The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

a simple story. its simplicity being the source of its force. one of the most influential figures of Romano - Catholic Church in the XX century. and admirable performance of Sergio Castellitto. the film is remarkable for the inspired balance between life of a monk who looking only to serve God and the step of sainthood. sure, many Italian religious films are good examples in this sense. but in the case of Pio of Pietrelcina the mission is real hard. because he has the chance to be one of the saints,not only as result of the life period, of our time.not only for the faith of believers but for rumors of controversies. and the science to give a realistic portrait, to expose events and gestures and facts as support for conclusions of the viewer is the basic virtue of film. a form of testimony about a Catholic servant of God, precise mix of dramatic moments and humor, small gestures and profound pain.a film like a lesson. about a man in the middle of church and people.

delicate. powerful. beautiful. touching. drawing of a story. confession of a great man. ladder of a life in which God is never ending presence. chronicle of an intense fight. against Evil. against yourself. and collection of miracles. ordinaries miracles. because the virtue of film is courage to be honest. to not create an eulogy or a fresco. do not transform all in a religious show but only in a testimony about an Italian monk as suggest for transformation of existence, to search and conquer its profound sense. a film about roots and force of growing - up. or, only a love letter. sure, it is difficult for an Orthodox as me to understand a Catholic saint. and this is important in this case. because , far to be propaganda, only propaganda, it is subtle portrait of a sacrifice with universal nuances.

Director Carlo Carlei explores the life of Francesco Forgione, also known as Saint Padre Pio, in this TV movie entitled,Padre Pio:Miracle Man.This was adapted from the book by Renzo Allegri.It stars Sergio Castellitto in the title role together with Jurgen Prochnow and Adolfo Lastrett.A Capuchin friar whose endless devotion would manifest itself in the appearance of stigmata wounds for more than 50 years, Padre Pio was responsible for a series of religious miracles that many sited as proof of God's existence in an era where spiritual skepticism was at an all time high.This TV movie captures Padre Pio's intense faith and devotion, and deep spiritual concern for others.Aside from that,it demonstrates his great compassion for the sick and suffering. It reveals the amazing details and events in his life as a boy and throughout his years as a friar, dramatizing the frequent attacks of the Devil on him, as well as the persecution he suffered at the hands of people, including those in the church. This is an outstanding feature film on the amazing life of this great saint.

Carlo Carlei's film PADRE PIO is a very detailed depiction of life and mission of the great saint from San Giovanni Rotondo (Apulia, the Coast of Gargano), a charismatic person who aimed at loving God and suffer for goodness. This is one of the best Italian films ever made and it is a pity that it has hardly become popular. I love this movie because of many reasons:First of all, Mr Carlei shows Padre Pio (1887-1968) not only as someone who always wins, a kind of "religious superman" (sorry if this term is offensive) but a person full of innate struggle - SOMEBODY WHO HE REALLY WAS. Padre Pio, except for the fact that he had Holy Wounds of Christ on his body, he was, first of all, a very good and pious priest. He invited people to confess their sins and reconciled even atheists with God. And this is particularly noticeable in this beautiful movie. That's great since it gives a viewer a right picture of the saint.Secondly, a very good aspect of the film is Padre Pio's mercy and help for the poor. This proves the fact that Jesus lived in him. I was moved by the scene when a woman from San Giovanni Rotondo comes to church and prays to God to help her as she had no food to give her children. She lacked even basic head wear. When Pio saw her, he took as much money as he could handle in his hands and gave it to her. At this moment, a beautiful sunlight went through a window... Or another memorable moment when he plans to build a hospital for the poor, he says to one of his "spiritual daughters" Cleonice Morcaldi that Christ is in every ill person but in poor ill, He is twice as much. And when the hospital is built, his words to the doctors: "Remember, if you don't bring LOVE to your work, all your efforts are nothing!" Isn't that true???Finally, the director shows the truth of how church "persecuted" dear Padre Pio. The priest (Jurgen Prochnow) who comes to him on the day before Padre's death (22 September 1968) does not have to be historical but he represents the whole hierarchy in church and those who persecuted Padre Pio throughout his life. Fortunately, the end is surprising. I loved his words: "Christ is usually so close to us but we fail to recognize Him. What a blindness!!!After seeing this movie, now I do realize why more than 7 million people a year come to San Giovanni Rotondo. Padre Pio was a great gift from God to the dark 20th century, so much shocked by hatred of two world wars and atheism. Do see this film and you will look at the world, and especially at Holy Confession differently! He is also a great example for priests.Padre Pio was canonized by His Holiness John Paul II on June 16th 2002. Saint Peter's Square rarely saw such huge crowds of people of different races and from various parts of the world...