Crónicas de una santa errante

Many of us would probably look upon the traits of piety and ambition as a somewhat unlikely, perhaps even contradictory combination of qualities. The temptation to take questionable short-cuts on the path to spiritual fulfillment and maturity thus might be a little too great to remain true to one’s otherwise-authentic spiritual intentions. And that’s just what Rita López (Mónica Villa), an allegedly reverent aging parish custodian from a rural Argentine village, finds out for herself in writer-director Tomás Gómez Bustillo’s debut feature, an offbeat supernatural comedy-drama that defies easy categorization. The hard-working but underappreciated caretaker, who’s trapped in a childless, under-satisfying marriage to her needy husband, Norberto (Horacio Marassi), prays for a miracle to rectify her unrewarding circumstances, and she believes she finds it when she discovers what’s thought to be a long-missing statue of the Virgin Mary that disappeared mysteriously. But is it authentic? Rita’s not completely sure, but with a little cosmetic doctoring and begrudging assistance from her husband, she convinces herself that she’s made a legitimate find that genuinely qualifies as a miracle, one that can put her on a path to enlightenment, if not sainthood. However, her overly zealous fudging of the facts unwittingly launches her onto an incredible, unexpected, eye-opening, surrealistic odyssey that brings her face to face with her own truth and destiny. The film accomplishes this through a clever and inspired mix of gentle but inventive humor, touching moments and heartfelt revelations. This three-time 2023 Independent Spirit Award nominee is an odd but delicious little gem of a movie, one ably supported by its gorgeous cinematography, emotive background score and simple but whimsical special effects. Admittedly, several story elements could use some shoring up and greater development, along with brisker pacing in the opening 30 minutes. The film’s credits are also somewhat strangely placed, coming between the picture’s first and second acts rather than at the more typical beginning or end. Nevertheless, those who appreciate the unconventional are sure to relish this quirky offering, one that previously had a brief and limited theatrical run but is now thankfully available for streaming online. So give it a look. You just might find it to be an answer to your cinematic prayers.