The Young Pope (2016) User Reviews (160)

Sorrentino's The Young Pope is not the papal House of Cards

[Manal1987 · 9/10 · 19 December 2016]

I was among many others who rushed to compare Paolo Sorrentino's Vatican drama The Young Pope to Beau Willimon's political masterpiece House of Cards after watching the first couple of episodes of the former. Obviously, I was wrong. Despite the unmistakable similarities between the enigmatic newly-elected young American pope Lenny Belardo, a.k.a. Pius XIII, and the evil mastermind statesman Frank Underwood, both shows aim at two completely distinctive targets, and although it is true that institutional religion and politics share so much in common in terms of manipulation and intrigue, Willimon and Belardo evidently play different tunes to approach such thorny issues.

Once you get past the third episode, you will realize that Belardo is nothing like Underwood. He might be the most diabolical pope you would see on screen but his vulnerability brings the human back into his character and makes it contradictory, yet more believable. A mixture of kindness and cruelty, faith and doubt, innocent childhood and bitter adulthood, finely portrayed by Jude Law in a role that will later be marked in his career as the departure from Hollywood's 'pretty boy' branding and an ensuing history of fumbling and the beginning of more mature choices and performances.

The entire series is based on this kind of alluring contradiction. I'm not Catholic, not even Christian, but I honestly cannot see how this show can be offensive to anyone. Sorrentino's take on religion and the system of belief in general is very far from liberal or conservative absolutism; he uses his renowned magical aestheticism to create a space for all voices to converse – a space where religion and art collide in a supernova of beauty on every possible level. Unlike Willimon who wages a war against the political system to reveal its inherent ugliness, Sorrentino gently takes us to the heart of conservative dogma to show that religion is a personal story whose contradictory nature must be nurtured and celebrated. In the very first scene, our young pope, Lenny Belardo, struggles to crawl out of a heap of sleeping babies.

It is a story about finding maturity in faith.

The eccentric, brilliant mix of intellectual aestheticism and tongue-in-cheek comedy of The Young Pope is only made better by the almost perfect casting. Silvio Orlando particularly stands out as the football fanatic, Secretary of State Cardinal Voiello who even though represents the Pope's nemesis, is undoubtingly the most comic character in the series. Cheeky contradiction invades all aspects of Sorrentino's drama: narrative juxtaposition, cinematography, music… etc. Imagine listening to "I'm Sexy and I Know It" in the background of a sequence where the Vatican's most esteemed authority gets dressed for the Cardinals' address.

Not to mention that Sorrentino's frames are a source of pleasure in their own right, I have truly enjoyed watching every minute of The Young Pope. Emotional, witty, beautiful, funny, original… the show has all elements I need to keep me anxiously waiting for a second season. Don't be long, Mr. Sorrentino!

Well balanced, beautifully written script, plenty of fun.

[paul-15242 · 9/10 · 28 October 2016]

It was everything I was hoping for, great set, awesome cast. Lots of swish vocabulary being delivered and not overdone. My thoughts after 30 minutes were "This is going to be Boardwalk Empire in the Vatican" and more. That's not to say that this is like anything done before, more, totally hasn't been done before, and instead of the huge music scores and frowning gown clergy, you get an unpredictable drama, plenty of humour and some wonderfully shot scenes - None of which distract. Jude Law plays the Pope like your father plays the villain when you have a friend over - His vindictive nature is apparent and has you rubbing your hands for the next time the Pope wants to single somebody out... He suffers no fools... Watch it folks, it's fantastic!

