The Diva's
"Stigmata" Review

Stigmata (1999)
Viewed at Loews' Uptown Theater
Rated R; approximate running time of 142 minutes
Directed by: Rupert Wainwright
Written by: Tom Lazarus
Starring: Patricia Arquette, Gabriel Byrne, Jonathan Pryce, Nia Long, Dick Latessa, Portia de Rossi, Patrick Muldoon, Rade Sherbedgia
Genre: Thriller/ Horror

The Digest

Patricia Arquette is Frankie Paige a young hairdresser in Philly who likes to party. She receives a package from her mother that contains a rosary. Her mother is traveling in Brazil and bought it off of a little street urchin. What moms doesn't know is that the rosary belonged to the town priest who just died. She also doesn't know that there has been some weird stuff going on in that priest's church. Like doves, water dripping in reverse and statue of the Virgin Mary weeping blood. Father Andrew (Gabriel Byrne) is there to investigate all of the strange occurrences.

Meanwhile, the instant Frankie opens the package, she begins to feel weird. Next thing you know, ole girl gets these wounds in her wrists (wrists as opposed to hands is explained in the movie). After other wounds appear, it is determined that she has the 'Stigmata' or the 5 wounds of Christ. No one believes it at first because she is an atheist and Stigmata afflict only the devout. The Vatican sends chief investigator, Father Andrew to see what's going on and debunk the claims. He reluctantly goes. After the initial interview, he is ready to write Frankie off, until he actually sees the wounds for himself. He becomes determined to unravel the mystery and save Frankie before she gets the 5th wound, which will kill her.

Here is where the scope of the movie changes. We find out that it's not really about the Stigmata, but something that will hold dire consequences for the church....no I'm not going to tell you so don't ask. It's got a lackluster ending and the plot twist really isn't a twist, but more like a plot "shimmy" .

The Dish

If you want to spend 2 hours of your life watching a social commentary on the ills of the Catholic Church, then "Stigmata" is the movie you can not afford to miss. And even then your 2 hours will feel like 12.

I swear the last 4 or 5 movies are going to drive me to drink. I don't drink alcohol, but maybe I should have taken a few swigs of 'Night Train' or 'Mad Dog 20-20' to dull the pain of having had to sit through this movie.

Truthfully it's not the worse movie I've seen. Y'all know it's Universal Soldier. I guess my disappointment stems from the fact that I was expecting to see the 90's version of "The Exorcist" that and the plot was pretty weak.

Nia Long is once again playing someone who didn't really need to be there. At least they didn't kill her off. And can I be catty for a second? Patricia girl, you are married to Nicholas Cage, I know you can afford it...get your grill fixed. Nothing wrong with wearing braces in your 30's. You are too cute to have jacked up "teef"

The Directive

Well, I'll get right to it. If you are expecting "The Exorcist" then keep your little chump change and get your nails done.

I really wouldn't rush out to see this,wait for the video.