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Garbage

Seems like the guy who directed this movie grew up thinking that music videos were really small pieces of high cinematic art--and that to make a movie, that's all you really need do. Gabriel Byrne, really a talented actor, wanders and mumbles his way through his scenes, seems like he's just waiting to get to the bar for a cold one and is impatient to have the whole thing done with. Which is what any sane viewer can sympathize with.
Patricia Arquette is now to the point where she's making enough money that she might want to make a small investment in acting lessons. But it's hard to fault her since the writers figure all they have to do is pick up some moldy quotes from a discredited piece of scripture sprinkle them liberally among some other stuff they dug up from underneath a chicken coop and call it deep. The whole thing seems like it was put together by some folks playing hooky on a friday afternoon from their Junior High--I'm surprised it wasn't done on low grade video tape. The movie has been called a ripoff of the Exorcist, but using them in the same sentence is a blasphemy all its own.
More like a poor ripoff of "Beyond The Door" which at least was a funny Exorcist ripoff from the seventies. In fact, now that I think of it, this has a lot in common with "The Exorcist II: The Heretic", now THAT was a bad movie--may "Stigmata" find it's way into the same landfill where they belong.

Total...

...crap! Don't waste your time on this one. I only watched it for Jonathan Pryce. What was he doing in this movie?! I mean, the guy can act his pants off! The story is preposterous and full of holes so big that you could drive a Mac truck through them. Easily the worst "horror" movie that I've ever seen.

excellent...

This is a great movie that has some challenging ideas, especially if you are religious (christian/catholic) and I suspect that is why it's rating is 6.2 or whatever because some have given it a bad rating without seeing it.If you like well-done suspense with a philosophical edge, check it out.

Title says it all.

This movie is well shot. Plenty of foreshadowing helps make this a very enjoyable film to watch. Stigmata is a supernatural suspense story about good, evil, and faith. Frankie Paige played by Patricia Arquette is a hair stylist who has no strong religious convictions until odd things start happening to her after she's given a rosary by her mother: she begins speaking with another person's voice; unknown and unseen forces start to attack her; and she develops stigmata. Some people believe that a holy miracle has been visited on Frankie, though no one can say why. A Cardinal from the Vatican played by Jonathan Pryce sends a priest, Father Andrew Kiernan enjoyably portrayed by Gabriel Byrne, to investigate Frankie and her condition; after getting a first-hand look, Father Andrew finds himself less concerned with whether Frankie's wounds are a legitimate miracle and more concerned with saving her life.

a powerful film that kept my interest

"Stigmata" is one of those films that would keep me up at nights with nightmares. Not only is it a powerful film, it is a terrifying thrill and an intense thinking movie. I am glad that the director brought this subject to the screen because I had no idea what a stigmata was before I saw this film. This was a learning experience I will not soon forget.I couldn't ask for better actors than Gabriel Byrne and Patricia Arquette to portray their respective roles as priest and stigmatic. I previously saw Byrne in "End Of Days" as Satan and I knew he was a very talented actor because he has presence.
You know when Byrne is on the screen because he is just that good. Arquette's natural beauty and raw talent is what attracted me to her in "Stigmata." Her performance should of won her an oscar or emmy award because it was so unique. I don't think I would have liked it if another actress played Frankie Paige. The role just suited Arquette so well.This deserves the attention of anyone who likes movies because of the performances and plot depth. This is an all-around good movie.

It's about an atheist woman who becomes afflicted with the wounds of Christ, and the priest/ scientist who helps her.

This movie is very thought provoking. As the movie advocates, the Church is not needed for one to find God. The Catholic Church--like TV evangelists--has seeming went away from the humble teachings of Jesus. Religion has turned into politics, self glorification, and the quest for wealth (to build grand churches.) Didn't Jesus say something about it being easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than a rich man to get into Heaven? The Church fears that the stigmatic is threatening organized religion by writing text from an unnamed gospel of Christ in his own handwriting. This movie points out that organized religion is concerned more with sustaining itself as it is now than as Jesus taught. The movie also highlights the struggle that priests have with celibacy, as they are still human and tempt-able.

