'Stigmata': Bodily marks or pains resembling the wounds of the crucified Christ.
"Stigmata" is not an unintelligent film, but its intelligence is deeply flawed. While ostensibly dealing with the warring opposites of faith in revelation versus rational or scientific objectivity in one of the Vatican"s investigative priests, Father Kiernan (Gabriel Byrne); the film seems overtly determined to criticize the Catholic Church at the expense of storytelling.
The corruption which is rife in Catholicism is no secret and the abominable crimes committed by them since the death of the last Apostles is common knowledge, but here this film seems all too determined to depict the Church as a covert agency in the manner of the CIA harbouring conspiracies to cover up the truth of Jesus" life, alleged truth that will bring on the collapse of the Church after almost two thousand years of lies: and it all hangs on a supposed Gospel containing the very sayings of Christ himself: the famous Gnostic Gospel of Thomas, who supposedly is the incredulous "doubting Thomas" of the canonical Gospels.
This film is not so much about the phenomenon of stigmata but turns into a mediocre supernatural thriller involving spiritistic possession which negates all seriousness that the film might have. "Stigmata" has a confused and trite theology which quickly falls into sensationalism, treating the viewer to exceptionally violent scenes of so-called stigmatic attack, which are not stigmatic attacks at all, but violent possession of a young atheistic woman (Patricia Arquette) by the indignant spirit of a priest. "Stigmata" concludes unfortunately with a ludicrous scene involving a failed exorcism and a Cardinal trying to strangle the said atheist. Inevitably one feels by the end of the film that one is watching a farce - we are no longer in the realm of religion or serious narrative but the Hollywood circus.
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Frankie has no cares or worries and certainly no faith in God. All that changes when she begins to suffer the Stigmata - living wounds of the crucified Christ. It is soon discovered that Frankie could be channelling a message that could destroy the Church - and must be silenced...
Patricia Arquette and Gabriel Byrne star in this supernatural horror. When it comes to God, Pittsburgh hairdresser Frankie Paige (Arquette) is a firm non-believer. However, after receiving some rosary beads as a gift, Frankie begins suffering from stigmata - bleeding wounds on her hands correlating with those suffered by Christ on the cross. Father Andrew Kiernan (Byrne) is sent to investigate by the Vatican, and although initially dismissive, he gradually begins to realise that Frankie is carrying an important message for mankind. However, Kiernan's corrupt superior, Cardinal Houseman (Jonathan Pryce), wants Frankie's message stopped, and is prepared to resort to extreme lengths to achieve his aims.
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