Jump to the good stuff: The Story | Some Thoughts | The Final Verdict
The Story:
Saint Narcisse is a drama set in the early 1970s. It’s about Dominic (Félix-Antoine Duval), a young man obsessed with his own image who has visions of himself in a monk’s robe.
Raised by his grandmother after his father’s passing, Dominic had been told his whole life that his mother died in childbirth. After his grandmother’s death, he discovers that his mother is alive, and that she’d written to him over the years and the letters had been hidden away.
Eager to re-connect with his mother, Dominic travels to the town of Saint Narcisse, where he was born, to find her. Once there, he discovers that she is a lesbian and possibly a witch. And not only that, but there is a monastery nearby with a monk who looks very much like himself. And with that, the drama begins.
Some Thoughts:
Saint Narcisse is an arthouse film with a plot like a 1970s B-movie. The cinematography is beautiful and well thought out, which makes it a perfect fit for the artsy crowd. And despite being set in the past, its themes of self-obsession and being ostracized for not fitting into societal norms are relevant today.
Director Bruce LaBruce has a very specific vision and knows enough about cinema to make it happen. Everything about this movie is deliberate, from the outrageous plot to the bad acting, and it all comes together for a delightfully cheesy experience that’s unbelievable. To explain any of the over-the-top antics would ruin it, so go into Saint Narcisse knowing as little as possible. However, if incest is a trigger for you, stay clear of this movie.
If you’re looking for a film that’s crazy and edgy, Saint Narcisse is a good choice. See it with friends, you’ll have a lot to talk about when it’s over.
The Final Verdict:
Saint Narcisse is an outrageous arthouse delight. It’s not afraid to offend while commenting on our self-obsessed culture.