DVD Review: By The Grace Of God

By The Grace Of God is a powerful film about a group of men who work to get the Catholic Church to remove a priest who abused them as children. It stars Melvil Poupaud, Denis Menochet and Swann Arlaud, and was directed by François Ozon (who also directed Swimming  Pool and Young & Beautiful). While a title card at the beginning states it is a work of fiction, this film is based on real events, and takes place over a period of two and a half years.

When the film opens, we are introduced to Alexandre Guerin (Melvil Poupaud), a married man in his forties. And actually, he introduces himself to us in voice over, as we see his family preparing to go out. He tells us of running into a friend who asked him, “Did Father Preynat fondle you too?” And then he asks, “Did you know?” It is such an unsettling question, because it feels like he is addressing us, especially because at this point we don’t know to whom he has written his letter. It feels like we are complicit somehow, which is interesting, because as the movie progresses we learn how a lot of people did know – or at least suspected – without doing much, or anything, to stop it, and how some of them regret their inaction. We also hear the official response from Cardinal Barbarin, a response that seems to not brush off what happened, a response that seems to offer help.

And thus begins Alexandre’s journey, one of both hope and mounting frustration. A meeting is arranged between him and the priest, and while the priest does not deny anything, and even admits that he abused many other boys, he also does not ask for forgiveness or agree to Alexandre’s demand that he admit publicly what he has done. He puts concerns of his own safety over the welfare of his victims. While Alexandre wants the priest to ask for forgiveness, he isn’t certain he could give it. As he and the priest, along with a mediator, pray together, it is clear that this has not eased Alexandre’s suffering, or relieved him of his anger. It is an intense moment. And it is only the beginning of his quest for some justice, for some peace. And this quest soon involves other men, other families, and the film follows their stories as well. François Debord (Denis Menochet) and Emmanuel Thomassin (Swann Arlaud) take up the fight, and are able to actually press charges, since for them the statute of limitations has not yet expired.

As fascinating as their struggle is, I find the reactions of the various families react to the news of the abuse to be equally engaging. Alexandre’s wife and children are supportive, and his oldest sons even go to the cardinal on behalf of their father. His parents, on the other hand, are not at all supportive, and are actually quite dismissive, even awful, to him regarding the issue. And we see how the abuse has not only affected the men, but also their families. When Alexandre’s children are told, one of them asks, “Is that why we don’t go to scouts?” “Yes,” Alexandre answers.

The story, as you can imagine, is compelling, and even the first section of the film, when much of the information is delivered in voice over, is completely riveting. The film contains brief flashbacks as certain characters remember events from their childhood, and these scenes are unsettling, infuriating and even heartbreaking. The performances are all excellent, including that by Bernard Verley as the priest who assaulted the boys. Because of the story, but also because of these performances, By The Grace Of God is a film that will stay with you.

Special Features

The DVD contains several special features, including a question and answer session with film director François Ozon, François Devaux, who was one of the victims, and Yves Baumgarten, a representative of the Catholic Church in Lyon, and actually the person who replaced Barbarin. François Ozon talks a bit about the project, and how he came to make a film addressing this subject, including his choice for keeping the real names of those involved. Yves Baumgarten is honest about the church’s failings. From the moment we get the first question from the audience, it is clear this will be no ordinary film Q&A. This question and answer session was held on April 6, 2019, and this feature is approximately thirty-seven minutes.

There are also several deleted scenes, including two flashbacks to the victims’ childhoods, and a scene in which Father Preynat receives a plate for his service to the parish and then presents the children of the parish each with a small statue. Also included are short pieces on recording the film’s score and the costume tests, as well as a photo gallery and the film’s trailer.

By The Grace Of God was released on DVD on March 3, 2020 through Music Box Films.