Film Threat

It's not often that a film changes history, but it's just possible that Irish writer-director John Deery's righteously energetic Conspiracy of Silence just might help alter the course of 21st century Catholicism.

The Hollywood Reporter by Michael Rechtshaffen

A challenging, thought-provoking debut that compassionately questions the relevance of celibacy in the Catholic Church.

The New York Times

Deery's modest drama is one big, obvious argument against the vow of celibacy for Roman Catholic priests, but it has heart.

Variety

Deery lays out a story devoid of subtlety, in which characters are too easily pigeonholed and issues exist only in absolutes.

New York Post by V.A. Musetto

Touches on issues raised in "Bad Education," but without Pedro Almodovar's flamboyant elegance.

New York Daily News by Jack Mathews

Deery's points are well-taken, but they would have been a lot better made if he hadn't taken so many easy shots at the church by demonizing its local authorities.

Christian Science Monitor by David Sterritt

The story meanders, but the subject is timely and important.

Entertainment Weekly by Lisa Schwarzbaum

Want Jesuitical fineness of argument? Look elsewhere. This one merely answers the prayers of those looking for an argument.

Village Voice

Due to Conspiracy's TV-movie simplicity, it's unclear whether this is an actual issue, or just something spicy to be cooked up in the potboiler.

The A.V. Club by Nathan Rabin

A well-intentioned but ultimately incompetent Irish dud.