Really,why?

It took 10 minutes of this movie to make me bored. What a story! Ok, so this COULD be an exciting plot, but what a bad way to let us all down. The all to usual love story that just couldn`t happen to be let out of it. The almost pathetic way of realizing the characters. In every aspect, I was so terribly let down. Let`s just forget all about this masterpiece of terrible directing. It is not to be bought at any cost, and I mean that!( They could have put Eddie Murphy in there, and it wouldn`t have mattered even in the slightest!)

Warning

To Whom It May Concern,
I don't know where else I can indicate that the person who has ordered this Rated R video (Nat Bondy) is 16 years old. I'm disturbed by the possibility that she can get her hands on this sort of stuff and order it.

Stigmata

Whether you're a "believer" or not, shouldn't really matter. The idea of Jesus Christ's own writings (not just a translation by Mark, Matthew, John, etc... regarding what he said) is simply intriguing. It's like reading the personal diary of someone famous, instead of reading a story in the tabloids about them. There's simply no comparison.

And the fact that the story is somewhat believable, makes it so much more. Predictable and boring? I think not.

The single most offensive film I have ever seen

I am a firm believer in the freedom of speech, but I am nevertheless very frequently dismayed at those who would choose to abuse this very precious of American freedoms, such as those responsible for the film, "Stigmata." I could begin to criticize it's awful script, seemingly plotless until it's final moments - or it's unnessecarily MTVesque photgraphy and editing, playing like a really long and pointless music video rather than the narrative film that it is SUPPOSED to be...but more than that, I am forced to comment on it's strikingly offensive and ignorant attack on the Catholic church, the Catholic faith, and dare I say Catholics in general. This film portrays the faith and the Church as nothing short of evil, and delivers the final blow with a series of title cards at the film's finale that attempt to "prove" to its audience that there was some major conspiracy in the late 1940's that would disprove the validity of the Catholic faith. As a Christian historian, I can assure anyone that this film did not consult a single competent historian or theologian in an attempt to validate it's ludicrous and utterly ignorant claims against the church. Not only is every "fact" a complete fallacy, but this picture is a deeply personal and offensive attack. Just imagine the backlash from a film that so violently condemned Jew3 or Muslims! There would be riots, but this attack is acceptable? A terrible film, and I condemn all who were involved with it's production.

The distance between masterpiece and mediocre is measured in memories.

That which separates this film from mediocre cinemaStigmata is the story of a Miss Frankie Paige who is cast into the unlikely role, as a contemporary messiah, to experience the stigmata of the Christ by the deceased Almeida, who was working on translating the lost gospels of Jesus Christ, and cannot rest due to a need to purvey the "message moi importante" to the world.. the lost gospels of Jesus. A tour de force, Stigmata touches the eye, the ear, the mind, and the heart.Every interaction of the movie Stigmata is a treatise towards faith, and not in a dogmatic sense, quite the contrary, in a real, physically transcendence. All the way down to the beauty of Paige's warning... the gospel... and her perception of it due to how she is effected throughout this movie. The music is haunting and timeless, Billy Corgan at his best. The stigmata scenes are walked into with systematic eloquence, and not overdone, which is not a easy feat in the least. David Bowie's song, "All the pretty things are going to hell" opens the next chapter, each one representing the pain of transcending our vices, with or without our consent, and in that, lies the heroic realism of Stigmata.Yes, I see the alternate to that, I always do. The causal always has the dichotomy, as the coin has two sides, so does the tide wash out as well as in. We see a tour of force, in the relevance that lies within, we have the best friend who just wants to live carefree, Paige was once like that, doing no wrong in life, but doing no right either... she is forced upon a deeply introspective state, where she is thrust in to a spiritual emergency, and comes out the other side, truly alive, and enlightenment thru her suffering.Many will relate, and many will find the film corny, as did many with Vanilla Sky, and so many other movies that challenge our own ego conceived limitations.The character development is staggering, and one must applaud the actors and the direction for a film which draws you in by the sheer vulnerability, of each scene. Every detail is cared for like a doting parent. Right down to the rays of light that are the texture of the wall behind Paige as she hovers in the form of Christ.. one can go on about this film for quite some time, wax prophetic, poetic, whatever you like, the journey is your own, and I myself, was impressed.

