The Reluctant Saint

I regard this as one of the most significant movies I have ever seen. Perhaps even more meaningful because I had never heard of it and did not expect it to be so beautiful at so many levels. The story of Saint Joseph of Cupertino, as it is described here, is a triumph of blessed simplicity, innocence and childlike sainthood. The emphasis, far from being on the saint's miraculous and spectacular levitations, is rather, as I see it, on the contrast between the way of spontaneous spirituality and the path of spiritual discipline, with the two being luminously reconciled throughout the movie. I believe this film can reach the hearts of many, believers and non-believers, providing space both for tears and laughter. In some way it looks as a Christian version of "Being There" and "Forrest Gump". I hope and trust it will also be available as DVD.

Set in 17th century Italy, it tells how a clumsy young man, Joseph of Cupertino (Maximilian Schell) achieves holiness . He was born the son of Felice Desa (Arnoldo Foà) and Frencesca Panara (Lea Padovani) in the village of Cupertino, in the Region of Apulia, then in the Kingdom of Naples. His father having died before his birth, however, the family home was seized to settle the large debts he had left, and his mother was forced to give birth to him in a stable. Joseph is pressured to enter a monastery, thanks to a kind bishop (Akim Tamiroff) is picked up by monks (Ricardo Montalban, Harold Goldblatt, Carlo Croccolo...). The simple and honest young pursues full priesthood and he does so, and that's why he surprises everyone by passing the entrance exam to study for the priesthood, so he joins the Franciscan order. Later on, Joseph happening an ecstasy in some touching scenes, then he performs a miracle, but this is only the first of many surprises from the man who would become Saint Joseph Cupertino. The picture that's got everything ! ... plus the surprise of your life !

This a perceptible and feeling movie full of mirth, humor touches , and enjoyable message. At the same time the film gives us an agreeable panorama about monastery life, its religiosity , and goodness ; furthermore , the ordiary oration , sacrifice , work , companionship and various situations happen in monastic existence. There a simple young man thought by many in his village to be an idiot, carries out a series of holy acts that eventually ensures his sainthood. Its perfect developing resides on superb characters incarnated by the main role Maximilian Schell who gives a very sympathetic performance, though overacting at times and the good-natured priests, well played by Ricardo Montalban, Akim Tamiroff, Harold Goldblatt, Carlo Croccolo, Giacomo Rossi Stuart, among others . This unknown picture was well written/produced/directed by Edward Dmytryk. In my opinion this is one of the best religious films to come out of Europe in the decade of the 60s along with ¨Marcelino bread and wine¨. The picture will touch the hearts of numerous spectators . Rating : 7/10. Above average.

Adding more biographical details to those already explained in the film: Joseph of Cupertino (1603 -1663) was an Italian Conventual Franciscan friar who is honored as a Christian mystic and saint. According to traditional Franciscan accounts, he was "remarkably unclever", but experienced miraculous levitation and ecstatic visions throughout his life which made him the object of scorn. He applied to the Conventual Franciscan friars, but was rejected due to his lack of education. He then pleaded with them to serve in their stables. After several years of working there, he had impressed the friars so much with the devotion and simplicity of his life that he was admitted to their Order, destined to become a Catholic priest, in 1625. Joseph began to experience ecstatic visions as a child, which were to continue throughout his life, and made him the object of scorn. His life was not helped by his frequent outbursts of anger. He was soon apprenticed by his uncle to a shoemaker. Feeling drawn to religious life, in 1620 he applied to the Conventual Franciscan friars, but was rejected due to his lack of education. He then applied to the Capuchin friars in Martino, near Taranto, by whom he was accepted in 1620 as a lay brother, but he was dismissed as his continued ecstasies made him unfit for the duties required of him. After Joseph returned to the scorn of his family, he pleaded with the Conventual friars near Cupertino to be allowed to serve in their stables. After several years of working there, he had so impressed the friars with the devotion and simplicity of his life that he was admitted to their Order, destined to become a Catholic priest, in 1625. He was ordained a priest on 28 March 1628. He was then sent to the convent of Santa Maria della Grotella, just outside Cupertino, where he spent the next 15 year. After this point, the occasions of ecstasy in Joseph's life began to multiply. It was claimed that he began to levitate while participating at the Mass or joining the community for the Divine Office, thereby gaining a widespread reputation of holiness among the people of the region and beyond. He was deemed disruptive by his religious superiors and church authorities, however, and eventually was confined to a small cell, forbidden from joining in any public gathering of the community. As the phenomenon of flying or levitation was widely believed to be connected with witchcraft, Joseph was denounced to the Inquisition. At their command, he was transferred from one Franciscan friary in the region to another for observation, first to Assisi (1639-1653), and finally Fossombrone, where he lived with and under the supervision of the Capuchin friars (1653-1657). He practiced severe asceticism throughout his life, usually eating solid food only twice a week, and adding bitter powders to his meals. He passed 35 years of his life following this regimen. Finally, Joseph was allowed to return to a Conventual community.

