Ermanno Olmi-La Leggenda del santo bevitore (1988)

An ex-miner, Andreas, released from jail after serving time for an accidental murder, is given a sum of money by a stranger on condition that he pays it back to the local church on the following Sunday. Each time Andreas spends the money it reappears in his wallet..... Based on the novel by Joseph Roth. (amazon.com - Synopsis)





A tramp, exiled in Paris and haunted by a criminal past, sees no way out of his predicament until, almost miraculously, he is offered 200 francs by a wealthy stranger whose only request is that, when he can afford it, he return the money to a chapel dedicated to St. Thérèse. Timeout





A man of honour but weak will, the derelict takes the chance to rejoin a world to which he had become a stranger, finding work, keeping company with women, dining out and sleeping in beds; such luxuries, however, distract him from his obligation... Timeout





Olmi's adaptation of Joseph Roth's novella is faithful and charming, filmed with a simplicity that mirrors the original's economy. As the alcoholic, though a tad too clean, Rutger Hauer effortlessly suggests the character's blend of pride, dignity and vunerability, while Olmi eschews prosaic realism in his evocation of Paris, seen as an oddly timeless, universal city; the lyricism matches the almost magical coincidences of the plot. Timeout





Indeed the film has the resonance and innocence of a parable, its religious elements widely subordinated to a story that is told with a minimum of fuss and explanatory dialogue. Quite why the film is so affecting is hard to pin down: maybe it's because Olmi is so sure of his gentle, generous touch that he feels no need for overstatement. Timeout





Olmi returned to form with this gentle film that confirmed he had lost none of his story-telling skill or his marvellous understanding of human frailty. This adaptation of Joseph Roth's novella was a co-production that moved him into the international arena and cast Hauer as a Parisian tramp with a criminal past and prodigious thirst. Hauer is splendid as the man who suddenly receives money from a stranger who intends it to end up at a holy shrine. Unfortunately, good intentions founder on the path that leads to wine, women and indulgence. Olmi's reticence and compassion elevate the work to near-mystical status.
Channel4





This is an enchanting, mesmeric fable. It tells the story of an alcoholic who strives for redemption, but is cheated out of attaining it again and again - either by drink or friends or any of the myriad pleasures lifethrows at us. And yet somehow - miraculously - the drinker's soul remainsintact; his final mission frustrated, temporarily foresaken but never entirely forgotten. (amazon.com)





In this film Olmi proves himself a master yet again. The film - whilst a work of art in its own right - remains profoundly faithful to the mindset of the author of the book on which this film is based, Josef Roth. Slow and meditative, this is a film that can be watched again and again. The music accompanying the film has been chosen with astonishing sensitivity to mood. Indeed, Olmi is perhaps one of the most musically sensitised of all directors. Rutger Hauer gives possibly the performance of his life. (amazon.com)