Capsule reviews for Aug. 1

Calvary

Brendan Gleeson is sensational as a troubled Catholic priest in this dark comedy from Irish director John Michael McDonagh (The Guard) that powerfully examines faith and redemption. Gleeson’s rural clergyman is anonymously threatened by a confession, causing him to reconcile his affairs both personally and spiritually while trying to figure out the identity of the perpetrator. It’s a morally complex character study from McDonagh, whose deliberately paced screenplay is both humorous and haunting. The film gradually ratchets up the tension as it reveals details about the priest and his parishioners, while Gleeson provides an emotional anchor with an understated portrayal that balances strength and vulnerability. (Rated R, 101 minutes).

Child of God

A captivating performance by Scott Haze elevates this low-budget adaptation of a Cormac McCarthy novel from actor-director James Franco. Haze plays Lester, a man whose life descends into sociopathic madness following the loss of his home and family, leading him to mumble incoherently as he wanders through the woods of rural Tennessee. As he resorts to brutal violence against any intruders, a sheriff and others try to retaliate. The episodic film is highly unsettling at times and certainly not for all tastes, but as a raw and visceral portrait of sexual and social defiance, it conveys a powerful glimpse into backwoods desperation and survival instincts. (Rated R, 104 minutes).

Four Minute Mile

This earnest redemption drama fails to go the distance with sentimental tendencies and trite lessons of perseverance blocking its path to the finish line. It follows Drew (Kelly Blatz), a brooding teenage runner whose rebellion stems from living with an ex-con brother (Cam Gigandet) and a withdrawn mother (Kim Basinger). His only hope lies in the tutelage of an irascible and demanding old coach (Richard Jenkins) who is hiding troubles from his past. Reliable veteran Jenkins and charismatic newcomer Blatz have some nice moments together, yet the film winds up indulging in underdog clichés in a way that might have been more effective on the small screen. (Rated PG-13, 96 minutes).

Louder Than Words

If “this is not a sad story,” as this drama’s opening narration tells us, than why does it try so hard to transparently jerk tears at every turn? It chronicles the struggles of suburban parents John (David Duchovny) and Brenda (Hope Davis) to keep their family together after their precocious youngest daughter (Olivia Steele-Falconer) is diagnosed with a serious illness. The film inspired by a true story, might be a better fit on the small screen, where its emotional manipulation at the expense of narrative integrity might not feel so hollow. While its heart might be in the right place, its brain is perhaps less so. (Rated PG-13, 93 minutes).

Rich Hill

Poverty in contemporary America comes in many forms, as demonstrated by this quietly powerful documentary about the titular Missouri mountain town with an unfortunate name, where three troubled teenage boys struggle amid dysfunctional families that include parents who are ill-equipped both socially and economically. The everyday routine of their lives are chronicled with an unassuming honesty by directors Tracy Droz Tragos and Andrew Droz Palermo, whose refusal to pass judgment on their plight makes the impact all the more heartbreaking. We root for them to find hope for the future under the most difficult of circumstances, and worry that there are many more kids just like them. (Not rated, 91 minutes).