An eccentric extravagant BEAUTIFUL project

[MoviecriticElyn · 9/10 · 17 November 2016]

To tell the truth, when heard about the TV series of a young pope, I was absolutely sure it is a documentary one so I did not do any search beforehand. Well then, after I saw the first episode, I immediately wikipedied and googled PiusXIII, only to discover he has never existed (yet). To tell the truth again, I wanted to stop watching the series because usually i do not like something blown up out of the blue, like The Walking dead, f.e. But, captured of the very good quality of acting, nice music and extremely eccentric character of the Pope, I watched the second episode, then the third...and you know what? IT GOES better and better!!! I am fully immersed with my head and heart in these TV series. So far I am in love with 4th and 8th episode. Especially when the Pope gives his speech on peace. It is more than touching, it is perfect. On the whole, the project is fully in line with the Sorrentino's oscared movie "Grande Bellezza", touching music, knife-sharp changes in the editing pieces of the film, smart dialogues, and much more...so that corruption of everyone, low or high, just goes in the background. Highly recommended!

Light, funny, strange, beautiful and utterly original

[feelinesound · 10/10 · 30 October 2016]

I guess I should start with what I don't like about this show - the dialogue is somewhat unnatural. There's no umming or erring at all, conversations are as rapid and resolute as in an American crime procedural, which is slightly weird most of the time but especially disturbing when coming from actors who aren't speaking in their first language, who happen to make up the vast majority of actors on this show.

That's it as far as flaws though, and I won't even deduct any points for this one flaw because there's a positive aspect to it, to the point that I can't even be 100% sure it wasn't intended - it adds to the feeling of surrealism that permeates every scene in this unique and wonderful creation. And when I say wonderful I mean it literally - this show is full of wonders at every corner. It keeps you constantly surprised, on edge, unsure of what on earth could possibly come next. The plot, the writing, the cinematography, the acting, the music, oh the music! The choice of music, the placement of it. Every single one of these things is done with so much balls, finesse and confidence and to the highest degree of quality. And most importantly it's a fuckload of fun, never for a second taking itself seriously, the aforementioned surrealism constantly popping up where you least expect it. It's as much a colourful satire of TV shows, film and life itself as it is one of the Church.

It's really rather hard to believe that Sky and HBO financed this gigantic odd piece of brilliantly experimental filmmaking. I'd never quite accepted what a few critics have begun to say recently, but with this show I think the penny's finally dropped for me on the notion that TV and streaming services are taking over the mantle of art in filmmaking. Which is really fortunate, since true artists like Sorrentino are finding it harder and harder these days to get movies made, and not only are many of them being given big budgets and free reign these days on TV (see also: Mr. Robot, The Knick) but this medium lets them tell much longer stories, and without being afraid that the audience will fall asleep or run off to the toilet with their bladders bursting. Praise our most holy father.

Sensational

[stefan-soos · 10/10 · 29 October 2016]

Wow, don't think i ever been that impressed by the first two episodes of a TV series. The story line doesn't sound that innovative: young, unknown American cardinal becomes pope surprisingly but instead of being a puppet for the powerful cardinals in the background, he is trying to take the vatican over completely. Now this could be just another vatican drama or another over the top comedy about the church...but its something very different. Jude Laws portrayal of the young pope is certainly one of the better acting performances I've seen in a while. he is cold, stoic but also full of rage and passionate about his convictions and most important: you cant figure him out. one minute you think he is a complete jerk or insane, next you believe that he is a saint. the cinematography and music is excellent. some of the mass scenes could have been shot better but thats nit picking.

There is nothing else like this

[whatithinkis · 10/10 · 21 November 2016]

There is nothing else like this.

Pro-Catholicism? Anti? None of the above.

This is beyond Catholicism. Beyond religion.

It asks all the questions and gives no simple answers, or obvious answers, or predictable answers, or even unchanging answers.

Or, in some instances, answers at all.

Is it about faith? Absolutely. But without any requirement or persuasion.

And the human condition.

About love. Acceptance. Justice.

Is it, really, even about the Pope?

Exquisitely shot in stunning surround. Did it put even one foot wrong? I would say yes. Keaton. But I still give it a ten.

A little hard to watch at first, but the last 3 episodes....

[ckhiraga · 10/10 · 19 January 2017]

Without spoilers The series starts rough. Very aggressive and mean. Machiavellian even. But when it hits this those last three episodes.....

