Before the first anniversary of John Paul II's death, the Polish cinemas released the latest film by John Kent Harrison at the beginning of March. The premiere was a real celebration. The director together with producers and cast came to Poland and met with bishops and the Polish president. While seeing all this, many people perhaps thought: "Why so much talk of another pope's biopic?" We have had many movies made so far, including KAROL (2005) by Giacomo Battiato, released in summer 2005. However, when I went to see Harrison's film, I must say that it is not yet another film on the life of John Paul II. This movie fulfills a specific aim that other films failed to do.
There are a few versions of POPE JOHN PAUL II (2005) with different events in focus. Polish version, for instance, has more emphasis on the 1980 Solidarnosc uprising. Nevertheless, there is a HIGHLY BALANCED content in the film so that the audiences of various viewpoints may find something for themselves. Young people may see some reflections of their struggles in the youngsters meeting with the pope. I will never forget the beautiful World Youth Day's song that the movie entailed, "Jesus Christ you are my Lord (...)" World Youth day is showed beautifully in the film. Sometimes, real archives of John Paul II are provided. Non Christians may enjoy this movie because of a number of moments emphasizing the dignity of any human being no matter if he/she is a Jew, a Muslim, a Buddhist, or an atheist. Finally, lonely people who suffer may find their resemblance in the pope who suffered too, particularly before his death when He could not speak, could not even proclaim to the world again the most joyous message of the Risen Lord on Easter Sunday. Therefore, this balance is a must to consider in this film thanks to which many people can enjoy it.
THE BIOGRAPHY IN BIOPIC. Of course, it is difficult to show most biographical events in a two or even three hour-long film. John Paul II lived for 85 years and his almost 27 year-long pontiff was so intense that it is impossible to entail everything. What is, however, important in a biopic, is to show someone's life in such a way that a viewer gets a general idea of what it's all about. For further information, books are, with no doubt, a must. No film can do the job of a book. Nevertheless, I think that Harrison's movie serves the purpose of an accurate biopic. Producers consulted Stanislaw Dziwisz, a lifelong companion of John Paul II, Joaquin Navarro Valls, the representative of Vatican City. The movie, though beginning "in media res" (the attempt on the life of John Paul II on May, the 13th, 1981), provides the most significant events of Wojtyla's life as well as his most important thoughts. Viewers can clearly see: his youth and difficulties in WWII period, his constant confidence and Love to God, the power of his prayer, his friendships, suffering (showed in a gentle way), care for family and its dignity, his growth to sainthood. I particularly liked one aspect of the film: other people that Wojtyla met having impact on his faith. Their words filled with hope moved young Karol and strengthened his faith in God. Archbishop Adam Sapieha, a great brave man who kept priests secretly study in his palace while Germans could find them and kill at any time, says once to Wojtyla: "Our faith and intelligence shall win (...) trust in God!" Jan Tyranowski consoles young Karol that prayer shall win. His dying father leaves him hope for a better Poland, a better world. Who could predict then that this young boy will be the one who will change Poland?... This aspect is gorgeous because John Paul II himself kept saying that most people, whom God sent to him, taught him how to live and hope.
PERFORMANCES: The cast do wonderful jobs. Although it is difficult to get used to the face of Jon Voight since we all know and freshly remember John Paul II himself, he acts so well that it's easy to switch to him. While seeing the film, I got an impression that Voight sets all his heart on the role. I also liked Christopher Lee as cardinal Wyszynski. He is, perhaps, a too famous actor and his other roles may influence this one. Nevertheless, he particularly well expresses the way Wyszynski behaved and spoke. Young Karol Wojtyla is nicely played by Cary Elwes. The most memorable moment with him was, I think, when he takes part in conclave. This is, by the way, the first movie that shows conclave so accurately.
SENTIMENTALITY. The film, like the pope himself, is pretty sentimental. It is full of such scenes that address human feelings, emotions, affection. Music by Marco Frisina, a mainstay in biblical epics, is a short piece but very touching. I liked it and felt moved by it. In some of the scenes, it fits really well. And the shots in the mountains...magnificent impression!
