I thought of this movie...

Ill choose to reply here as i dont want to sign up to your website and all that it might entail (spam). Of course, no offense :)

I think i saw the movie in Nov 2012, so its been a while.

Overall your review was good and it pointed out some of the reasons why I rated it a 4/10 > "But there’s no complexity or ambiguity, no depth or insight.” <
I agree with that statement by you.

Im not Catholic so i cant really debate with you the insight you provide (Im assuming you are a Catholic) in your last 3 paragraphs. Im assuming the inferred view taken from Melvilles Pope would be appropriately criticized/debated by someone who is Catholic and knows about the Church and its ways.

I thought the movies perspective swayed too much in the view of Melville and not enough of the Congregations, the followers and the general outlook of what the worshipers were feeling at the historic moment(s). There wasnt enough depth i guess.

What i liked:

-actor pope did a pretty good job.

-some funny bits (cardinals playing volleyball, popes reactions, guy impersonating the pope in his room)

- i liked that they choose to center the movie on what the new pope was feeling and going through. They just didnt provide enough of the surrounding environment and views of the cast. The congregations views as a whole is always more important than the popes views.

-the struggle of being elected a pope. His insight and how the script flips it on us: a Pope who doesnt want to be pope.



I liked your contrasting Dan Browns view of this ultra-secretive, organized and nefarious church to that of the one depicted in the movie: a bunch of Cardinals who dont know much about life outside of their religion, They're a vulnerable, goofy, cute, unassuming, pious, humpty-dumpty, fallable and sheltered group of old men.

Overall your review was good from what i could relate to (the last 3 paragraphs not withstanding). But i think this movie's audience is very small. The subject matter is not very interesting overall BUT today and for the next few months this movie should see a resurgence.

Im interested to know what u think of the new pope and the old one? thanks

Also im looking at ur past reviews and see u wrote one for Life of Pi. I saw it 2 days ago and am still thinking about it. I rated it a 9/10. It'd be nice to chat with you about it, once ive read your review.


1/10= Toxic
3= Disappointing
5= Ok
6= Recommended
8= Excellent!
10/10= Classic.

The scene where he tells the psy that he is ...an actor, was worth the price of admission.