Novels (2017)

Directed by: Ludwig Shammasian, Paul Shammasian | 91 minutes | drama | Actors: Orlando Bloom, Janet Montgomery, Anne Reid, Charlie Creed-Miles, Josh Myers, Jo Wheatley, Alex Ferns, James Smillie, Rory Nolan, Natasha Sparkes, Kyle Rees

Young construction worker Malky (Orlando Bloom) is weighed down by a traumatic past. A Roman Catholic priest raped him when he was 12 and the wounds are still scorching. Almost forty Malky lives with his mother, a religious type who at the time did not want to hear about possible abuse, Malky’s relationship with girlfriend Emma is a dead end. Then one day the news comes that the priest is returning to the parish where he once assaulted Malky.

The English drama ‘Romans’ – named after Bible verse Romans 12:20 – is the second full-length film by Paul and Ludwig Shammasian (formerly operating as The Shammasian Brothers, a name you would expect from a traveling trapeze act). Although there are plenty of films about abuse in the Catholic Church, ‘Novels’ is a nice addition to the genre. The church as an institution remains unaffected, the film focuses mainly on the consequences of the abuse.

The story of ‘Novels’ rests on two pillars. The film depicts all possible consequences that (sexual) abuse in youth can have for adults. It turns out to be a sad list: attachment problems, sexual aberrations, tantrums, chronic fatigue, depression, difficulty maturing and guilt, deep, deep guilt. These cases are never mentioned, but you can read them from Malky’s provocations and sexual preferences and from his troubled relationship with Emma (strong role of Janet Montgomery).

Second Pillar revolves around whether Malky will take revenge on his rapist or whether his heart is big enough to forgive the priest. It’s nice that the priest isn’t the obligatory slinky and horny slippery slope you would expect from a sexual predator.

Unfortunately, the film lacks a natural flow and is a bit angular in several respects (editing, dialogues, acting). Moreover, ‘Novels’ is a strange mixture of subtle and not subtle at all. A victim of a priest who later becomes a professional church demolisher? The inevitable stigmata? The cross he literally carries? All those brawls and the over-the-top ending (which is again in line with the Bible verse)?

Nevertheless, ‘Novels’ is a nice addition to the subgenre of the abuse drama. With a great cast, a solid story and a credible look at the consequences of abuse. Not to make you happy, but worth it.