Difficult to express all opinion in one review. There is one thing certain: people who played in this film will never be the same people as they used to be before. Similarly to many who met the pope, something changed in them. The movie, like the life of this great man, is a sort of link between sorrow and joy, pain and relief, dusk and dawn. The film ends with John Paul II's death. However, when leaving the cinema, many people have the impression of sorrow combined with triumph. The final archive of the original funeral (millions calling SANTO SUBITO!), indeed, leaves a strange feeling...that this man still lives, but in a different sense. Only his earthly life, like the Book of Gospels on his coffin, closed... Highly recommended film! 9/10
There are a few versions of POPE JOHN PAUL II (2005) with different events in focus. Polish version, for instance, has more emphasis on the 1980 Solidarnosc uprising. Nevertheless, there is a HIGHLY BALANCED content in the film so that the audiences of various viewpoints may find something for themselves. Young people may see some reflections of their struggles in the youngsters meeting with the pope. I will never forget the beautiful World Youth Day's song that the movie entailed, "Jesus Christ you are my Lord (...)" World Youth day is showed beautifully in the film. Sometimes, real archives of John Paul II are provided. Non Christians may enjoy this movie because of a number of moments emphasizing the dignity of any human being no matter if he/she is a Jew, a Muslim, a Buddhist, or an atheist. Finally, lonely people who suffer may find their resemblance in the pope who suffered too, particularly before his death when He could not speak, could not even proclaim to the world again the most joyous message of the Risen Lord on Easter Sunday. Therefore, this balance is a must to consider in this film thanks to which many people can enjoy it.
THE BIOGRAPHY IN BIOPIC. Of course, it is difficult to show most biographical events in a two or even three hour-long film. John Paul II lived for 85 years and his almost 27 year-long pontiff was so intense that it is impossible to entail everything. What is, however, important in a biopic, is to show someone's life in such a way that a viewer gets a general idea of what it's all about. For further information, books are, with no doubt, a must. No film can do the job of a book. Nevertheless, I think that Harrison's movie serves the purpose of an accurate biopic. Producers consulted Stanislaw Dziwisz, a lifelong companion of John Paul II, Joaquin Navarro Valls, the representative of Vatican City. The movie, though beginning "in media res" (the attempt on the life of John Paul II on May, the 13th, 1981), provides the most significant events of Wojtyla's life as well as his most important thoughts. Viewers can clearly see: his youth and difficulties in WWII period, his constant confidence and Love to God, the power of his prayer, his friendships, suffering (showed in a gentle way), care for family and its dignity, his growth to sainthood. I particularly liked one aspect of the film: other people that Wojtyla met having impact on his faith. Their words filled with hope moved young Karol and strengthened his faith in God. Archbishop Adam Sapieha, a great brave man who kept priests secretly study in his palace while Germans could find them and kill at any time, says once to Wojtyla: "Our faith and intelligence shall win (...) trust in God!" Jan Tyranowski consoles young Karol that prayer shall win. His dying father leaves him hope for a better Poland, a better world. Who could predict then that this young boy will be the one who will change Poland?... This aspect is gorgeous because John Paul II himself kept saying that most people, whom God sent to him, taught him how to live and hope.
PERFORMANCES: The cast do wonderful jobs. Although it is difficult to get used to the face of Jon Voight since we all know and freshly remember John Paul II himself, he acts so well that it's easy to switch to him. While seeing the film, I got an impression that Voight sets all his heart on the role. I also liked Christopher Lee as cardinal Wyszynski. He is, perhaps, a too famous actor and his other roles may influence this one. Nevertheless, he particularly well expresses the way Wyszynski behaved and spoke. Young Karol Wojtyla is nicely played by Cary Elwes. The most memorable moment with him was, I think, when he takes part in conclave. This is, by the way, the first movie that shows conclave so accurately.
SENTIMENTALITY. The film, like the pope himself, is pretty sentimental. It is full of such scenes that address human feelings, emotions, affection. Music by Marco Frisina, a mainstay in biblical epics, is a short piece but very touching. I liked it and felt moved by it. In some of the scenes, it fits really well. And the shots in the mountains...magnificent impression!
Difficult to express all opinion in one review. There is one thing certain: people who played in this film will never be the same people as they used to be before. Similarly to many who met the pope, something changed in them. The movie, like the life of this great man, is a sort of link between sorrow and joy, pain and relief, dusk and dawn. The film ends with John Paul II's death. However, when leaving the cinema, many people have the impression of sorrow combined with triumph. The final archive of the original funeral (millions calling SANTO SUBITO!), indeed, leaves a strange feeling...that this man still lives, but in a different sense. Only his earthly life, like the Book of Gospels on his coffin, closed... Highly recommended film! 9/10