This film is, first and foremost, a detailed account of how the mechanisms of the Church,and specifically the Vatican, work: much of it consists of a careful depiction of the slow, tightly regulated processes through which a new Pope comes to power.
Within this broader framework, shaped by the alternation between real footage and faithful reconstructions, a series of deeply fascinating and highly charismatic characters bring to life the dynamics of power, human psychology, and many other aspects of life.
What struck me is how, despite its slow structure and long runtime, the film remains extremely engaging: every line of dialogue holds your attention, every shot is elegant and balanced, and every scene is interesting from every point of view.
This film is, first and foremost, a detailed account of how the mechanisms of the Church,and specifically the Vatican, work: much of it consists of a careful depiction of the slow, tightly regulated processes through which a new Pope comes to power.
Within this broader framework, shaped by the alternation between real footage and faithful reconstructions, a series of deeply fascinating and highly charismatic characters bring to life the dynamics of power, human psychology, and many other aspects of life.
What struck me is how, despite its slow structure and long runtime, the film remains extremely engaging: every line of dialogue holds your attention, every shot is elegant and balanced, and every scene is interesting from every point of view.
