After Dominic (Francesco Carnelutti),a priest who is one of the last of the Carolingian order, dies of an apparent suicide, the other two remaining Carolingians, Alex Bernier (Heath Ledger) and Thomas Garret (Mark Addy),come to Rome to learn what happened. While there, they discover that something much more sinister is afoot.

I can see why The Order would have difficulty being commercially successful. And that's too bad, because this is an excellent film. The "problem" leading to a commercial struggle is that writer/director Brian Helgeland created a very intelligent script that assumes the viewer does not need everything spelled out to them. This is a film that opens by placing us in the middle of a complex world, with a deep history, so that we have to pay attention and do a bit of detective work to get up to speed initially. The script is full of unexplained references to beliefs and traditions of the Catholic Church and "orders" such as Carolingians and Jesuits. It is densely packed with clever dialogue, subtle puns and other kinds of literary devices and references. It uses, and some understanding of the film depends on, occasional phrases in Latin, Aramaic, French and Italian (although most of the important words and phrases are translated for us). This is not a light "popcorn" movie, and it is a slow burner. If you were not to fully pay attention and actively think about the film, you could easily become lost or confused.

The performances are superb. Alex, Thomas, Mara Sinclair (Shannyn Sossamon),William Eden (Benno Furmann),and Driscoll (Peter Weller) all seem like real people with complex personalities and back stories. Visually, Helgeland creates and sustains an incredible eerie atmosphere throughout the film. It's so remarkable that a repeated viewing focusing only on the production design, cinematography and composition would be very rewarding. The music, by David Torn, one of my favorite modern composers and musicians, is exceptional. And the relatively sparse visual effects are beautiful, well placed and appropriately surreal.

The story is captivating and becomes more so as it continues. It is wonderfully "gray" about its subject matter when it counts. This is a film that not only bears but demands repeated viewings, but you have to be able to slow down and think while viewing--don't expect action set pieces (although there are a couple minor bits of action),a gorefest, or MTV-styled editing.

The ending of The Order cries out for a sequel, but not because the ending is at all incomplete, or because there was a monster who just wouldn't die. However, given that the film only grossed a fraction of its 38 million dollar budget, those of us who are fans of this film will have to keep our fingers crossed.

A 10 out of 10 from me.

Alex Bernier (Heath Ledger) is a priest and a Carolingians. The Dark Pope or Sin Eater can remove sin from anyone who can then go to heaven. This is heresy to the Roman Catholic Church. Mara Williams (Shannyn Sossamon) escaped from the asylum after shooting Alex during an exorcism. Alex and Mara go to Rome after the death of the Carolingian leader who was killed by the mysterious Sin Eater. Alex has to hunt him down with the help of fellow Carolingian Thomas Garrett (Mark Addy) under the command of Driscoll (Peter Weller).

It's a rare thing to say but this movie needs more exposition. It's a mess of a story that somebody needs to explain to the audience. It doesn't work as a supernatural action movie either. Writing/director Brian Helgeland calls in his actors from 'A Knight's Tale' but this is a diametrically opposite movie. There are some silly looking stuff that are suppose to be seriously dark. None of it actually works.

I think religious thrillers have a hard time in Hollywood. A lot of them feel murky and unfocused, skirting with the issues of the church rather than fully engaging with them. The mainstream interest of depictions of the intricacies, intrigue and plotting within the various churches just isn't there, so writers have to involve ever more outlandish plot ingredients in order to attract attention.

THE SIN EATER involves the concept of special people who have the ability to 'suck out' the sins from a person, taking them into their own body. The actor playing the sin eater in this, Bruno Furmann, is effectively mysterious but the film overall isn't. Heath Ledger's leading character is boringly righteous, Mark Addy is miscast, and Shannyn Sossamon there for eye candy alone. Peter Weller (ROBOCOP) is better, but gets too little screen time. The CGI effects are silly. The ending is a particular disappointment, descending into farce with a stock villain who must be thwarted; very Hollywood and very predictable.