I've never in my 40 years seen media that moved me. Moved me to tears. To goodness. This series is so intelligent and the set up is so good that I really feel bad for anyone who doesn't make it to the end. From the story to the music to the end. Amazing.

It really makes me sad how this series won't have the attention it deserves. Most people won't be able to get past the ridge moral and political views. The shocking graphic scenes and the first 7 episodes will deter even more. But this series is one I will keep and re-watch many times. Something I do with no other TV show or movie or play.

Genius

[isungazer · 10/10 · 12 November 2016]

I am utterly in love with this series. From the gorgeous soundtrack, to the depth and humour of the dialogues, the sharp exposure of human nature and the intricacies of belief and devotion, this series in an absolute joy. This comment is from someone whose last favorite series was BBC's Merlin. I rarely watch TV and follow series; it really has to be something special to grab my attention and keep it for a long time. This is truly special. I am devouring it, fully embodying the sinner in me. I confess to the deadly sins of gluttony - because I am never satisfied and I always want more of it - and lust, because Jude Law is oh my God so sexy and hot, in body, mind, and soul, and a brilliant, brilliant actor; I was happy to know he also produces it. And why not sloth too, since I don't mind spending several hours in a row watching it and I don't feel a slight bit of guilt because of it. Oops, here goes for pride. I am totally free of greed though, for I wish everyone watch this and drink of this divine juice. Amazing, and I hope there will be no more seasons, otherwise it will lose its substance and depth. Good things come in small packets. Thank you for this gem and congratulations for the genius collaboration behind it.

Keep watching

[lawrencet-708-873760 · 9/10 · 18 November 2016]

This my first review only because I read two bad reviews and feel it may not have given it real justice. They say it is predictable, uninspiring, trying to be something original. That being said it is probably true to a degree but you have to keep watching. At first all these things are presented too show the facade of what we already know - the scandals - but it fades and introduces new questions. For someone who bores at the fact of church going this was rather intriguing. Jude Law is great as the young American pope. I feel he plays with the subtle conflicts so well; vanity, power, pious yet struggles, scathing but is a visionary.

It does offer itself in the end a nice change to what is already out there. Refreshing that is isn't another zombie, crime, legal, quirky comedy or supernatural or super powers, or medieval bloody TV series.

Jude Law plays the first American Pope in Paolo Sorrentino's "The Young Pope."

[HollywoodGlee · 11 October 2016]

Viewed by Larry Gleeson. Writer/director Paolo Sorrentino unleashed a pilot of the first two episodes of a new, fictional, ten-part series titled, "The Young Pope," at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival.

Jude Law plays the central character, Lenny Belardo, aka Pius XIII, the first American Pope in history. Young and charming, his election seems to be the result of a simple yet effective media strategy on the part of the College of Cardinals. But appearances can be deceptive. Above all, in the place and among the people who have chosen the great mystery of God as the compass guiding their existence. That place is the Vatican and those people are the leaders of the Church. And Pius XIII proves to be the most mysterious and contradictory of them all. Shrewd and naïve, ironical and pedantic, primeval and cutting-edge, doubting and resolute, melancholy and ruthless, Pius XIII tries to cross the endless river of human solitude to find a God he can give to mankind. And to himself.

Sorrentino is bound to shock the sensibilities of some of his Catholic viewers with the imagery in the opening sequence. He opens with a baby in a dimly lit St. Peter's Square crawling over a sea of other babies until we see a man emerge from beneath the pile. A cut is made to Lenny awakening from a sleep and donning the attire of a Catholic Pope. As Lenny leaves his dressing area Sorrentino makes effective use of slow motion as he shows Lenny gracing the Vatican personnel with his presence. He glides across screen from left to right with non-diagetic music to the admiration and respect of the on-lookers until sitting upon his papal chair. He embodies a pious pose while envisioning a lovely topless blonde sitting in a green pasture as he presumably, as a young boy, looks on. He comes to and makes his way to the Papal Balcony where a deafening roar is heard from a rain-soaked crowd waiting to hear his Holiness. The rain stops, the clouds clear and the sun shines forth and again the crowd roars. Lenny as Pius XIII begins a most dynamic and appropriate speech on how he serves God and how he serves the audience before switching it up telling the audience to indulge in forbidden pleasures and desires including masturbation, gay marriage and a free and liberated lifestyle. At this point, his Secretary of State tells Pius he is not the Pope, that the Secretary of State is Pope and that Pius XIII is excommunicated. A cut is made to Lenny awakening from a sleep. From here Sorrentino takes the viewer on a wild ride as he delves into the psychological state of the young pope through moments of Belardo's introspection and through his interactions with his subordinates.

