Oddio, ci siamo persi il papa

This comedy drama is a relatively undiscovered jewel of a movie. I saw it only once about 15 plus years ago, so frankly have forgotten many of the details. However, I see very few comments posted so felt obligated to add my praise. For starters, this movie features lovely scenery of the Italian countryside as well as views of Rome. However, its chief merit is that it's a gentle, hopeful story with some quietly amusing moments.

Leo XIV is a new Pope who has become disillusioned with his tightly booked schedules, official audiences, and regular briefings on world affairs. He feels out of touch with the ordinary individuals outside the Vatican's walls, wonders if he has any effect on their lives, and misses daily contact with people as an ordinary priest. One day while chasing a windblown paper of gardening instructions, he is inadvertently locked out of the Vatican. The Pope makes his way to Montepetra, an obscure, impoverished village which he has overheard is in need of a priest, and thus 'goes missing' from the Vatican for a time. He finds himself helping the poor village peasants and in the process, rediscovers the joys he misses from being a regular priest where he is able to clearly see his impact upon those he serves.

Tom Conti is both compelling and endearing in the role of Pope Leo XIV. He conveys very effectively this Pope's strengths, his approachability and lack of self righteous piety, as well as exposing his sense of humour and vulnerability to temptation...his human side. It is the first time I saw Tom Conti act and I was so impressed by his portrayal in this movie that I've been a fan of his ever since.

Perhaps this film isn't that realistic, as Pope Leo appears a bit young to have been chosen for the Fisherman's Shoes and his unexplained absence from the Vatican seems unlikely. However, do we always need realism? This movie shows that even a Pope can feel trapped and have self doubts, though despite undergoing something of a minor crisis, this man's deep faith is never really in question. It is an unexpectedly lovely, optimistic, and inspiring tale that can be enjoyed by anyone, including non Catholics. Personally, I would love to locate it to watch again.

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.

After one year as pope, Leo XIV becomes disillusioned with the job. He is caught up in the cramped schedules of visiting dignitaries and the sick expecting miracles. Every morning he is briefed on world events, for which he feels powerless to do anything. He feels `completely out of touch with how most people live,' and wonders if anything he says has any effect outside the Vatican walls. He misses being a priest, when he knew he helped those he came in contact with.

One day, as he makes his way past one of the rooms, he hears a nun talk as she signed to a deaf girl who'd hitch-hiked to see the pope and ask for a priest to come back to her village. He promises her he'll find a priest for Montepetra. So when the wind blows the paper with his gardening instructions up over the walls and he chases it and finds himself locked out, he makes the most of his predicament. He makes his way to Montepetra, to be able to actually answer one of the many requests he'd had. He finds a town crippled by a plague, but more importantly, townspeople crippled by poverty. It is there that he struggles to actually do some good as a priest. He seeks to empower the residents to find the will to improve their lives.

One character worth watching is the mysterious stranger, the shepherd who stumbles upon Leo, and recognizes him as the pope.

The scenery is beautiful, as it's filmed in Italy. There's a shot early on of an aerial view of Rome, and scenes of people going about their business among the statues. The rural views must have been beautiful in the theater, but it's hard to appreciate them on the small screen.

I found this move, a comedy-drama, to be a delightful little tale about how we might be able to do some good for others, and find ourselves, our purpose, even if we get lost. While the story of Leo as the rural priest is touching, the scenes of the runaway pope is where the comedy comes in. For instance, on the same day the visitor list includes the ambassador of Brazil and the Italian soccer team, and when told of the second group, Leo asks, `Is it all right if I bless them, or would that set off an international incident?' We are shown that things aren't as bleak as they often seem. The line that illustrates this is when Leo tells the shepherd that the pope can even be `a tramp who comes to a deserted village to help some neglected people.'

It may just as well be that God can better use a tramp than a pope, or whoever we are in between.

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.

When I watch this movie I marvel at its simplicity and its dual profundity. A beautiful story of goodness,temptation,loss of faith and regaining it,the ultimate triumph of the human spirit. This movie should be watched at least once a year like "A Christmas Carol for much the same reason.Tom Conti is the perfect choice as Pope. Everyone in the cast gives credence to their roles.I liked, NO I LOVED this movie!!!!!