Watching The Sacrament on Netflix the other day, another film came to mind: The Celebration 1998 by. Thomas Vinterberg. Both are dealing with family reunions and secrets reveals. Hugo Clause's The Sacrament is a brutally honest comedic tragedy with many surprises until the very end of this well done film directed by the author of the book. The story flows pleasantly and the acting is superb with a great cast, even Claude the eccentric gay character (who is criticized for overacting in the previous reviews) is a fresh air among the older family members who are at odds with one and other all the time. His secret is tragic since THEM and the ignorant society messed him up by not accepting and supporting him as he is but was sent to "rehabilitation" to some idiot conversion therapy doctor. Just recently these money making practices by Christian organizations were forbidden in some USA states.
I adored Natalie, the sweet, innocent, loving and devoted character who at the end of the film is devastated and loosing all she had going on so well so far. Everything is centered around Deedee, the closeted gay catholic priest who is letting this yearly celebration to happen in his home and I suspect the reason being the cute young sexy Claude. Surprise after surprise in the collective behavior and secrets revealed one by one. It is an artistic well written, directed and acted for those who love the 7th art.
