Saving Grace

I have not seen this movie in over 15 years, I am sure. I saw this movie because I tried something a bit different one day. I had a hankering to watch something that I would really like, so I came into the video rental store one time and asked the attendant, "Can you recommend a movie that is really good that I would not even know about, one that might be a real sleeper?" (A sleeper is something that looks rather ho hum on the outside, but is great on the inside.) He gave me Saving Grace, and told me that I would not be disappointed. Man, he was ever right! What a wonderful film. I saw it only once, and ever since I have been wondering if I could buy it. (I have looked on e auction site without success...so far) I have yet to find this movie. BTW- I have since gone into video stores and asked the same kind of question in hopes of finding other movies that would be so well done, but have NEVER had another recommendation that matched SAVING GRACE. I believe that you will not be disappointed with Saving Grace as well, IF you find it. (If you do, could you post it, please?)

Talk about sleeper movies, this is one. It is a totally watchable movie with great acting, etc, (you don't have to be Catholic to enjoy). The description is enough to turn off most people, but persevere it is not a movie that beats you over the head with religion. If you are looking for car chases, or zombies, or naked women, this is not the movie for you. But if you are looking for absolute entertainment and a good ending please watch it and enjoy! "A newly-elected Pope Leo XIV finds himself accidentally locked out of the Vatican. Unknown to the outside world, he winds up in an impoverished Italian village, where his adventures ultimately teach the Pope and his new friends some important lessons about friendship and self-esteem. "

I must admit that my main reason for doing a comment on this film is that there aren't already 200 about it. I haven't seen this movie in forever and am not sure how my family ever heard of it. But I remember it as a very sweet and sincere little movie about a pope putting his money where his mouth is, getting off his high horse and actually helping those that need it. The movie is funny along the way but, more importantly makes you really think about what you believe in and, once you decide, how that should affect the way you live your life.

Others have already synopsized the movie for you, so I will just stick with the fun stuff...

As a longtime fan, I have an old VHS tape with three of Tom Conti's very best performances on it, all recorded off cable back in the late 80's: The Gospel According to Vic; Reuben, Reuben; and Saving Grace. This movie is my favorite of the three. I've probably seen it ten times. I will admit that most of the reason I love the movie hinges on Conti's delicate, relaxed performance. It's damn near perfect.

But you also get some delightful work from the magnificent Giancarlo Giannini. "You're Pope Leo, no? You're Pope Leo, yes." And a hoot of turn by adorable Angelo Evans --- the real life gypsy kid from Robert Duvall's oddball semi-doc, Angelo, My Love --- in his only real acting role. Whatever happened to that kid? He's so cute as the little gangster, Guiliano, whom Conti's character befriends.

There's also a very sweet almost-love-story and some funny stuff by Fernando Rey as Pope Leo's trusted confidante, Stefano. Eddie Olmos provides some menace as the head gangster in Montepetra.

Oh, just see it! You'll love it. I must warn you though that I think they sold the movie way wrong by calling it a comedy. It's a drama with humor. But it's definitely a feel-good flick.

Ebert liked it. Maltin hated it. Maltin's usually reliable, but not here. Tom Conti, Giancarlo Giannini, and Fernando Rey are all terrific here in improbable story about how depressed young pope gets accidentally locked out of the Vatican and has an adventure amongst Italian peasants in a remote village. This is admittedly a feel-good flick, but its message is nonetheless both strong and timeless. As an added plus: on-location cinematography is gorgeous.