Saints and Sinners
Directed by Abigail Honor, this documentary follows the journey of a gay couple whose sexual orientation -- or, at least, the religious community's reaction to it -- is at odds with their devout Catholicism, particularly in regards to getting married. Though the two men are able to conquer the sizeable hurdle of finding a gay priest and a Catholic church willing to host the ceremony, they find an equally intimidating obstacle in the would-be attendees, who, despite being perfectly affable friends beforehand, become worried that their own eternal souls may be put in jeopardy by participating in the wedding. As Saints and Sinners progresses, the conventional line between the holy and the unholy are blurred as the future grooms illustrate the lengths they are willing to go to in order to officiate their love for one another.
Director: Abigail Honor
The movie is sociologically rich, if not very memorable in the personalities it depicts.
Quietly persuasive and very timely documentary.
Would be as tedious as a home movie if the couple, Edward DeBonis and Vincent Maniscalco, weren't gay men and their nuptials not colored by the clash between their personal faith and their rejection by the mainstream church.
For an outside observer, Saints and Sinners doesn't make particularly compelling viewing, but Ms. Honor has given her subjects an excellent present on their big day: the ultimate wedding video.
There's an enforced squareness afoot as the directors contrast the couple with Pride-float revelers, as if testifying in front of a Massachusetts court that these two are as fuddy-duddy as the wholesomest het duo.
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