Cinematographer Luca Bigazzi creates a plethora of luscious visuals throughout the seamless shown. Laura Rosenthal and Annamaria Sambucco have complied a stellar cast. The cast does look the parts with thanks to the work of Carlo Poggioli and Luca Canfora. The musical score by Lele Marchitelli keeps pace with the action. The production design is exquisite and is handled by Ludovica Ferrario. The editing is seamless. Cristiano Travaglioli is credited with editing.

All in all, the Young Pope proved to be highly entertaining. Law brings style and swagger to the role of Lenny. Silvio Orlando brings to life the machinations and cajoling of Secretary of State, Cardinal Voiello and Cecele De France adds nicely to the film's rich cinematography in close ups as the Vatican Marketer Sofia Dubois. Last and certainly not least, Diane Keaton solidly depicts Sister Mary adding a much needed grounding presence as Sorrentino is not pulling any punches with his attempts for humor. Nevertheless, it is a delightful production with interesting dialogue and a dark, ominous and foreboding first Papal Speech.

My recommendation is don't miss a chance to see 'The Young Pope.' Go for it! God willing...

The Young Pope is a joint Sky, HBO, CANAL+ production and will be broadcast on Sky Atlantic in 5 countries: in Italy from October 21st, in UK, Germany, Ireland and Austria from late October, and in France on CANAL+ from late October.

Surprisingly refreshing and original

[sdurgin-40296 · 7/10 · 15 November 2016]

Entertaining. At first glance, seems like another arrogant attempt at modernity, but this impression fades rapidly with the clever writing and occasional unexpected turns.

What is refreshing: A pope depicted who actually searches, apparently struggles to find God and battles with his own conscience while sizing up and cutting down his subjects. Petulant, youthful, distrustful yet demanding respect and insisting on infallibility as an absolute sovereign...

Just like the Holy See's attitude and position in a world that has evolved beyond its teachings, but still does not fathom the danger in its unchecked political maneuverings.

What better example to express to the outside world the notion that any one of us can know God as we are known.

Highly entertaining dare I say a classic in the making

[andrewmosse · 10/10 · 28 October 2016]

Unconventional look at the Vatican.It is Superbly filmed and has smart dialogues with powerful acting by Jude Law who is Oscar Emmy material rolled into one. Subject is treated with complexity and asks from viewer close attention but avoids getting boring and manages to maintain a strange atmosphere throughout. Although there are a few mistakes here and there like trying to make a statement with the pope and his mother smoking cigarettes in scenes where simply the situation did not ask for it and really seemed awkward and forced the overall impression after watching the first two episodes is highly positive.I was losing hope I will ever get the chance to watch something worth watching but here it is!

do not miss it!

Does not live up to its potential

[Vincentfoti · 6/10 · 24 November 2019]

I really thought this show could be great, but ends up being a waste of time. I was expecting House if Cards, but at the Vatican. But instead, the show ends of being a meditation on an unlikeable character. The Pope doesn't come of as lovable or an anti-hero or even Machiavellian, but rather, just... (for lack of a better term) kind of a dick. I would be fine with the show being pro-Catholic OR heretical, but it is neither. It barely scratches the surface of the intrigue and politics surrounding the Vatican, and instead is just a tepid character study. This show could have been so much more if it had just picked a side!

