Therese (2004)

Therese (2004) is slightly more cinematic than the average "orthodox Catholic saint's biography" film, edging into the same upper-class aisle as The Letters (2015). It is solidly Catholic though still somewhat formulaic, since you can all but set your watch by some hagiographic films: the saint-to-be professes a personal call to holiness, which in the next scene is thwarted by authorities, yet in the next scene a letter of permission arrives, and so on (check check check down the list of life events). This film also falls into the classic faux pas of "She was constantly coughing and occasionally collapsing for 3 months, maybe it should have occurred to someone to call for a doctor sooner than the 'incurably advanced case of tuberculosis' stage." Some predictability aside, this film may move you for its humanity, humility, and hope. Enjoy! 4 stars. (7-27-2017)