The mystery of good and evil

Rating: Null/10 (25 April 2007)

Hontar: "We must work in the world, your eminence. The world is thus." Altamirano: "No, Señor Hontar. Thus have we made the world... thus have I made it."
This is the key dialogue in this movie, and Altamirano - to me - is the key character in it. The question is: is he a bad person? Regardless of the answer, one thing is sure: his character is made of flesh and blood, which is very, very rare in movies, especially when Catholic dignitaries are portrayed! (Compare the one from "Kingdom of Heaven" - a primitive character who eats all the time - what a profound account!)
The moral dilemma which he has to face is shown excellently in the movie. It is clear he has a deep sympathy for the mission. This last confession he makes to himself: "thus have I made it" proves that he knows and understands very well what a great evil he did. Yet he was too weak to follow his heart - the path he KNEW was right, the path of "political incorrectness" - which would probably cost him everything. Instead, he followed the dark path whereby he saved his flesh, but not soul.
Again I compare it to "Kingdom of Heaven" in which ALL characters are annoyingly one-dimensional (and so is the general message). How refreshing to see "The Mission" instead! Makes you believe again in a world in which not all opinions are dictated by politics and party membership, but where people are judged for what they are in all their complexity.
I cannot recall any other film which is this close to reality of human existence as this one. Many movies are about entertainment. Many others are about political propaganda. This film is about the mystery. The mystery of good and evil. Therefore it is probably THE best film I have ever seen.