Great Acting... but so boring

[osterj-47244 · 4/10 · 6 August 2018]

I didn't really know what to expect going in to this show. I was interested to see how my Catholic wife felt about this show as well. She didn't have any issues with it from a religious stand point but one thing we did agree upon is how boring this show is. Full transparency we only got halfway through the season before quitting because we just didn't care. Nothing happens except people talking. They walk and talk, sit and talk, stare awkwardly at one another before talking, talk about what to talk about later, and have visions just to talk to them. Don't get me wrong the acting is great and the setting is fantastic but there was little substance to keep my attention. I was hoping for a look at the inner workings of the Vatican with a little excitement but found myself just browsing Reddit while people conversed in the background. For a show set within such an old instition that has been involved in so much world history it sure came off as exciting as watching people walk through a garden talking.

Masterpiece - totally original, witty, creative

[braquecubism · 10/10 · 3 October 2019]

Some love it, some hate it- I can understand that- I LOVE it. truly genius & original. that's also why it can be hard to understand at 1st, what's happening and what Sorrentino is going for. I didn't think the story was tired (some of the nay critics) and as it goes along, it is very original. Diane Keaton is a nun, what do you expect in the catholic church- Jude Law is an enigma. 1st time I watched the 1st episode, I didn't know what I had seen. I had to go back and watch it again. the interest builds- I found this so interesting and engaging. this is truly something new and original. If you love the Catholic church, you won't like this. The scenery and the art direction is truly wonderful. This is not a lucky accident. it's talent & creativity. I am not the biggest Jude Law fan, till this. Diane Keaton is wonderful in a role she deserves (she's been in some turkeys as of late, not much for a woman over 60 out there). Next miniseries, the New Pope, has John Malkovich in the lead, truly one of my least favorite, over-rated actors. Disappointed. I just hope they don't let him do an accent!!!! as for Sorrentino, he can be uneven, in his work. He can be unexpected. those who take chances, sometimes they fail. This is in my opinion, a big success. also, he is a truly skilled craftsman, understanding film.

A trully cinematic masterpiece

[franciscoicmatos-49171 · 10/10 · 25 March 2023]

Sorrentino's "The Young Pope" is a trully cinematic masterpiece.

The complexity of human relations, the ambiguity of the characters, the lights, que songs, the dialogue.

All put together on a sort of "desorganized organization".

We feel ourselves loving and hating, just to love and hate again.

We found ourselves with tears on our faces and laughs on our mouths.

The doors of imagination, the unconfortable "grey area", where nothing is perfect... The way the creators adress the inherent complex of Human Nature is just impossible to put on words.

Jude Law, Diane Keating and Silvio Orlando present us with an acting masterclass. Photography and light management are also perfect.

Trully believe this series will grow in recognition over time, as more people are able to discover it.

My first 10 out of 10 review. Enjoy... And be happy.

A very enjoyable and engaging Watch

[LipjamUK · 10/10 · 21 November 2016]

Having watched this on the back of Genius my estimation of Jude Law, as an actor, has soared. His portrayal as the main character is fresh and competent.

I love this genre and to be honest was not so sure about this interpretation initially. It is unconventional and a bit raunchy as is the way with most modern story telling. However, with this caveat in mind it is an excellent concept, exceedingly well executed, acted and directed.

The confrontation of modern expectations and traditional morals is well handled. This is definitely one for the thinking person and if you like to be mentally engaged then this series is for you.

Highly recommended.

Intelligent and provoking

[yakdental · 10/10 · 23 November 2016]

What is righteousness? a question often ignored or worse yet, it's answered is assumed. Does being a Saint mean turning the other cheek? Can causing pain be the right thing to do? Who gets to decide what is Just, when difficult choices lie on the sides of the scale? Truth and Belief, Faith and Lies, tangled, mixed up. Discerning the thread to follow in life is what our greatest challenge is.

These are the questions this beautifully misleading piece art address head-on, while flanking you in a surprise maneuver.

