ON FAITH & MEDIA | Groomsmen, The

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Groomsmen, The

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Source: Catholic News Service

Intermittently engaging New York drama about a writer (Edward Burns, who also directs) wrestling with anxiety over his impending marriage to his pregnant girlfriend (Brittany Murphy) during a week, leading up to the wedding, of male bonding with his groomsmen (Jay Mohr, Matthew Lillard, Donal Logue and John Leguizamo), each of whom is dealing with personal dilemmas as well. As with past Burns' films, the movie -- set in his usual working-class, Irish-Catholic milieu -- explores themes of family and friendship, love and commitment, relationships and responsibility, but while it has moments of honest emotion, the talky script lacks focus and much of the banter is banal. Pervasive rough and crude language, some profanity, an uncritical view of homosexuality, tacit approval of premarital living arrangements, several vulgar gestures, fleeting rear nudity, a scene in a strip club, and a crass scene of urination. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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John I: Pope John I inherited the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ. Italy had been ruled for 30 years by an emperor who espoused the heresy, though he treated the empire’s Catholics with toleration. His policy changed at about the time the young John was elected pope.
<p>When the eastern emperor began imposing severe measures on the Arians of his area, the western emperor forced John to head a delegation to the East to soften the measures against the heretics. Little is known of the manner or outcome of the negotiations—designed to secure continued toleration of Catholics in the West. </p><p>When John returned to Rome, he found that the emperor had begun to suspect his friendship with his eastern rival. </p><p>On his way home, John was imprisoned when he reached Ravenna because the emperor suspected a conspiracy against his throne. Shortly after his imprisonment, John died, apparently from the treatment he had received.</p>

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