Elisabeth Oas

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Into Temptation (Patrick Coyle) - Narrative Feature
I was only about halfway through this festival when Patrick Coyle¹s "Into
Temptation" snuck up on me unexpectedly, but I couldn¹t imagine seeing a
more precise, thoughtful or involving film for the remainder of the fest
(and, as it turns out, I didn¹t). Starring Jeremy Sisto (CSI) and Brian
Baumgartner (The Office), two of television¹s most underrated actors, "Into
Temptation" follows the journey of Father John Buerlein (Sisto) as he
attempts to save a mysterious prostitute (Kristin Chenoweth) who has come to
him for penance, revealing that she's just days away from ending her own
life.

Coyle crafts his film tightly yet unveils it methodically, layering clues
like breadcrumbs for the audience to follow as Father John delves deeper
into a seedy underworld of lust and seduction. Though admittedly not on the
same level, "Into Temptation" occasionally reminded me of some of
Hitchcock¹s classic films, with the purpose-driven man tailing the
mysterious blonde, in pursuit of the truth.

The pacing here is just right, the writing succinct, and Coyle displays a
steady hand as director, all the more impressive since he's a relatively new
filmmaker ("Into Temptation" is his second feature film). Coyle is confident
in his story and his actors, and he does well to stand back and let the film
develop organically. It¹s execution is almost the exact opposite of John
Patrick Shanley's highly-stylized "Doubt" from last year, which was all
tilted angles and dramatic orchestral swells. Like "Doubt," Coyle's "Into
Temptation" is set within the Catholic Church, but comes across as much more
modest and subtly transfixing. More importantly, it feels authentic, more
genuine and satisfying than anything else I caught at Newport Beach this
year. SEE IT.