Not easy to stomach but a must see

Rating: 9/10 (11 July 2012)

One of my favorite directors does it again... He creates an emotional roller-coaster that leaves you in shambles when it's over. Beautifully horrific.
I want to point out a very interesting thing and the reason I'm writing these comments. I just read Roger Eberts review and I must say that it offended me. Mr. Ebert used to be the the very best at what he did. The one to go to for determining if you did or didn't want to see a movie. I respected his opinions. Yet... Recently, he's lost it. Yes he's been through a lot with his current health and I wish him all the best with this. Regardless, his perception of film has obviously slipped away. Firstly, for this film he missed the fact that Christian Bales character is NOT a priest. He is a MORTICIAN. This is IMPORTANT! A mortician and a man of god are two totally different things and this is critical in understanding the path his character takes (spiritually). He also mentions over and over that a "westerner" is wasted on the story and that a Chinese priest would have been more appropriate. DID HE WATCH THE MOVIE??? It's the fact that he's a westerner that keeps the Japanese from killing him in the very beginning! If he were Chinese, he would be the ENEMY! Just like the previous priest.
I'm done preaching from my soap box. Forgive me, but when critics are hard on movies and miss the boat, it frustrates me.
This is a truly disturbing film and at the same time, it's beautiful. Give it a chance, and trust the storyteller. Your in good hands.