Cabrini (2024) Angel/Drama RT: 145 minutes Rated PG-13 (thematic material, some violence and language including racial slurs) Director: Alejandro Monteverde Screenplay: Rod Barr Music: Gene Back Cinematography: Gorka Gomez Andreu Release date: March 8, 2024 (US) Cast: Cristiana Dell‘Anna, David Morse, Romana Maggiora Vergano, Federico Ielapi, Liam Campora, Virginia Bocelli, Montserrat Espadale, Rolando Villazon, Patch Darragh, Jeremy Bobb, Giampiero Judica, Giacomo Rocchini, Federico Castelluccio, Andrew Polk, Giancarlo Giannini, John Lithgow.
Rating: *** ½
Even though it’s from the same director (Alejandro Monteverde) and the same studio (Angel Studios) as last year’s surprise hit Sound of Freedom, I don’t think Cabrini will face the same amount of controversy if any. It doesn’t seem to push any sort of agenda other than the idea of giving poor immigrants a helping hand. A biopic of Catholic missionary and charity founder Mother Frances Cabrini, played by Italian actress Cristiana Dell’Anna (The Hand of God), it’s a beautiful if somewhat overlong testament to human kindness and staying strong in the face of adversity of which there was no shortage in late 19th century New York City.
Mother Cabrini just wants to do good with what little time she has left. She suffers from a terrible lung disease and isn’t expected to live longer than five years (if that). She’s been after the Vatican to allow her to go to China to start her own order. She’s been turned down 12 times, the last time in person. She appeals the decision to Pope Leo XIII (Giannini, The Seduction of Mimi) who allows her to proceed with her mission…. in New York. There’s plenty of the Lord’s work that needs to be done there.
In 1889, New York was a land of opportunity for all except Italian immigrants. They were the most despised ethnic group in the city. They were seen as inferior, uneducated illiterates fit only for menial labor. They lived in extreme poverty, crammed into filthy tenements or living on the street. Rats had it better than them. Mother Cabrini intended to change all that. She begins by starting an orphanage, an endeavor met with resistance by those in power, especially Mayor Gould (Lithgow, Cliffhanger), a hate-filled racist who wants her shut down by any means necessary, legal or not. The local archbishop (Morse, The Negotiator) is no help either. He’s constantly trying to quash her efforts so she’ll return to Italy with her tail between her legs.
I think most of us know how Cabrini’s story turns out. She eventually founded a hospital to serve the Italian community and other poor people. Her charitable work ultimately extended to all parts of the world (including China). She would go on to be the first American sainted by the Catholic Church. She’s the patron saint of immigrants.
It hasn’t been the best week for movies with the lame Blumhouse horror flick Imaginary and the entirely unnecessary Kung Fu Panda 4. Cabrini is the proverbial light at the end of tunnel. It can be harsh with its realistic depiction of life in Five Points and the racism endured by Italian immigrants just trying to make a better life. It can also be frustrating with the never-ending obstacles put in Cabrini’s path as she tries to help the less fortunate. It’s worth the effort in the end. Cabrini is an excellent film that’s genuinely heartfelt and moving. It earns any and all tears it elicits from viewers.
Dell’Anna turns in a wonderful person as the titular superheroine. That’s right, I called Mother Cabrini a superheroine. Instead of a cape, she wore a habit. Her superpowers were kindness, charity and resolve. She was a woman who refused to take no for an answer, not from anybody. This is a woman who worked tirelessly to provide for those under her care. When given property without proper access to water, she dug holes around the clock until she found a well. When ruffians burn down the hospital under construction, she pushes her way into the mayor’s office to confront him face-to-face. This was one tough lady and she was sick to boot. Dell’Anna crushes it in the role. She makes Cabrini a person to be admired, a pre-feminism feminist if you will.
The rest of the cast is equally great. Romana Maggiora Vergano (Sky TV’s Christian) is terrific as Vittoria, a prostitute who leaves behind her degrading life to follow a higher calling alongside Cabrini. Lithgow is perfectly despicable as the Italian-hating mayor who looks every bit the villain with his Smith Brothers beard and huge cigar. Morse hits all the right notes as an adversary who secretly admires Cabrini even though she’s ruffling the feathers of too many important people.
Cabrini is very well made. The sets, costumes and everything else look great. You actually come to believe you’re looking at late 19th century NYC it’s so authentic looking. It’s also consistently compelling. Sure it’s a bit long at 145 minutes, but none of it is actually boring. I never once lost interest. Not only that, I didn’t feel the time go by either. It was easier to sit through than Kung Fu Panda 4 which clocks in at 94 minutes (still too long). In addition, it was a learning experience for me. I knew nothing about Mother Cabrini before the movie. Now that I know her story, I admire her and all she did. It’s an outstanding, near-perfect drama. See it!
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. In keeping with Angel Studios tradition, the end credits come with a plea for donations to a website that provides free tickets for those who couldn’t otherwise afford to see Cabrini at the cinema. I think Mother Cabrini would have approved.
