I am writing here a review for season one only. I have read about the series in French newspapers and I found the theme original and interesting so I decided to buy the DVDs' of the first season. I was not disappointed. The acting is good and the topics treated deal with major issues of life choices and moral dilemmas that befall most people in modern society. The characters of the young seminarians, for the series has as heroes young people training for the Roman Catholic priesthood in contemporary Paris, are all singular in the sense that are all characters with particular problems instead of adhering to an average mundane grey conformity. Each of them has a particular personal drama to overcome in his path to Christian formation. Their superiors in the Seminary or in the Vatican are also colorful personalities. They are all subject to normal human temptations to which they often succumb. The production is relatively rich. If you are interested in moral dilemmas in a modern setting and not very touchy in your religious sensibilities you must watch Ainsi soient-ils.
6 Reviews
Well-Crafted Series
unclerae23 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
MAY CONTAIN A SPOILER... The Churchmen, is a Catholic Film Festival and a captivating drama about five young candidates for the priesthood who sign up to become Seminarians at the Capuchin Seminary in Paris. We witness their challengers, their commitment, their secret crimes and hidden passions that shape their estranged personalities. The seminary is in danger, the Parisian diocese falls into bankruptcy and when they turn to Rome, the Papal States sell them out to the highest bidder. It's produced with a conservative budget. I wouldn't say the production design, or cinematic look is comparable to the Borgias or any of those quick-shifting, spectacular, high-end shows. However, the actors and actresses deliver remarkable performances to support an emotionally powerful story line. If you're illiterate, you might have a hard time with sub-titles. Lastly, you don't have to be Roman Catholic to appreciate such a well-crafted performance.
C'est cinema verite'!
james-mccartney3 June 2018
the life of Church
Kirpianuscus14 January 2017
one of admirable contemporary series. for the honest manner to present the not comfortable life of five young seminarians. for the precise exam of challenges who defines the activity of Catholic Church in new century. and, sure, for the clash between Vatican and French clergy. it is a sensitive story who presents temptations and errors and regrets, courage and the admirable beauty of vocation and life of Church. it is a subtle fresco of the meet between tradition and present, the right reflection about the need of love, certitude, faith and the perception of world, the other and yourself through the lens of religious faith. the air of each season is the most precious thing. and the basic motif to see a series with impeccable construct of characters and story, proposing questions , proposing sketches of solutions and examining the role of the Church in a high provocative context.
Excellent ensemble show. My favorite since the Wire
tom-m-jardine2 December 2017
I rarely watch a show that can grip me with real, human situations. The Churchmen is subtle, fair and personal. It doesn't pull any punches, but it also has its fair share of heartfelt and funny moments.
The world of the Church is painted with the richness of a living character, not unlike the Wire did for Baltimore. The writing is excellent, not a character is wasted, and with a superb ensemble cast you're in for a treat of just good storytelling.
It's fascinating to watch the behind the scenes politicking of progressives and conservatives battling for control of the Church's future in a world that has almost left it behind. But the real accomplishment of the Churchmen isn't in laying out the problems of the Church. It's in the glimpses of individual courage that show how the Church could become something truly beautiful again.
The world of the Church is painted with the richness of a living character, not unlike the Wire did for Baltimore. The writing is excellent, not a character is wasted, and with a superb ensemble cast you're in for a treat of just good storytelling.
It's fascinating to watch the behind the scenes politicking of progressives and conservatives battling for control of the Church's future in a world that has almost left it behind. But the real accomplishment of the Churchmen isn't in laying out the problems of the Church. It's in the glimpses of individual courage that show how the Church could become something truly beautiful again.
Started out great, then deteriorated
ivorybow3 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I really REALLY wanted to love this series. I got hooked because of the strong characterization, and for that I would give it an 8, but the steady descent into one more tired trip through lust brings it down to 4. As a practicing Catholic, I know many seminarians personally, and I have observed the extreme sacrifice and dedication it takes to get through 10 years (at least here in the US) before ordination. I am endlessly fascinated with the challenges of a true spiritual journey, and the drama of the sublimation of the ego into loving service, and I was hoping and expecting this series to be a treatment of that journey. Instead the series deteriorated into a prurient slog through lust and rapid and eager violation of vows and principles. None of the seminarians I know would ever have the opportunity to rut together in their dorm rooms. One character even pursues cheating with his friend's wife, who happens to also have a small child. Few of these characters are admirable. It's not the sex that I found repellent, it was the easy and willful violation and abandonment of commitments, right out of the gate. There is an over abundance of film and TV depictions of people destroying their lives and the lives of others. How refreshing it would be to see something depicting the struggle to be a great.
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