Kiefer Sutherland Comes Out With All Guns Blazing
Key Points:
- "Father Joe," directed by Barthélémy Grossmann and written by Luc Besson, is a violent, absurd multifaith mob movie blending action and dark humor, set in 1990s New York and featuring a priest who takes on drug dealers with extreme measures.
- The plot centers on Father Joe (Kiefer Sutherland), a priest who injects gangsters with a deadly virus requiring weekly communion antidotes, aiming to control the drug trade while drawing the ire of crime boss Giu (Al Pacino).
- The story shifts from drug wars to a sinister organ transplant scheme involving missing children, adding complexity and a comic book-like quality reminiscent of 1970s TV shows such as "Kung Fu."
- The film features intense, over-the-top action sequences, including a notable elevator fist fight, and balances violence with moments of humor, with Al Pacino providing a grounded performance alongside Sutherland's charismatic lead.
- While the film's tone and style are divisive, it stands out as a bold, no-holds-barred action spectacle and a distinctive entry in the 2024 Lido film lineup.