The film is based on the relationship between an atheist woman and a priest in Wehrmacht-occupied France. A very good Jean Paul Belmondo plays the priest, who disturbs the life and ideologies of an equally good Emmanuelle Riva. Their relationship begins as a joke, in the attempt by the atheist girl to ensnare the virtuous priest, but dialogue after dialogue evolves into a spiritual and deep relationship, which in reality hides a sexual attraction. An impossible feeling, destined to never blossom. Apart from the skill of the protagonists, I was very transported by the type of narration chosen by the director and the excellent adaptation made by Jean Pierre Melville of the original novel by Beatrix Beck. A past story, full of dialogues between the two, but also of mental reflections of the protagonist and silences full of meaning. A theological film, which can not in 1h57m give any answer, but only highlight some dynamics of believing, converting and spreading Christianity.
Review of Léon Morin, Priest
