In Last Rites, a serious thriller on a sensational topic, a priest falls in love with a woman he is protecting. Father Michael (Tom Berenger), a priest with family ties to the mob, helps a woman on the run. Angela (Daphne Zuniga) is the mistress of a murdered Mafia Don, now being hunted by hit men (Adrian Paul, Vassili Lambrinos) hired by the Don's infuriated wife. As Father Michael realizes he is falling in love, both his faith and his vows are severely tested. Directed with restraint and respect for the subject matter by Donald Bellisario, the film still caused controversy and was criticized because of love scenes between the priest and the woman. Despite this criticism and despite the fact that the film is somewhat slow and predictable, Last Rites has fine performances by its cast and is an entertaining thriller.
Last Rites was a small role for Adrian, but his first big screen role. Adrian appeared as Tony, a Mafia bodyguard/hit man, who was hunting the witness of a Mafia killing. Adrian's character dies chasing Berenger's character on a winding mountain road in Mexico when his car collides with an oncoming truck.
Cast
Producers
Adrian Paul
Tom Berenger
Daphne Zuniga
Chick Vennera
Anne Twomey
Dane Clark
Paul Dooley
Vassili Lambrinos
Tony
Father Michael Pace
Angela De Vega, aka Martinez
Nuzo
Zena
Don Carlo
Father Freddie
Tio
Donald P. Bellisario
Patrick McCormick
Cinematography by David Watkin
Director
Donald P. Bellisario
producer
producer
Music
Bruce Broughton
Director Cameo[Donald P. Bellisario] Man getting out of the taxi cab that Angela and Father Freddie take, about 63 minutes into the movie.
Tom Berenger's wife Lisa and child Chelsea appear in the baptism scene.
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