The Fire That Burns (1997)

This is a small, slow-paced, poised, beautiful movie only the French can make. Of course, the old buildings, paint-flaking doors, and the sounds of the French language help to set the tone.It is about childhood and priesthood, friendship and love, honesty and lack of malice, and how a religious, heterosexist culture can mess them up. It is worth watching even if you don't buy the whole catholic/theological argumentation (I don't).It also alludes to the oft-pointed fact that the Church - while despising same-sex love/sex - has been a safe haven for those God-fearing individuals who cannot act/feel otherwise.Enjoy!

When it comes to an overall impression of this film, amid an organized story and compellingly emotional performances, it is still not absolutely satisfying, for it loses its grip when the film ends.The story mainly depicts the relationships of two friends of quite an age difference and a priest in a strictly-run boarding school. It is a movie that takes the subtle approach when tackling sensitive topics. The film uses characters of difficult purposes and thoughts to discuss "love", and the difference between a healthy friendship and a improper one.The subtlety sets in when ideas are sometimes expressed vaguely through the kind of talk you would expect from priests. The religious overtone veils the story as the plot nears its end, with relatively lengthy scenes of half-debate and half-reflection, bringing to movie to a closure. The ending is quite abrupt, though I account it challenging to end it any other way."The Fire that Burns" is along the lines of relationships and forbidden feelings, with religious overtones and philosophical as well as moral concerns. It is a simple story, but with an incredible depth of sentimental strength.

As usual a beautiful performance by young actor Nael Marandin, here only 16 years old. I hope Marandin will continue acting although I don't think he's appeared in a movie since 1998. The story is also beautiful and the subject doesn't feel out of date at all. Recommended to those who can appreciate a nice, little flick with a slow pace.

This story of a priest scrutinizing the close friendship of two young boys in a highly-religious, regulated catholic school, was well treated and in tune with the author's book. The poised and repressed sentiments lead to a slow, uneventful movie that succeeds however in getting its point across. A nice tableau of a time not so far away.