Stations of the Cross

This exceptional movie graphically illustrates what religious indoctrination does to the mind and thinking of a child and is about as far removed from the Biblical manifestation of the LOVE of God as it's possible to get. Based on Catholic theology, the story follows a teenage girl's idealistic pursuit to get to heaven by achieving religious purity through self denial and repression. Her devout mother rules her family with an iron fist never passing up an opportunity to denigrate and poison her daughter with barbs of criticism and verbal flagellation. Her father is depicted as weak and hen-pecked into a state of total submission. Inevitably this results in a predictable breakdown for the vulnerable young girl and is heart-breaking to watch. Yet, this is a compelling, almost necessary, story that is extremely well written and superbly acted by all the players. This is well worth watching whatever faith or background you come from.