Watch Reverend Tienie

Reverend Tienie is a gripping South African drama film that takes place in a small town in the Free State. It offers a deep and poignant look at the struggles and passions of an ageing clergyman caught between his beliefs and his inner demons. The film stars the prominent South African actress, Izel Bezuidenhout, in the lead role of Reverend Tienie Benade, and the popular actor Thapelo Mokoena as his son, Dirkie. The movie introduces us to Reverend Benade, a pastor of a small congregation who has been serving his community for over 50 years.

Reverend Tienie is embroiled in a battle of the mind as he reflects on his life and the meaning of his faith. Through his internal struggle, the movie explores themes of guilt, forgiveness, and redemption. It showcases the challenges that religious leaders face as they try to navigate their own personal struggles while shepherd their congregations.

The film traverses through Tienie's turbulent past, uncovering his inner demons such as his relationship with his son, Dirkie and his constant psychological battles. As the film progresses, these struggles become more complex and intricate, leaving Reverend Benade to question his faith, his relationship with himself, and his duties towards his congregation.

The story takes an interesting turn when the Reverend is approached by a childhood friend who has since risen to becoming a rich industrialist. He requests that Tienie come to speak and pray for his workers whose livelihood is threatened by a mining company. This puts Benade in a tough spot, made even more difficult when he meets an environmental activist, Linda whose goals do not align with his friend's. Linda's views are antithetical to what the Reverend has believed his entire life, and the fact that she is attractive only complicates matters further.

Tienie must tread carefully as he navigates his way through the minefield of this conflict. As he confronts his inner demons, he must also reconcile with his beliefs and what he believes God expects from him. His faith in a God who is just, compassionate, and loving is tested time and time again, and the film's climax is a carefully crafted depiction of the meeting of two opposing views in a way that neither side's aspirations are compromised.

Reverend Tienie is an excellently scripted character study, featuring some truly powerful performances. The film does an amazing job of exploring the psychological complexity behind the exhaustion of a life of faith, while still delivering on the powerful and universal themes at the heart of it all.

Izel Bezuidenhout's performance as the protagonist is a tour de force, a fully realized character study that digs deep into the psychology of an ageing man who must confront his passions, fears, and flaws. Thapelo Mokoena's performance as Dirkie is also commendable, playing an integral and dynamic role in the Reverend's story. Additional performances by the supporting cast, including Jacques Gombault as Casper Van Wyk, and Beer Adriaanse as Tienie's wife, Esther are also key ingredients that make this film a must-watch.

In conclusion, Reverend Tienie is a beautifully shot, well-crafted drama that ranks amongst the best films from South Africa. With its powerful performances, attention to detail, and poignant script, it's a movie that is hard to ignore. It will strike a chord with viewers who are interested in exploring the deeper, more complex facets of faith, hope, and humanity. It is an excellent and thought-provoking piece of cinema that will leave audiences mesmerized.

Reverend Tienie is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes.