The Young Pope (2016)

The Papal Conclave elects the youthful Lenny Belardo (Jude Law) to become the first American pope. The leaders of the conclave assume because of his youth and inexperience they will be able to control him. Instead, to their horror, what they get is an arrogant and vain conservative reactionary, high on his new found power,  who wants to turn the clock back on the Church's "liberal" leanings and once again, shroud the church in secrecy. Written and directed by Paolo Sorrentino (THE GREAT BEAUTY), this nine hour mini series is a compelling watch. Assisted by his cinematographer Luca Bigazzi, Sorrentino unleashes a tableau of ravishing, often surreal, imagery. Law's young Pope's journey is a complex and fascinating one. This is no GOING MY WAY, as Sorrentino lets us in the plotting and machinations within the Vatican and it's often quite sensual (as when a priest has a three way with a married woman and a young stud) but it's not anti-Catholic either. There is a lot of wit too as when LMAO's I'm Sexy And I Know It plays over Jude Law putting on his papal robes. Don't be surprised if your eyes water up during Law's big speech at the end though I wish I wasn't so aware of how calculated it was. The superb cast includes Diane Keaton as the Pope's nun confidante, James Cromwell, Silvio Orlando, Scott Shepherd, Ludivine Sagnier, Cecile De France, Andre Gregory and Javier Camara, who gives the film's best performance as an alcoholic Cardinal.