Midnight Mass

Authors: James Somerton
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada

“Midnight Mass”

Directed by: Pedro Almodóvar
Written by: James Somerton
Score by John Williams.

Principal Cast:

Robin Williams as Father MacCaurthy
Jimmy Bennett as Samuel Feilding
Kate Winslet as Melissa Feilding
Gael García Bernal as Miguel Lopez
Pam Grier as Ms. Allans (Samual’s teacher)

Tagline: "Prey For The Sinners”

Release Date:
December 25, 2006

Synopsis: Melissa Feilding has just become engaged to Miguel Lopez, a Mexican immigrant who is in need of American citizenship. Melissa is doing him a favor but she also likes him very much. So does her young son, Samuel. Melissa has been raising Samuel as an agnostic but Miguel has been telling him bible stories and taking him to mass every week. Melissa is reluctant at first but goes along with it, even going so far as having Samuel baptized.

Samuel is so entranced by the Catholic religion that he begs his mother to let him become an alter boy. She agrees and Samual begins helping Father MacCaurthy with services. MacCaurthy is charming and is invited over for dinner several times a week. What Melissa doesn’t know though is that Father MacCaurthy is growing a little too attached to her son. When she learns from Samuel's principal that Father MacCaurthy has been molesting her young son, she grows enraged. She calls the police but Samuel refuses to testify against MacCaurthy. Melissa takes it upon herself to find out why.

What the press would say:

Powerhouse performances from the entire cast drive this powerful work of filmmaking. If there was ever a doubt that Robin Williams is a great dramatic actor, this film proves it. His portrayal of Father MacCaurthy is both disturbing and terrifyingly sympathetic at the same time. Kate Winslet gives an Oscar worthy performance as a conflicted mother who wants to make her son happy but keep him safe at the same time. The scene in which she
blames Gael García Bernal’s character for the molestation is one of the most powerful I have scene this year! Gael García Bernal also gives a fantastic performance. The scene in which he is deported is heart wrenching because he has fallen in love with Kate Winslet, even though the union was supposed to be purely for convenience. Jimmy Bennett secures his place as a young actor who might just make it to adult stardom. But what is a stellar cast without a director and a screenplay to back them up? Pedro Almodóvar directs
James Somerton’s screenplay with a grittiness that almost makes you think you are watching a documentary. This is one of the most poignant films of the year and truly deserves to be recognized at Oscar time.

Possible Nominations.

Best Picture
Best Director - Pedro Almodóvar
Best Original Screenplay – James Somerton
Best Actor – Robin Williams
Best Actress – Kate Winslet
Best Supporting Actor - Gael García Bernal