The Legend of the Holy Drinker is a 1988 Italian-French movie, directed by Ermanno Olmi. The movie is based on the novel of the same name written by Joseph Roth. The film stars Rutger Hauer as Andreas Kartak, a homeless man in Paris who receives a generous loan of 200 francs from a stranger. The loan is conditional on his promise to repay the debt to a local church when he can afford to do so.
Andreas is determined to repay his debt and starts to save the money he collects from begging and odd jobs. However, he is also battling with alcoholism, which constantly interferes with his plans. He starts to spend his money on alcohol, and his efforts to repay the loan become more and more challenging.
Despite his struggles, Andreas somehow manages to hold onto the 200 francs for almost a year, but then loses the money in a drunken stupor. Ashamed and heartbroken, he returns to the church to confess his failure to the priest, but instead receives a second chance. The priest gives him another 200 francs, and Andreas sets out to redeem himself once again.
The Legend of the Holy Drinker is a touching and beautifully shot film that explores themes of redemption, faith, and the complexity of human nature. Hauer delivers a powerful and nuanced performance as the troubled and introspective Andreas, making the film a must-see for both fans of the actor and lovers of European cinema.