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We Have a Pope

Original title: Habemus Papam
  • 2011
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
15K
YOUR RATING
We Have a Pope (2011)
When Melville, a cardinal, suddenly finds himself elected as the next Pope, he panics as he's presented to the faithful in St. Peter's Square.  To prevent a world wide crisis, the Vatican's spokesman calls in an unlikely psychiatrist who is neither religious or all that committed to find out what is wrong with the new Pope.
Play trailer1:42
1 Video
41 Photos
SatireComedyDrama

A story centered on the relationship between the newly elected Pope and his therapist.A story centered on the relationship between the newly elected Pope and his therapist.A story centered on the relationship between the newly elected Pope and his therapist.

  • Director
    • Nanni Moretti
  • Writers
    • Nanni Moretti
    • Francesco Piccolo
    • Federica Pontremoli
  • Stars
    • Michel Piccoli
    • Nanni Moretti
    • Jerzy Stuhr
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.7/10
    15K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Nanni Moretti
    • Writers
      • Nanni Moretti
      • Francesco Piccolo
      • Federica Pontremoli
    • Stars
      • Michel Piccoli
      • Nanni Moretti
      • Jerzy Stuhr
    • 44User reviews
    • 178Critic reviews
    • 64Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 19 wins & 20 nominations total

    Videos1

    U.S. Version
    Trailer 1:42
    U.S. Version

    Photos41

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    Top cast53

    Edit
    Michel Piccoli
    Michel Piccoli
    • Il papa
    Nanni Moretti
    Nanni Moretti
    • Lo psicoanalista
    Jerzy Stuhr
    Jerzy Stuhr
    • Il portavoce
    Renato Scarpa
    Renato Scarpa
    • Cardinal Gregori
    Franco Graziosi
    • Cardinal Bollati
    Camillo Milli
    • Cardinal Pescardona
    Roberto Nobile
    • Cardinal Cevasco
    Ulrich von Dobschütz
    • Cardinal Brummer
    Gianluca Gobbi
    • Guardia svizzera
    Margherita Buy
    Margherita Buy
    • La psicoanalista
    Camilla Ridolfi
    • Bambina
    Leonardo Della Bianca
    Leonardo Della Bianca
    • Giulio
    Dario Cantarelli
    Dario Cantarelli
    • Attore
    Manuela Mandracchia
    • Attrice
    Rossana Mortara
    • Attrice
    Teco Celio
    • Attore
    Roberto De Francesco
    • Attore
    Chiara Causa
    • Attrice
    • Director
      • Nanni Moretti
    • Writers
      • Nanni Moretti
      • Francesco Piccolo
      • Federica Pontremoli
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews44

    6.715.1K
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    Featured reviews

    7olivo-southdown-it

    Imperfect but deep and perceptive

    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.
    6alan-607-758799

    Wrong description.

    The description of the movie is wrongly understood. This movie is definitely NOT about the relationship of Pope and his therapist. The failed therapist has and episodic side-role. The movie is about a Bishop who cannot take the burden of responsibility and attention that falls upon him. How he struggles and how he finds courage to solve the situation. There is no relationship between a Pope and therapist who have a 10 sentence conversation. Even the other therapist - therapists wife does not have any major impact or role in the movie whatsoever. Okay she kind of connects with the Pope but has more of a satirical role considering the outcome and storyline. Misleading is this introduction. Please change it.
    chaos-rampant

    Habemus really?

    This is going to be one of the most watchable films of the year, a conversation piece to shoot the breeze around religion. It is about a new Pope elect who, after the elaborate ritual has drawn thousands of people in anxious anticipation outside the Holy See, discovers that he cannot go out on the balcony and give his blessing. He cannot be what he's expected to be.

    So the eye turns inwards for self-discovery. On that level the film adopts a tone of melancholy yearning. It is sad, just to see a man weighed down by the will of god, possibly dismayed at the silence. On the flipside it is funny, when all the ordained officials are worried about is the ceremonial shibboleth or a cup of cappuccino. It is generally bittersweet with old life greeting itself from a pulpit that demands closure, revelation. Meanwhile conjecture and idle speculation are continuously throughout the film being blabbed from the TV.

    But does it matter, which is to say can it weigh down on us or instill a silence in which to seek our words? I'm not just idling here, what I mean is this; although enjoyable on a very plain level, melancholy with red curtains fluttering in absence, and since it competed with both Tree of Life and Melancholia this year at Cannes, does it offer its own ascetic images to contemplate?

    The answer is likely no, but not for failing to provide opportunities. Exemplified in two instances, double perspectives both; one is of course at the beginning, with outside the triumph and celebration of organized faith, faith in god's will, but from inside there is only the confused, agitated mind of a plain man who must embody that will. The other is when the cardinals rejoice that the Pope is finally doing better; but of course, from our perspective, we know that inside the chambers is only an even more plain man as substitute, baffled at his newfound importance. He stages behind the papal curtains a play of light and shadow for the gathered congregation outside, this is a fitting image of what Moretti is looking to exemplify.

    So in both cases we are directed to recognize a charade of profoundest deception or false hope. Where god should be made manifest, we have instead the same hapless poor schmucks as the rest of us. There is no higher wisdom, atheists will rejoice in this. Another opinion is that his depiction of cardinals, despite the odd sour face, as kindly old men, overgrown children really, is not as scathing as some might have hoped.

    But the old man heard at the sermon, about the wisdom that comes from humility. Some weighs we let fall on our shoulders, because there's no two ways around it. So even though this spiritual absence becomes deafening in the finale, I just cannot embrace any of it.

    Catholicism may or may not deserve our modern scorn, but faith isn't doctrine. Faith being a personal attainment, it is not an old man greeting us from a balcony.
    6jadepietro

    Il papa, Can You Hear Me?

    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
    9mateomontoya56

    great prophetic movie

    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.

    Portrayals of the Pope On Screen

    Portrayals of the Pope On Screen

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    Jude Law and John Malkovich in The New Pope (2020)
    Photos

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi forbade Nanni Moretti to film at the Vatican.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Cannes Film Festival 2011 (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      Todo Cambia
      Written by Julio Numhauser

      Performed by Mercedes Sosa

      Warner Chappell Music Argentina / Warner Chappell Music Italiana

      1984 Polygram Discos

      Courtesy of Universal Music Italia

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    FAQ18

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 15, 2011 (Italy)
    • Countries of origin
      • Italy
      • France
    • Official sites
      • Official site (France)
      • Official site (Italy)
    • Languages
      • Italian
      • German
      • Latin
      • English
      • Spanish
      • Polish
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Ta Đã Có Giáo Hoàng
    • Filming locations
      • Palazzo Farnese, Rome, Lazio, Italy(Vatican courtyard)
    • Production companies
      • Sacher Film
      • Fandango
      • Le Pacte
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • €9,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $548,115
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $31,368
      • Apr 8, 2012
    • Gross worldwide
      • $17,877,523
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 42 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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