you can't stand that particular scene, I would understand. It's happened to a lot of people. If you have children... you'll know better.
All in all, in 1990, this film was just a small prediction of things to come.
Solid, but predictable TV Movie
baker-921 February 2001
"Judgment" follows the events surrounding the molestation of several young boys by a Catholic priest, including the initial disbelief on the part of the parents, and the desperate attempts of the church establishment to cover up the misdeeds and admit no culpability.
The script pretty much develops the action in the same way you see in many other TV movies of this sort - good story, but few surprises. Fortunately, the film is filled with fine actors. Blythe Danner doesn't quite strike me as a small-town Louisiana woman, but her intensity is welcome, particularly her anger at her husband's initial unwillingness to confront the Church leaders.
David Strathairn does a wonderful job (no surprise) as the pedophile priest, a man totally in denial about the harm he has done and his own emotional sickness. He has a brief, but telling scene near the end with the Monsignor (played by the reliably oily Bob Gunton) where he defends his behavior as giving the kids "all of his and God's love" and an antidote to parents who probably beat and abuse their kids. Clearly his general accusation does not apply to the families in the film.
Many people are offended by any kind of sympathetic portrayal of a child molestor, which is easy to understand. But I give "Judgment" credit for going beyond the one-dimensional, and giving us a glimpse of a tortured soul behind the horrible behavior.
The script pretty much develops the action in the same way you see in many other TV movies of this sort - good story, but few surprises. Fortunately, the film is filled with fine actors. Blythe Danner doesn't quite strike me as a small-town Louisiana woman, but her intensity is welcome, particularly her anger at her husband's initial unwillingness to confront the Church leaders.
David Strathairn does a wonderful job (no surprise) as the pedophile priest, a man totally in denial about the harm he has done and his own emotional sickness. He has a brief, but telling scene near the end with the Monsignor (played by the reliably oily Bob Gunton) where he defends his behavior as giving the kids "all of his and God's love" and an antidote to parents who probably beat and abuse their kids. Clearly his general accusation does not apply to the families in the film.
Many people are offended by any kind of sympathetic portrayal of a child molestor, which is easy to understand. But I give "Judgment" credit for going beyond the one-dimensional, and giving us a glimpse of a tortured soul behind the horrible behavior.
Very good film.
apjc12 February 2018
Another fact based real life horror, a story that reveals the truly awful story of one case in many. The institution that preaches right and wrong, trying it's damnedest to cover up the sins of it's own. In this case as others justice / right was only served after the church hushed previous crimes up, then compounded the crime with transfers to another diocese resulting in further victims. Of course we now frequently hear of other institutional sectors doing the same. As for the film, I actually rate HBO as the best film studio now. They maybe made for TV, but they seem to gather great acting casts, good directors and good production. They combine this with serious stories or good storytelling, rather than another comic book story overloaded and dependant on CGI. Well worth watching, will shock / anger and make you think how these things can happen.
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