A Review of Rewritten:
The Story of Maria Goretti by Olszyk
Distribution Service: YouTube
MPAA Rating, Not rated at the time of this review
OSV Rating, Not rated at the time of this review
Reel Rating, Three Reels
The death
of St. Maria Goretti, only two years into the 20th century, was
prophetic for the coming era and stands one of the most profound stories of
forgiveness in the Church. It was chosen for the first in a series of short
films entitled Rewritten which portrays the lives of the saints in a
modern context by Catholic entrepreneur Dr. Ira DeWitt. It’s a competent though
not stellar start, leaving room to grow but also anticipation for the next
chapter.
Alex (Jason
Konopisos-Alvarez) is a rehabilitation coach visiting a prison to help prepare
the inmates for the outside world. These men are initially angsty and
dismissive, believing he’s just another shrink hoping to pad his college thesis
without any real knowledge of their experience. They have no idea what he has
in store. Unfazed by their criticism, he begins to tell his story, which
unfolds as a contemporary version of Alessandro Serenelli, the murderer of St.
Maria Goretti. It turns out he was more horrendous man than any of them but was
able to convert due to the profound forgiveness of his victim and now spends
his life helping others achieve this redemption.
Cinematically,
Rewritten is a throwback to the short student films I made with my
college friends twenty years ago. It contains unknown actors, simple sets, a
basic plot, and a nice twist at the end. For those of an older 70s Catholic
generation, it also reminded me of the Paulist program Insight, which
adapted Bible stories and moral lessons through edgy one act plays, like Mere
Christianity meets The Twilight Zone. It is competent but the budget
restrictions stand out. The sound is often uneven, and the tattoos on the prisoners
look fake. There’s also a huge plot line about hot coffee as a metaphor that
doesn’t pan out. After the fictional segment, there’s a short slide show on the
historical Maria Goretti and Alessandro Serenelli, including real pictures,
which is more compelling.
Maria
Goretti was a lightening rod for our times. The 20th century saw an
explosion of sexual sin and violence on a scale never seen before, the same
evils Alessandro inflicted on Maria. Yet, it also saw a tidal wave of grace and
heroic sacrifice (Our Lady of Fatima, Divine Mercy, the myriad of saints)
exemplified by the actions Maria. When Satan does his worst, God sends his
best. Any of the benefits that Catholics enjoy today have only come through the
prayers and witness of these holy men and women who endured this period. It remains
to be seen how the 21st century will unfold but regardless of the
age, Maria’s endurance and forgiveness will always stand as an example.
Unfortunately,
the radical nature of her story has not always been well received. Her
preference for death over sexual sin has made Maria a pariah in some feminist circles, who claim
she glorifies patriarchal attitudes of “sexual terrorism.” Others take issue with
the quickness she forgave her attacker, wishing to see him in Heaven with her. The
first misses the entire point of our existence, which is to serve God in this
life as a hope for the next. The saints understand that Heaven is our true
home, and we should shun that which would keep us from it. Maria understood
this not just for herself but Alessandro as well. He didn’t go without punishment,
spending decades in prison and having a radical conversion. After being released,
he became a gardener for a convent, spending the rest of his life in quiet
prayer and service, even attending Maria’s canonization. This why St. Paul says
Christ looks “foolish” to the world because he forgives his enemies and loves
his persecutors. Yet, it is the only way the world can be made right, for we
are all sinners.
Although The
Story of Maria Goretti has its bumps, it’s a good first entry, and I’m
excited to see how the Rewritten series progresses. These stories are a
crucial antidote to the divisive nature of our times. Alex and Alessandro are
proof that anyone can be saved, and the includes you and I.
This article first appeared in Catholic World Report on Februrary 12th, 2026.
Comments
Post a Comment