It is inspiring and scary. This is a review, not a philosophy discussion so I will end here. JUST WATCH! :)

Best series I've seen for years

[manuelbarradas · 10/10 · 30 November 2016]

Just like the Pope should be, only is missing Pius XIII to say that Castro was indeed a Dictator.

Brilliant footage.

Beautiful dialogues.

Dazling performing from ALL actors.

This series just leaves ALL the political correctness completely aside, of course Main Stream Media will never advertise or talk about this series, they want us uninformed.

Best regards to the full team who made possible this series.

God Bless and guide us Cristians towards God.

Who IS this guy?...

[AlsExGal · 10/10 · 26 February 2017]

...Just as the people of Gotham wondered who Batman was, what made him what he was, I wonder who IS Pope Pius XIII. He is Machiavellian, he has no problems humiliating people such as the Italian prime minister, and boasting about it to a journalist, telling her the secret to humiliating someone is to not let them know they've been humiliated. Hardly Christ-like.

After a young woman who had been barren spends time with the Pope and then becomes pregnant and gives birth, Pius visits the hospital where mother, father, and baby are. The parents have chosen the name "Pius" for the child and Lenny finds a way to insult the husband not once but twice, the last time calling the child "Pius XIV" to perhaps cast doubt on the child's paternity. Nope, there was no papal canoodling that produced this child ... but the husband acts unsure and Lenny/Pius picks up on it and needlessly exploits it.

He gives his address to the cardinals and starts it with a knock knock joke but segues into a speech where he claims what was once open shall be hidden. He wants no compromise with the world, just fanatics for God, he wants being a Catholic to be hard work. He doesn't care if that means less followers.

But Pius XIII is also Lenny Belardo, an orphan raised in a Catholic orphanage with Sister Mary (Diane Keaton) as a stand-in mother, although she warns him not to think of her that way. Actually Lenny was abandoned, and where his mother is and why she found him so disposable is never far from his mind nor far from his acts as pope.

How did this happen? The conclave was split between choosing a conservative and liberal pope and picked Lenny as a compromise who they thought could be easily controlled. Ironically Lenny, as pope, has the word "compromise" banned from the cardinals' vocabulary.

Besides this there is the cinematography, the acting, the way the delightful dialogue flowed in unexpected ways, and just how Lenny (and Jude Law) made it worth it all. We have the pope chain smoking, in shades, praying underwater for what seems an unnatural amount of time, raising the near dead as a teen and as pope striking down the exploitative while surrounded by 18 wheel trucks, both times with a silent prayer. What he said to God is all of ours to guess.

We'll see about season two, but as long as they have Law on board it could be done. Bottom line is that it was a most enjoyably exacting and unique experience. I would be surprised if it does not get an Emmy nod, even if it is unlikely to win due to the views of the young pope.

Try it. It will have you thinking about it each week and hoping for a Region One DVD release. I do, and I was raised a Baptist.

provocative

[Kirpianuscus · 29 October 2016]

its basic virtue - it is a provocative series. because it could be perceived as blasphemy. or honest perspective about Romano- Catholic Church. because it could be discovered as free adaptation of Karamazov Brothers. or as next step of the successor of Francis I. because it seems more than fiction. and it is a refined embroidery of themes about Vatican who becomes more shining in the new light. Jude Law is Pius XIII. the role is the perfect clothes for him and nobody could be imagine in the lead role. Diane Keaton does an interesting role. maybe, too interesting, remembering Borgia series. it is a provocative project. this is its virtue and its sin. and the basic motif to see a series with, at the first sigh, huge ambitions. like the young pope.because its great virtue is the delicate-precise manner to remind the essence of Christianity. and the fragility of man. it is almost one of the Eastern Orthodox story, maybe, Russian, about faith and its challenges. so, just a provocative series.

Great storytelling without a story

[Danuvius01 · 6/10 · 19 May 2019]

The Young Pope is a really unique series. Jude Law and also the supporting actors are great or even amazing. The composition of the shots is astonishing in every episode. Really beatifully made. But there is one thing that is missing the story and/or the message. There is none.

