Ordinary Sinner (2002)

17% of critics liked it
(12 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(62 ratings)

A young man struggles to sort out his feelings and his future as a wave of intolerance sweeps through a college town in this drama. Peter Thompson (Brendan P. Hines) was a student at a seminary studying to be an Episcopalian minister, until a tragic incident involving another student caused him to… More A young man struggles to sort out his feelings and his future as a wave of intolerance sweeps through a college town in this drama. Peter Thompson (Brendan P. Hines) was a student at a seminary studying to be an Episcopalian minister, until a tragic incident involving another student caused him to question his faith and his calling. Peter moves to a college town in Vermont, where he gets a job in a pizza joint run by Mike (Peter Onorati), and reconnects with Father Ed (A. Martinez), a gruff but caring streetwise priest who had been Peter's mentor. Peter also renews his friendship with a buddy from school, Alex (Kris Park), who introduces Peter to his good friend Rachel (Elizabeth Banks). Rachel is quite attracted to Peter, and before long she's deprived him of his virginity. While Peter tries to sort out the new changes in his life, a shocking gay bashing incident soon polarizes the town, and Father Ed steps forward to publicly announce that he's a homosexual -- and Mike is his lover. As tensions between anti-gay extremists and pro-gay activists increase, the murder of a gay man brings matters to a boil, and forces Peter, Rachel, and Alex to come to terms with their identities as well as their pasts. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: John Henry Davis
Written By: William Mahone
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Dec 31, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Oct 14, 2003
Studio: Jour de Fete Films

Critic Reviews

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
While Ordinary Sinner manages to capture the sense of confusion and uncertainty a young man experiences at a crossroads in his life, it is a slack and preachy business that never comes to grips with its underlying theme of homophobia.
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
This well-meaning if bland romantic drama plays and looks a lot like a 'special' episode of Dawson's Creek.
Dave Kehr, New York Times
Mr. Davis has a lot of ideas, but when it comes to dramatizing them, he is unable to give them an engaging form.
Ben Kenigsberg, Village Voice
Hiding its poverty of imagination under a layer of simpleminded social criticism, Davis's directorial debut lurches unconvincingly from self-congratulatory polemic to bereavement melodrama to Hardy Boys mystery.
Laura Kelly, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
This wannabe thriller fails to thrill, and its would-be gay rights message fails to stir.
Ernest Hardy, L.A. Weekly
Plays like a glossy student film that's not quite as insightful or edgy as it thinks it is.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
I enjoyed this "coming of age" film, but for all the wrong reasons.
David Noh, Film Journal International
Oh-so-sensitive indie undone by uninspired direction and script.
Joshua Tanzer, Offoffoff
Comes up a little short on emotional impact.
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Well intentioned but unfocused.
Bob Westal, Film Threat
Not exactly 'good' but -- like a TV movie you want to switch off but can't -- it's too involving to completely dismiss.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Daniel P

A superb, slightly over complex film about sexuality in various forms, the nature of truth, and the attempts people make, or don't make, to reconcile their own beliefs (moral and religious) in the face of adversity. Ordinary Sinner cleverly plays with viewers… More
A superb, slightly over complex film about sexuality in various forms, the nature of truth, and the attempts people make, or don't make, to reconcile their own beliefs (moral and religious) in the face of adversity. Ordinary Sinner cleverly plays with viewers expectations, particularly in terms of character development; the various twists succeed thanks to exceptionally good casting in both lead and supporting roles, although the convoluted structure occasionally confuses things. Brendan Hines, Elizabeth Banks and Kris Park are all exceptional as the three friends. Over the course of the film their relationships are tried and tested as it appears events unfold around them - but they are intertwined in them in ways they don't all realize. Especially good is Hines, who gives a deceptively simple performance that makes his emotions easy to read, which in this case is important since things mostly take place from his POV. There's very good support from A Martinez and Jesse Tyler Ferguson (who I recognized from the cancelled sitcom The Class). Ordinary Sinner deserves to reach a larger audience as I'm sure it would resonate with many people (it only makes me more happy that I'm an athiest) - sadly, at time of writing, I'm only one of two people on Flixster who have rated the film, and the first person to write a review.