Father, we think he's done this penance long enough...

Rating: 10/10 (3 February 2011)

"Father, we think he's done this penance long enough. But HE doesn't think so John!" This movie captured some beautiful moments in a person's conversion! I especially love, what I consider, the culminating scene of the entire film, wherein the Guarini see the man that enslaved and killed them and instead of doing the same to him, they set him Free from the burden of his past sins! What a beautiful irony and the symbolism is exquisite! This was beautifully done by Joffe and the gift of crying for his sins and the utter abasement of his soul before God and all is shown so well! It was really a very touching scene when Jeremy Irons' character then rushes over to hug and comfort this wretched soul! Then the way Joffe shows DeNiro working amongst the people he had sought to enslave and their acceptance of him as a new man--stunningly portrayed! The healing laughter of the children playing jokes on him and laughing at him...something that his former pride-filled self could not tolerate is so well done. I cannot help but to think that Joffe must've prayed about the making of this movie to do such a good job on these above mentioned scenes.
Unfortunately, I do agree with other reviewers that the movie went downhill from there. But, as a former missionary myself, I can avow to the fact that this film is very much alive in the hearts of thousands of brave missionaries throughout the world (not just Catholic priests and nuns but the protestant missionaries too who also love this film) and they will talk of the beauty of this film for many years to come!