i know i wasted 90 mins of my life.

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

I saw the movie a few days ago and, even though I did not like the ending, I gave a 9/10, because I loved how the Cardinals were made to look so godly and so human at the same time. Michel Piccoli did such great acting. Last but not least, besides being very entertaining, the movie now has proved to be prophetic, as Pope Benedict has resigned to everyone's surprise. That alone makes this movie, a great movie.PS: For the person who wrote: "Waste of time, written by an atheist so what do you expect", and then complains of "an insult to all Believers". I am not an atheist; I believe in God. But my thinking brain felt deeply insulted as I was reading the rant.

Despite being called a "comedy", the Italian Hangover this is not. Its far more a drama than it could ever be a comedy. I don't know the religious implications of the film, nor the accuracy of what it portrays and I don't care. I could enjoy the film without any of that but it was just such a struggle to get through. It felt so long and the pacing of the film was brutal. Its actually a shame because the movie had a very moving lead performance, a very sad undertone, emotions running high and a little bit of fun mixed in where the comedy was supposed to be. However, many of what was supposed to be considered "funny" felt forced and thrown in for no reason. This would have made a far better drama and when you go into it with the understanding that its a comedy, even a dark comedy, you have certain expectations. I stayed with the film as hard as it was at times simply because of the lead character. I had to see the pay off, I had to see where it would end and I guess that's worth something that I wanted to see that. The good news is that the ending was very good. It was sweet and emotional and well done. The movie can be visually impressive but not enough to wade through the sluggish story.Veteran Italian actor Michel Piccoli gives a moving and devastatingly emotional performance as the newly elected Pope. He is just so full of very real emotions. He has incredible charisma on screen and did such an amazing job. He was absolutely the highlight of the film and is the reason for what scoring I give this. Nanni Moretti is the Psychoanalyst they bring in to try and help the Pope overcome his anxiety about his new position. Moretti is good and despite some descriptions of the film saying this is about the new Pope and his relationship to his therapist, they have one or two scenes together and that's it. I would have liked to have seen Moretti get more depth to his character. The supporting cast who play the Cardinals and the Pope's support staff, are all decent but none of them really stand out from the others. In fact they are all very similar and show the same facial expressions and emotions throughout, so you'll never really know who is who because they are basically the same character multiplied.Moretti who plays the therapist also co-wrote and directed this film. It is well shot, visually very nice, and I quite enjoyed an inside look at The Vatican even if it was just a fictional account of the place. The story drags all of the positives down because it is simply too slow. While the new Pope explores his love of theatre, the Cardinals and the therapist play Volleyball at The Vatican...yes its that strange. I would have rather focused solely on The Pope's story and the interesting people he encounters that helps him come to terms with his new position. Although the ending is heartfelt and moving, it also is sort of unsatisfying in that none of the story leads up to how it ends. Sadly I want to really root for this because it is unique but I just had to try far too hard to get through it. 5/10

This film has had a very diverse range of reviews, and this is probably because its full appreciation requires a finger on the pulse of the Catholic world. Moretti makes a statement about the current state of the Church, which behind its omnipotent facade seems to be unable to truly face the challenges of remaining relevant to its followers. Rather than set up an intricate political plot of intrigue and betrayal, Moretti chooses to represent this powerlessness through a single person, an unassuming cardinal who feels unable to take on the responsibility. At the same time, though, he reveals that the state of unease is widespread among the cardinals, who dread the thought of having to take on this leadership, as much as the thought of losing their leader. A banal way forward would have been for the cardinals to turn against each other, or against the Pope; instead, here they find relief in reverting to games and simple everyday activities, as if the isolation inside the Vatican walls is lifting an unbearable oppression from them, as they can do normal things as normal people do. The film has several imperfections, and one feels sometimes the story gets somewhat contorted, especially when the new Pope rekindles his old love for the theatre. Still, it is a visually attractive film, sensitively scripted and well acted. This is a surprisingly sympathetic film made by a non-believer who is often critical of the Church. Moretti is appreciative of the magnitude of the problem faced by the church, but most of all one has the impression that he cares deeply about the people involved: those on the balcony, those behind the curtains and especially those down below, in the square.

This film is mildly recommended.In one of my all-time favorite romantic comedies, Billy Wilder's enchanting Roman Holiday, a princess, with an aversion to her royal responsibilities and its added pressure of pomp and circumstance that comes with it, flees her guardians to escape to a simpler commoner's life in Rome. Complications ( and love ) ensue. In Nanni Moretti's engaging We Have a Pope, the job description might have changed slightly, but the same intensity and stress of duty and honor remains. And while the main character is never in search of love, complications begin to pile up.The pope has died and a new successor must be elected. After multiple voting, the conclave of cardinals decide that Cardinal Melville would be the best candidate to fill that void. The crowds form outside the Vatican awaiting their decision, all eyes focused on that central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and its new pontiff. Yet inside, it is another story entirely as the newly anointed and appointed leader refuses to take on that role. A psychotherapist is brought in to convince Cardinal Melville that this big white whale of a job belongs to him. So what does the cardinal do? He escapes, seeking la dolce vita that others have.Now Moretti's basic idea is an intriguing one, that one man who so many look to for spiritual guidance is himself in search of that elusive goal and is in the midst of his own personal crisis of faith. Morretti serves his story well as a director, setting up his characters, all of whom are held captive in their grandiose surroundings and involving the movie audience with the regal pageantry and splendor. But as screenwriter, his script loses its focus with some subplots and actions that never quite gel. Just as his character becomes lost, so does his film. Scenes involving his interactions and experiences with the common folk fall flat and don't seem to resolve the complex issue or provide any insight for this troubled soul's introspection. As the film progresses, the remaining cardinals become more one-dimensional and their behavior, while slightly amusing, become easy folly as they play volleyball in their fancy silk trappings, merely decoration rather than real people. ( Only Renato Scarpi as Cardinal Gregori provides any depth to his character. ) Plus, the role of the psychologist ( also played by Moretti ) becomes a mere afterthought, never really building any relationship with his patient. And, those annoying Leaps of Logic comes to the forefront during his respite allowing him his "Roman Holiday", though those everyday "economic" expenses are not explained in the least ( free hotel room, food, theater ticket, bus transportation, etc.).The film detours to an unsatisfying and unexpected conclusion that basically negates everything before it. As Cardinal Melville grapples with the anxiety of becoming one of the world's most exalted religious leader, Moretti too never comes to terms with his initial fascinating premise and his film's plot structure.Fortunately, the talented French actor, Michel Piccoli gives a wonderfully subtle performance as Il papa. His nuanced facial expressions and sad soulful eyes convey the character's humility, fear, and wisdom beyond his years. It is superb acting that nearly makes up for some of the film's missteps along the way.While many of the compelling elements are up there on the screen for a fine film, We Have a Pope simply needed to have a better script ( and ending ) to achieve a level of success. Still, Moretti does stay true to his vision and never becomes sentimental or mawkish. In We Have a Pope, while the job may remain unfilled, the moviegoer in us all regretfully remains unfulfilled as well. GRADE: B-ANY COMMENTS: Please contact me at: jadepietro@rcn.com to add comments.Visit my blog at: www.dearmoviegoer.com