The Pope starts off as someone coming from 200 years ago, like a fundementalist as we call it today in other religions. I thought for a while that maybe the series will show a fundamentist turn (or return) in christianity. But it is not happening. Also he is struggling with belief and being an orphan, but it is also not a character development story. Besides his radical views he has some 'nice' thoughts for which others call him saint. I wouldn't call him that at all. But this 'saint story' will also not pan out. Although sometimes it seems that the message is: if you are a saint sometimes, ut is OK to have radical views and try to enforce them. I hope this was not the message. In the 21st centur his views are not acceptable in any way, saint or not.

A disruptive and caustic pope who will be loved and hated in equal measure.

[filipemanuelneto · 9/10 · 12 February 2022]

There are lots of series and movies about popes, the Holy See and the Catholic Church. Many are good. There can be more critical and caustic or sympathetic to the Church, but they always captivate an audience attracted by the seductive theme, in which morality is associated with tradition, brightness and pomp, and the expectation of something scandalous.

This series does not deviate much from these rules and gives us a panorama difficult to imagine: after the death of a popular pope, very dear to everyone (who could well be the current pontiff), the Conclave, despite all the maneuvers of manipulation, chooses a young American cardinal, Lenny Belardo, a protégé of one of the main candidates for the papacy, Cardinal Spencer, Archbishop of New York. Indifferent to everyone's shock (especially the old American Cardinal, who hoped to be elected, and Cardinal Secretary of State Voiello, the face of a manipulative and cynical papal curia), Lenny accepts and takes the name Pius XIII, leading to an unparalleled revolution: preferring not to publicize his image and to maintain as little contact as possible with the faithful, he hides and tries to free the Church from the pressure of public opinion and easy popularity, while fighting with a disloyal curia, problems of pedophilia and homosexuality and his own inner demons and doubts.

Paolo Sorrentino managed to give us a truly disruptive pope: the 20th century has been the time of "superstar" popes who draw crowds and travel the world in contact with the faithful, using their image to spread the faith, build bridges with other beliefs and combat hunger, insecurity and war. It has never been easier to know where the pope is and what he is doing, and we have never seen a papacy so stripped down and almost ashamed of its own wealth. Sorrentino breaks with this and gives us a Pius XIII that we can both hate and admire: he is narcissistic despite hiding himself, and he wants to have a good physical shape and a grandiose appearance, not shying away from resurrecting robes, ceremonies and imperial apparatus, as we haven't seen since John XXIII, in order to impose his authority on the Church. In this series, the (few) masses we see are in Latin, with the celebrant facing away from the assembly, and the pope never leaves Italy. There is an atmosphere of surrealism that can be seen in the way Sorrentino uses oneiric themes such as dream, illusion and hallucination. As the series evolves, however, the director tries to relieve the pressure and give a friendly and sympathetic conclusion to his story, which breaks with what was happening in the initial phase of the series, almost to the point of contradicting himself. Adding to this problem, the series lacks a good sense of time passing: we can't really tell if the story takes place over several years or several months.

The lavish cast is led brilliantly by Jude Law, who perfectly embodies his role and manages to be equally obnoxious and sympathetic. Diane Keaton also surprises and delights us as Sister Mary, a nun who raised Belardo in an orphanage and now acts as his personal secretary, and whom Sorrentino even places as a "power behind the throne" of his pope. Silvio Orlando and Javier Cámara are very good in the roles of two cardinals of great importance: the hypocritical Secretary of State Voiello and the alcoholic and kind Gutierrez, who is also the Papal Ceremoniary. Much less interesting are the appearances of actors like Scott Shepherd or Ludivine Sagnier. Both promised a lot and had good characters (a cardinal who had been in a relationship with the wife of a drug dealer and who appears to be bisexual, and the religious wife of a Swiss Guard who betrays him with a priest and is recruited to seduce the pope), but they're both dropped by somewhat abruptly and unpleasantly, aborting their respective sub-plots.

