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I'm pretty sure any intelligent movie goer will walk away from this beautifully crafted movie fully admiring it. It deftly pulls off what other films involving the Vatican never even tried and that is depict its logical procedures and politics. And though that may sound dull and boring there isn't a dull moment in this movie.

All the parts are played extremely well starting with a flawless depiction of the main character, Cardinal Lawrence by Ralph Fiennes who if there are rewards to be given out is the surest bet for Best Actor I've seen in many years. I'd swear the man was born a Cardinal which is surprising considering the roles he's more famous for like The Grand Budapest Hotel and Schindler's List.

Of the supporting actors they too were wonderful. I especially liked John Lithgow's portrayal of an ambitious and devious Cardinal who somehow maintains an air of respectability throughout.

As someone who is not a fan of religion I didn't want to see a film about the Vatican. The praise it was getting got me to see it and I have to say that it's well worth seeing. Any complaints I may have are overwhelmed by its virtues.

I was never a Dylan fan. So I was surprised when his songs were hitting me more now that I'm in my old age than when they were new. Still have no idea why but I appreciate them more now. My reason for seeing this film had a lot to do with trying to explain my new appreciation.

The first thing that hit me was the sheer talent on display, Chalamet does the impossible. He channels a version of Dylan that was quite loving of the real Dylan. And when. Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez started singing, I thought for sure I'd cringe. Once again, she actually evoked Baez, probably the most unique voice of that era, next to Dylan's.

There's more to praise here including Edward Norton's take on Pete Seeger, and a wonderful turn on Johnny Cash by. Boyd Holbrook.

My only complaint is that, as in real life, Dylan's music changes and that it causes rancor. It's fairly represented here as in the book that it's based on. And it made me recollect a lot I'd forgotten.

There's something very impressive about this movie. I lived through the 80s and it evokes it very well but what it does best is pull off realistic dialogue and gunfights and the feeling you've met the kind of bad guy shown here. There's a lot of unusual use of silence and pauses that I found really effective. On the more negative side, Jude Law, one of my favorites seems a bit off here. And one scene seems to have been written to cover up what the FBI probably really did (though I've no real proof).

Anyway, I was held rapt the whole movie. And it helped that Nicholas Hoult is perfectly cast here. Without him the whole movie would have dropped considerably in quality. Everything revolves around him and for good reason.