We Have a Pope

Another low turn-out this week. But the feedback was generally good. 2 As (excellent), 8 Bs (very good), 6Cs (good) and 2 Ds (average). So our feedback rating worked out at 71%.

The director, Nanni Moretti, is well known as a left wing critic of the Italian establishment, but this film was a very gentle, almost affectionate, critique. There was no mention of the recent scandals or of the church's entrenched conservatism. In an interview in Cannes last year, he said:

I wanted to depict a fragile man, Cardinal Melville, who feels inadequate in the face of power and the role he’s called to fill, and I wanted to do it as a comedy. I wanted to show my character, the volleyball tournament, the lack of affection, Melville’s love for the theatre.  

...I think this feeling of inadequacy happens to all cardinals elected Pope, or at least that’s what they say. 

...While writing we started to really like some of the cardinals: the competitive one, the favourite, the proto-deacon who takes really strong tranquillizers. There are also various non-professional actors. The Chilean cardinal, one of the ones who plays cards, was actually an extra, he had another job. On the set, in scene after scene, I realized who were the non-actors I could use to turn into characters. 

I’d also like to emphasise that a few years ago, for numerous weeks, the newspapers spoke about the scandals that involved the Church. Both while we were writing and when I was shooting I preferred to not let myself be overwhelmed by these facts. Those who wanted to know them, knew them. My film is something else.

The character of the psychoanalyst was played by the director.

Here's a summary of the audience feedback:

A
A	I like these Italian films with the director acting
B	An interesting film. Some elements are probably very close to the feelings of the members of the conclave.
B	A very thoughtful film with a stunning end. One that brought home the idea of responsibilities and burdens too big to bear.
B	Quite amusing.
B	Amusing and thought-provoking.
B	Not at all what I was expecting to see. Very interesting and very well acted.
B	A very thought- provoking film, well acted.
B	Very interesting.
C	An actor who declined a leading role, brave! Loved the Vatican beach volleyball – better than the Olympics! Great soundtrack.
C	Interesting and entertaining – but left a bit in Limbo.
C	Quite a brave anti-religion film – especially from Italy
B/C	Crazy but interesting.
C	A bit like Father Ted
C
D	The editing was good between the fiction and non-fiction parts. The story line could have been better developed.
D
B/C	Funny. Bizarre. Surreal. Like a meal with some tasty dishes but that leaves you still hungry and unsatisfied

On-line reviews:

Peter Bradshaw  in The Guardian was not much entertained (2 stars):
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/dec/01/we-have-a-pope-review

IMDB users gave it 6.7 out of 10: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1456472/

Rotten Tomatoes, UK audience rating = 61%:
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/we_have_a_pope/

The Telegraph has an interview with the director:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmmakersonfilm/8913327/Nanni-Moretti-on-We-Have-a-Pope.html