Conceived of, written by, directed by, and starred in by Timothy Carey, "The World's Greatest Sinner" is a brave but overreaching effort by one man with a creative voice and little money.
Carey gives us a sketchy, raw film about a confused man with a Messianic complex who, because he is bored with life, subverts the conventions of society to feed his unsatisfied ego. The film is too (physically) dark and it is roughly edited and unfinished, but there is an outline of a story that asserts that cults of personality are a common thread through religion, rock and roll, and politics.
Though he declares himself otherwise, Carey is not an atheist. The film is steeped in Catholic iconography and dogma. And his tortured relationship with God is central to the story. He is a believer who seeks explanations for the contradictions in Christianity.
The film features music by Frank Zappa which sometimes contributes to the chaotic essence of the main character.
Though Carey can be a compelling presence on the screen and the greatest attribute of the film, the story is, in the end, predictable and never really gets beyond the immature musings of its primary character, who sets up a philosophical straw man and torches him, as expected, in the end.
For another film that features complete dedication by an off-beat auteur, check out "Carnival of Souls". It's a better film.
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