Too Much MTV Influence

The problem with STIGMATA can be summed up in the first five minutes of the movie where a group of priests stand over an open coffin . Subtitles appear as they talk in foreign tongues . The atmosphere is dark and solemn . Then for no real reason blood runs down the screen ala the James Bond opening sequence then we`re treated to a pop video courtesy of Chumbawamba . It`s not actually an official pop video as it`s the opening credit titles but that`s how it plays out as a young man and woman stagger up some stairs to a bedroom where prayers won`t be getting said ( Though no doubt the young woman will be on her knees ! ) so you`ve got two scenes that are at odds with one another and the feel of the movie continues along these lines . The scenes set in America are very MTV with some really silly close up shots while the scenes set in the Vatican are very darkly lit and moody . This is probably done by the director on purpose but this doesn`t mean the scenes are any the less jarring . As for the story and screenplay itself I don`t think I`m all that qualified to criticise it in much detail . I didn`t like it much but I have never liked these " possesed by evil " type movies and I`m on record as having laughed all the way through THE EXORCIST which is what this movie resembled by the end . I will give the screenplay some credit by making the protagonist an atheist thereby saving us from heavy discussions on faith Oh and I just looked up director Rupert Wainwright`s resume who started off by directing - Wait for it - pop videos . Goodness me there`s no way I would have believed that unless I`d seen it in black and white , and talking of black and white Wainwright has directed Michael Jackson videos ! I`m trying to think of a witty line to finish off this review but I don`t think I`ll bother

I read a book so I'll make a film?

Stigmata left me feeling so bored, while the effects are great, the movie is nothing. Who ever wrote this must have just learned what Stigmata meant, so they felt like making a movie based on what they learned. This movie is only for the dim who believe in god anyhow! And the characters are so dumb, I mean there is a scene where Patrica is sitting in a club with her friend - WHO SAW HER STIGMATAING - and her friend says,"You're losing it!" What did she think was going to happen? Oh, maybe I should tell you why she said that, she said you're losing it because Patrica said she might believe in god! Why is it that all movies make a nonbeliever out to be so dark and dumb? This was a poor film, and I'm sorry if anybody liked it.

Interesting, yet flawed film...

At first, I was quite skeptical about seeing this film, which is why I finally went to see it. The trailers were less than extraordinary, but I felt I would give it a shot. `Stigmata' screams a 90s version on `The Exorcist,' but I was interested by most of it. A pet peeve I had about the film was that it was shot like a MTV music video, especially in the opening credits, where it seemed out of place. The premise was quite intriguing: mysterious wounds called Stigmata affect an ordinary young woman. When a Catholic Priest comes to investigate the so-called "miracle", he discovers someone...or something...and a message originating from the time of Jesus Christ may possess this woman. The young woman, played by Patricia Arquette, is a sympathetic character for the audience. I was never truly impressed by Patricia Arquette, even in this difficult role; in fact, the role I liked her best was in `True Romance.' Putting myself in her position, I could imagine what a frightening experience she was going through. The attacks were quite horrifying, like the subway train scene, they were well shot and edited. There was a good performance by Gabriel Byrne as the priest sent to investigate the Stigmatic events.Granted, I am not a very spiritual person, so I am not sure whether the facts presented in the film are accurate. I am basing my critique sorely on its entertainment level and its conviction. There were ways of making this film more successful; for instance, a stronger actress could have been a bit more convincing and some camerawork could have been less flashy and more along the lines of `Seven.' As far as I'm concerned, `Stigmata' isn't a bad movie, but not a great one either. I was entertained by the film, but I couldn't help thinking there were better ways to improve it. I would recommend this film based on the violent attacks on Patricia Arquette's character, for they are worth the price of admission.

