Habemus Papam / We Have a Pope (Nanni Moretti, 2011)

[TMDaines]

It'd appear that the international press has taken more kindly to Moretti's Pope movie than in native Italy though the consensus seems to be that it's merely pleasant enough to pass the time.

I've just got back from watching this and, after realising that the film doesn't yet have a thread, I've decided to make one and borrow your comment from the Cannes thread. I'd say your summarising of the consensus sums it up. Of the six or so films I've seen from Moretti I'd probably put this at the bottom. The film is decent enough for the first 45 minutes or an hour or so and shows some real promise. Moretti's typical wry and satirical humour shines through and the films plods along quite nicely, but it just doesn't go anywhere. In the final third of the film we then have this scene with the cardinals competing that doesn't make much sense and isn't particularly humourous either. I'm not really sure whether it was supposed to be a feel good moment or was played for laughs. It didn't seem to be either. The film was getting plenty of laughs throughout until this point but it's here where the film just sort of dies. The interaction between Moretti and the cardinals is really quite witty and entertaining, with the elected pope also portraying that sense of doubt and insecurity well. There's a real good core to the film at heart but sadly Moretti doesn't know where exactly to take it. There doesn't appear to be a clear message by the end, nor a point to think about. I'm a big fan of Moretti's work but this was disappointing by the end, and a tad boring I might add.

[rohmerin]

It could have been a good commedia all'italiana 25 minutes episode in a 60's or 70's anthology film, but as long picture is a failure in everything except the actors (they are ok). It's by far Moretti's worst film (I've seen all his films except Siogni d'oro). Given that my mother and other women over 65 loves it, I think is soft, a "nice" movie, très sympathique but conventional, respetuoso ¿por miedo?

[owheeler]

This, to me, is a misunderstood film, a mature masterpiece on a small scale, a treat for Piccoli lovers, and a small, humble, subjective look at a big subject. I, for one, didn't view it as comedy; I see it as part of Moretti's late period, which began with the masterpiece, La Stanza del Figlio, and I rate it highly overall, certainly above such works as Il Caimano or Palombella Rossa. See it with an open mind. It doesn't seem to reward preconceptions or expectations.

[TMDaines]

I love La stanza del figlio but I still think this is the poorest work of his that I've seen.

[rohmerin]

Oh my God. Reality imitates fiction.
Like the movie. New Pope