Film Journal 2024: Cabrini

Film Journal 2024: Cabrini
Directed by Alejandro Gómez Monteverde

The film dedintiely has its issues- it’s far too long given the material it is working with, and this is made more aware by some poor editing choices, both of which challenge the story structure and prolonge the conflict past its effectiveness on a narrative level.

The film is also marred, in my opinion, by the studios decision to submit it to its now notorious pay it forward ticket campaign, popularized by the studio’s release of the controversial Sound of Freedom. If it felt misplaced and agendified with Sound of Freedom, here it just feels entirely out of sync with the subject matter (a story about a genuine Saint who made a real difference in social and political matters in a hands on way). Even if it isn’t true, the whole pay it forward campaign creates the perception that the good is in buying a ticket and watching a movie made by this studio and by this Director. Which of course diminishes the role of art and the Christian vocation.

The story itself though is compelling, even if it ultimately becomes a means of doubling down on the American context of its venerable Saint (her work was global, and her work was technically as an Italian). And that real life story feels authentic in its telling, aided at least in part by a figure who lacked controversy. There are some inspired moments, especially when it came to her visionary approach to turning buildings and spaces into opportunities, and I thought the performances were all decent to good, even if the script keeps some of the depth buried beneath the surface. I definitely didn’t hate or begrudge it, and I even found myself inspired by portions of it.

What remains strange to me, just to add this in, is that given the clear marketing campaign that attaches this film to Sound of Freedom, the nature of this film, thematically speaking and as a message, seems to me to be one that the target audience of Sound of Freedom would actively resist and attach to the “liberal Hollywood” they are trying to counter. A film that celebrates immigration and immigrants along with shedding light on the problem of gender inequality is typically on the list of things that the target audience believes liberal hollywood is corrupting us with. I have no idea if this will prove true, but something in me says that the whole pay it forward thing will backfire in this case, as I just can’t see it being embraced in the same way.

I myself would recommend the film though. Its not great, but I think it has enough there to make it worth checking out.