St. Joseph of Cupertino could easily be the patron saint of slapstick comedians. This young man resembles the kind of character you might find in a Jerry Lewis, Laurel & Hardy or Mr. Bean picture. He's not that bright, is scorned at by the well to do, and seems to destroy expensive and valuable items in his vicinity. But in the end he comes out on top as an inspiring figure who has beat the odds and has achieved remarkable success in some way or other. It is a compelling religious drama with lots of humorous touches, but could easily have been a great slapstick comedy (or even a musical) having great sight gags and physical comedy (and great musical numbers) and still retain its Christian themes and tone. The great thing about his film however is that it is based on a real person and real events and not a character created by a talented comedian.

'The Reluctant Saint' (could easily have been 'The Unlikely Saint) paints a picture of what God can do with a humble soul who desires nothing but to serve Him despite anything negative that might happen in their lives. This makes the picture worth watching coupled with the overall artistic quality of the film. The No. 1 virtue of The Reluctant Saint is humility. Humility naturally pushes Ego out the door of the soul, thus it doesn't get in the way of the Holy Spirit, who can then perform the impossible. And that is what he does in JOC's (Maximilian Schell) life. Despite his clumsy bumbling (including destroying a vineyard and a 200 statue of the virgin Mary), mistreatment by others, (including his own loving Italian mama, the youths of the village, and fellow brother monks), and poor academic skills, he manages to make friends with important people of serious rank and authority. Which leads to the impossible.

Although not being too bright he gets enough theology to explain the Trinity to Bishop Durso (Akim Tamiroff), the vicar-general of the Franciscan order visiting the Franciscan monastery where JOC is at. " One blanket and one, two, three folds. Three folds in one blanket - three persons in one God, like the Trinity." This lesson of truth and his tender delivery and care of two baby lambs earns him the respect and friendship of the good bishop who then basically makes him a priest despite his poor academic studies. His favorite bible passage Luke 15 about the lost sheep, comes in handy on his rather short road to the ordained life.

By making friends with the virgin Mary and offering her respect he ends up with the ability of levitation (or flight). When you know the right people in high places, the things you can do. These special gifts never inflate his ego, he would still rather sleep in the barn with the animals instead of the nice comfortable cell that he gets.

Despite displays of holiness, humility and sanctity, some of this brother monks still dislike JOC as if he was a piece of foot fungus they wanted to get rid off. Chief members of the anti JOC fan club include the hunchbacked stable hand Gobbo (Carlo Croccolo) and one of the head monks Don Raspi (Ricardo Montalban). They create an antagonistic atmosphere around JOC, enabling him to transcend their smug pride by hovering above it.

'You shouldn't be reluctant to rent, buy or watch The Reluctant Saint'. It is a reminder that the unlikely and reluctant are the very ones that God wishes to use as an example of who he is looking for to join the ranks of the inspiring men and women we call saints. The film is also a reminder that great inspiring Christian films do actually exist.

St. Joseph of Cupertino pray for us.

Well-acted by the lead characters. It's very touching in its simplicity and message . It's a perfectly done, you would want to see it over and over.Great cinematography that captures a believable atmosphere of the era. Maximillian Schell was perfect in his portrayal of this humble saint ,exuded innocence and charm . Lea Padovani who played Giuseppe's mother and Gobbo(Carlo Croccolo) are unforgettable characters that provided some of the movie's humor . And how can I forget the Antagonist ,Don Raspi (Ricardo Montalban) whose envy was never a hurdle to Giuseppe . its so good . so original . Just plain good! I wish people made more movies like this . Good movies is like a dying art .

An excellent movie that I deeply appreciated. I give this high marks for its respectful representation of the life of a simple saint. At times, the movie is certainly dated, but the humor and truth of it remains. I recommend this movie with some disclaimers; its not terribly exciting or romantic; its just a good, clear biography of a saint.