Technically, the series did wonders with its hefty 47 million euro budget: without the blessing to shoot in the Vatican, the environments were recreated in the studio and are excellent in the amount of detail and choice of props and furniture. The costumes and robes used are rich in detail and could perfectly be used by real prelates and cardinals without any problem. There are still several scenes shot in very good Italian filming locations, and the cinematography is pleasant and never feels televised or reductive. The dialogues and speeches are very well written and intriguing, and the contemporary soundtrack often adds to the surrealism of certain scenes.

Surreal and Yet Somewhat Confusing Fictional Pope

[classicalsteve · 7/10 · 17 January 2017]

For some reason, when I began watching the first episode of this series, I thought this was an historical account of a pope who happened to begin his tenure when he was "relatively" young, which in Roman Catholic Pope terms, that's probably under 50. For those of you who may be tentatively interested in this series, "The Young Pope" is not an historical account of a pope. This is an entirely fictional narrative about a young North American pope who during the first episode desires to break with the religious traditions which have been keeping the Vatican stuck in a proverbial time machine for more or less 1500 years. Yes, the Vatican has electricity, its own television channel and even its own website which it updates periodically. However, the inner workings of the Vatican have essentially functioned as if it's still in the early Middle Ages. Princes and dukes don't arrive asking for land grants and bishoprics as they did in the Late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, but ceremonially, it's still the Roman Catholic Church as it for well over 1000 years.

Jude Law in an interesting and understated performance plays Pope Pius XIII (note the unlucky number) who has come to the papacy as a radical change: he's the first North American pope from the United States. The film begins with the new pope having some surreal dreams, first dreaming he's in a pit among baby corpses, waking up, then giving a speech about his radical changes to the masses in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. Then he wakes up again. He is obviously new to the job but the story begins after Conclave, the assemblage of cardinals who choose the new pope after one has either died or resigned. He's meeting his inner circle who need to teach him the ways of the Vatican. Unfortunately, he's not a terribly good student, questioning the traditions and rules some of which were instituted 15 years ago while others were put in place 500 years ago.

To make matters more uncomfortable for the clergy in the Vatican, probably causing them more sleepless nights, he solicits the help of Sister Mary (Diane Keaton), apparently his guardian since he was a child. We see a few scenes of his childhood in flashback. The other senior members are a bit nonplussed by Sister Mary's presence in the Vatican as a confidante and adviser, but there's nothing they can do about it. He is pope and whatever he says becomes doctrine nearly instantly. If he wants Sister Mary, he gets her, despite that other priests and clergy who have spent nearly a lifetime in the Vatican may protest privately. But that's just the beginning. He even compels one of the priests to violate his vow secrecy in the confessional, and the pope learns about some intra-Vatican intrigue.

This series is a bit strange; I have no sense where it's going and even why I care about this "new" pope. He keeps asking for a Cherry Coke Zero and cigarettes which conflict with current papal comportment. While the visuals are amazing, I was finding my attention drifting away from the story. The first episode doesn't really seem like a story at all, but more like a set-up. The scenes are constructed in large open spaces where often only a handful of characters occupy. Probably the Vatican is occasionally like this, especially in their large chapels, but there's usually lots going on. The Vatican is a vibrant political organization at its core. "The Young Pope" appears to be portraying a different and surreal Vatican, one which is more dreamlike than the actual place. Interestingly, this series which has already aired in its entirety in other parts of Europe and Britain, was a surprise hit in Italy.

Not profound

[mariapaganop · 5/10 · 28 November 2018]

I'm not gonna endlessly rant about it. The young Pope is not horrid but not clever either. It has some strong points- this interesting diffusion of the power of social media with the power of god. The church under the scope of marketing.. this part can be considered original. But all this outmoded freudian obsessions about the Pope's parents, about being an orphan are really tiring from time to time. Also the characters lack depth without exception. Overall not bad, just a superficial approach