Diary of a City Priest (2001)

Based on the life and writings of Father John Patrick McNamee, pastor of St. Malachy's Catholic parish in inner-city Philadelphia from 1984 to the present day, Diary of a City Priest is a poignant celebration of the trials and mysteries of being an inner-city Catholic priest. David Morse as "Father Mac" struggles to find time to reflect and write about the meaning of his priestly life and service in the midst of a very jammed schedule as everyone's "go-to guy." You can kvetch about his muttering and frustration -- now there's irony -- but how would you do if everyone came to you with their problems -- even beggars from dinner hour till midnight, cleaning out your pantry -- for the past 15 years, and you knew it would be so for the rest of your life? In an unusual touch that worked adequately for me but may not for others, Father Mac has face-to-face dialogs with four saints that are integral to his faith and outreach. Most show a good sense of humor but the best line of the movie is one saint's counsel: "Live through the mystery, don't try to unravel it." The movie was made on a low budget -- you can tell since some scenes are grainy or blurry with motion -- though authentically (on-site at St. Malachy's and environs). The script feels alternately yeomanlike (put through its paces) during most of the dialog but waxes lyrical in its description of a priest's sacramental duties. (Probably the latter comes from the real Father Mac's writings while the dialog scenes are constructed.) The movie reflects accurately (as far as I know) the real life of a parish priest -- esp. an inner-city one whose perfunctory benefactors in suburbia don't understand that donating a pre-owned car might as well include a bumper sticker that says "Strip me for parts." Struggle as he may with yielding to stress and burnout, Father Mac's dedication is selfless and inspiring. The movie sustains that message for the most part. 4 stars.