Michael's Movie Grade: B+
Director Edward Berger's follow-up to his acclaimed remake of All Quiet on the Western Front is this excellent drama about the electing of a new pope.
This film does not have much action in it at all and mostly takes place in one setting. Yet for much of its runtime it is as gripping as any suspense movie. What makes this movie so good is that its focus is not on the process or the politics (though both play a major role) but on the actual people. This film causes us to look at these characters not as religious figures but as human beings with all the flaws and virtues that come with that. With that as we watch this movie, we care much more deeply than we would with how pretty much any other filmmaker would approach this subject. As such when this movie delves into the political discord and scandals, it does not feel merely intellectual but deeply personal as well. This movie offers twist after twist and most of them are very smart and keep you on the edge of your seat. The incredible performances from Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and others help make Peter Straughan's smart script all the more real to us.
My major problem with this film is a very important plot twist that comes towards the end. There is little buildup to it, and it seemingly comes out of nowhere. It also seems quite far-fetched for what is otherwise a logically bound film. What is done with this twist after it happens is very smart, but it doesn't stop this twist from taking us out of the movie.
An excellent film.
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