Too much style, but Arquette was good

That this movie was directed by someone who's a graduate from the "music video school of arts" is evident from first to last frame. Every visual is carefully set up and there is a frequent use of slow-motion and fast editing. These visuals are all very impressive, and some are real eye-opener, but they tend to get tiresome after a while. The use of dripping water in slo-mo made me giggle the 20th time. And some acting is caught in all these style. Gabriel Byrne just walks around, looking confused and expressing two or three facial expressions. Jonathan Pryce fares just as bad with his one note portrayal. However, one exception to all this is Patricia Arquette! She is likeable and almost believable in her part. You really care for her and if she lives or dies which is more than can be said about the other characters (maybe except Nia Long, who is given far too little to do but does what she does well). And the movies ending is disappointing considering the elaborate build-up.

Rock out, I guess...

A typical, atheist, New York woman is just going about her life, "liking being me," when suddenly she starts having seizures... and after the fits wakes up to find wounds on her that match the wounds received by Christ. An investigative priest comes to figure out what's happening, and the two set out to discover what's happening, ultimately uncovering a big Vatican conspiracy.The movie has a lot going for it, especially with an untypical character receiving the stigmata and the great cast it has built up (Patricia Arquette and Jonathan Pryce especially). It also has Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins doing the score, but that apparent benefit is also one of the film's minor failings... A score should undertone and strengthen a film's drama, but this movie with its excessive (and repetitive) fast-paced editing, directorial fat, and overfocus on the music makes it seem much more like an hour and a half long music video.That's cool if you're wanting a music video. However, I don't imagine many people approach this film from this direction. I would have preferred more focus on the rest of the craft of the movie, but that's just me.It's also slightly predictable in that not-good-predictable way. There's one scene that seems kind of excessive but is foreshadowed earlier, though that doesn't mean it was necessary. Overall the film just got too caught up with being some visual/musicy slamfest to slow down and think about what it was trying to do.--PolarisDiB

I don´t know

Nice idea, nice pictures, but the actual composition of the story could still need a bit of work-out. The first 3/4 of the film kick of like a nice intro, but one soon keeps missing the plot, which does not evolve as soon as at the end of the film. In the end this is a bit disappointing, because the story itself is not as bad as it seems.

Pretentious!

This is one silly, pretentious, little film,very confused (by no means confusing) and judging by its imagery and sentiments aimed directly at minds raised on MTV. Please! People of faith will not be moved. The admonition, as I picked through the mire that is this film, was to be not like "whited sepulchers..full of dead men's bones and corruption" to have a living faith... Gee, who said that, I wonder? It's in the Gospels. As far as this little flick is concerned: No "revelations" here. Read the Book instead!

Much sound and fury, but insignificant

Frankie (Patricia Arquette) works in a low-rent beauty salon. Somehow, she comes into possession of the rosary beads of a now-deceased priest who witnessed a statue suffering from stigmata - a condition in which the afflicted bleeds in the same locations as Christ did when he was crucified. It's not long before Frankie's suffering the same types of wounds, but unlike the statue, her wounds are real. What could be behind such strange activities? Is there skullduggery afoot?Gabriel Byrne plays a priest assigned by the Vatican to investigate claims of stigmata. Naturally, he's intrigued by Frankie's wounds and suspects they're real. Also naturally, he falls a little for Frankie. Hey, this is Hollywood, and this stuff happens! Don't ask me to explain why...This movie is big on special effects, big on loud music, big on pomp but small on circumstance. It's mostly style, with little substance. Makes you wonder what would have happened if the script had been adapted into an Indiana Jones movie - now THAT would have been intriguing! Byrne is his usual solid, stone-faced self, and Arquette is her usual one-note self as well. Don't look for deep meaning in this trifling.

Thought provoking

The movie was very thought provoking and sheds a different light on the church than they would have liked. It shows that although the Catholic Church is important in supporting the teachings of Christ,it is just that and not the personal voice of God. The alternate ending was different and it was real difficult to not pay attention to it's message. This is a must have DVD if you like thought provoking films that question your faith and beliefs. Enjoy!