The Missionary

I wouldn't have expected such a problem with 1982's THE MISSIONARY - not enough of the central story, at least the one advertised.   For many years I knew that the story involved an English reverend who is assigned a new mission: set up a halfway house for prostitutes.  That Monty Python member Michael Palin plays the lead and wrote the screenplay promised a very British and possibly a bit bawdy little comedy.  I had images of the good reverend getting to know his charges, and some nice (if dry) character sketches of each.  The conflict of a godly man attempting to navigate that oh so thin line between counselor and um, empathizer.

Surprisingly, Palin's script spends precious little time with the ladies of the evening.  This to me is unfortunate.  The advertised premise is what could have made this mild comedy interesting.  As it is, we only have two real scenes with these "fallen" women.  Most of the rest of THE MISSIONARY is concerned with Rev. Fortescue's  fastidious and frigid fiancee, Deborah (Phoebe Nicholls), who has waited for him for ten years while he was serving on a mission in Africa.  And the Lady Isabel Ames (Maggie Smith), wife of England's most wealthy man Lord Henry Ames (Trevor Howard), who convinces her husband to fund Montescue's new endeavor.  Um, after she consults with the reverend in matters carnal. 

Both of these female characters are nicely developed and colorful, and the actresses are wonderful.  But they feel like distractions.  Surprising.  As hilarious as Nicholls is, we've seen the old hat, predictable annoying fiancee plotline one too many times; it was even used in the same year's NIGHT SHIFT, which actually has a few things in common with this movie.  The randy Lady Ames is a nice invention and Smith is perfect, but it might've been more inspired to have her as the say, house madam.  Another opportunity to interact with all those street tarts, but alas.

THE MISSIONARY is a HandMade Films production, a company started by George Harrison and friends that is known for high quality work.  Director Richard Loncraine employs patient craft, evident in every frame.  There is some enviable production design, and Peter Hanna's cinematography is gorgeous.  The well selected cast of great English actors also includes Denholm Elliott as The Bishop and Michael Hordern as a butler who is constantly getting lost in the Ames' impossibly huge mansions; he also serves as the film's narrator.  Palin is fine and his film does have its share of laughs, but still feels like a trifle, a missed opportunity.