Technical assessment:
3.5
Moral assessment: 4
NTRCB rating: G
CINEMA rating: VA (Viewers of
all ages)
Released as Papa Francisco: The Pope Francis Story in
the Philippines, the film shifts from past and present timelines as Ana
(Abascal), agnostic Spanish journalist, reconstructs the highlights of Fr.
Bergoglio (Grandinetti) life from his childhood and his seminary life to the
time he was Cardinal of Argentina until his election as Pope in the 2013
Conclave. In short and simple anecdotes, we see young Bergoglio’s unwavering
desire to be a priest against his mother’s
wishes and childhood crushes, as well as his struggle to fight the injustices
of the Dirty Wars. We are presented with his simplicity and humility as well as
his endearing compassion for the less fortunate. Through each episode, Fr.
Bergoglio imparts words—comforting for the sorrowful, sharp for the corrupt,
and inspiring for the faithful. Anna’s story of becoming an unwed mother and
finding God is told alongside Fr. Bergoglio’s journey.
There are two
thoughts of critic schools for this Pope Francis movie. On the one hand, it is
simplistic and devoid of cinematic techniques. It puts an almost dry collection of tidbits about the Pope, downplaying
the more controversial issues. One might find the film unjustly diminishing the
enigmatic charisma of the real person the world has loved. On the otherhand,
yes it is simplistic but effective enough because for a personality whose life
is already an open book to the world, there is no need to delve into the nitty
gritty anymore. The selection of events in Fr. Bergoglio’s life serves more to
show the foundation for values he holds dear and principles he stands for than
to dramatize them. That it is devoid of artistic interpretation and cinematic
quality is true but for a man who has opted a life of simplicity and selflessness,
the melodramatic treatment of mainstream cinema would not have been
appropriate.
Papa Francisco: The Pope Francis Story resonates with inspiration. Forgiveness and
compassion over judgement and punishment. Simplicity and humility over pomp and
extravagance. Love and brotherhood over self and personal agenda. Even if Pope
Francis were not a real person, the movie would have still made an impact in
its messages. It presents a man of the
cloth ready to defend the voiceless, the desolate, the victims of violence. The
film shows us how faith is not practised just in the pulpits but also in the
streets and alleyways. Moreover, we see a priest who is not just behind the
altar preaching but inside the home loving, caring, sympathizing. Fr. Bergoglio
is a friend to everyone and the embodiment of God’s mercy and compassion on
earth. And all these have been presented in the simple poignant anecdotes that
have been stripped of cinematic drama or hypocritical preaching.
