Movie Review: Deliver US from Evil, by Ester Molayeme, Epoch Times, October 26, 2006

Movie Review: Deliver US from Evil

By Ester Molayeme
Epoch Times
October 26, 2006

http://www.theepochtimes.com/news/6-10-26/47457.html

Los Angeles — Deliver Us From Evil is a remarkable documentary about Father Oliver O'Grady, reportedly the most notorious pedophile in the history of the Catholic Church.

Father O'Grady provided over 20 years of service to the Church in Northern California, time in which he allegedly molested hundreds of children, including a 9 months old infant. In some cases he seduced parents in order to get to their children.

As accusations of molestation arose, the Archdiocese moved Father Oliver O'Grady from parish to parish.

OLIVER O'GRADY IN A PUBLIC PARK IN IRELAND: He was deported to his native Ireland where he currently lives free within reach of children. (Courtesy of Lionsgate)

Deliver Us From Evil is presented without narration, using undisputed facts that speak directly to the viewing audience. Introduced are documents, letters, and several interviews with priests, lawyers, law enforcement, a child abuse psychologist, the victims and their parents, as well as O'Grady himself. "I wanted O'Grady and others to speak for themselves" explains first time director Amy Berg. "O'Grady is so shocking and real, I couldn't have scripted a better villain."

After serving seven of his fourteen years sentence, Father O'Grady was deported to his native Ireland where he currently lives free within reach of children.

CHILLING DEPOSITONS: Monsignor Cain (left), Oliver O'Grady (center), and Cardinal Mahony (right) give deposition testimony. (Courtesy of Lionsgate)

The soft-spoken and smiling O'Grady is very forthcoming about his deviant conduct, displaying no remorse, and admitting to numerous sexual encounters with the sons and daughters of his trusted parishioners. But when further questioned, explains producer/director/writer Amy Berg, "he couldn't remember all of the facts and in some cases he wasn't even sure he did anything wrong." At some point O'Grady further expressed a desire to write a letter to all his victims, inviting them to a meeting with him in Ireland, so that he can personally apologize for his acts.

Heartbreaking interviews with victims Ann Marie Jyono, Nancy Sloan, and Adam M., as well as their families, reveal the psychological, emotional, and spiritual trauma as exhibited by a pattern of failed relationships, the loss of faith, betrayal, isolation and shame.

Mr. Jyono converted to Catholicism to marry his wife. Blinded by their Catholic faith, the Jyonos painfully recall opening their door to Father O'Grady, a man of authority and devotion to God. Their Catholic faith was completely shattered when discovering that Father O'Grady was arrested for child molestation and that their own daughter was one of his rape victims since the age of 5.

Special to this documentary are the never before seen footage of the chilling depositions of Cardinal Roger Mahony and his former second-in-command, Monsignor Cain, as well as interviews with Father Thomas Doyle, a canon lawyer and medieval historian, who dedicates his life towards victims' advocacy. He helped the victims in their quest for an audience with Pope Benedict, which was denied.

Clever photography by the award winning cinematographer, Jens Schlosser, as well as Jacob Kusk, capture natural images that are very revealing, and communicate so much more than the verbal statements alone.

Deliver Us From Evil is Amy Berg's directorial debut. She has produced documentary segments for CNN, and is the recipient of the 2003 and 2004 Emmy Awards for her work at CBS News.

Currently, says Berg, "under Mahony's direction the Los Angeles Archdiocese spends $2 million dollars a month paying high-priced attorneys to prevent the release of incriminating information." Furthermore, continues Berg, "these are millions of dollars being spent for their own protection rather than the victims' welfare."

Powerfully illustrated, Deliver Us From Evil provides a forum to the victims, enabling them to "express themselves and move on" explains Berg, and "hopefully to give others the courage to do the same."

Though tense and discomforting, Deliver Us From Evil is a powerful and engaging presentation of morality, ethics, and religion, best understood perhaps by viewing the movie more than once. This is a well-made documentary that should be seen by people of all persuasions and faiths.