A fine piece of film-making, especially impressive as it’s basically about a load of cardinals writing names down for 2 hours. The soundtrack does a lot to drive a sense of foreboding, and the direction has a pace and drama that brings a good story to life. Even with that it still adds a couple of totally unexpected jumpstart/reveal moments.
It takes a claustrophobic setting but doesn’t feel claustrophobic, capturing the isolation of the process without overwhelming the viewer. Ralph…
Surprisingly not the best film of all time. Richard Curtis has shown how to make unashamedly sentimental but funny films , this just seemed lazy. Mainly with the script, but RZ character reminds you of no one you’ve ever met. Trying to be dizzy yet just inane, and at the same time the ‘best tv producer ever’ . Not sure why she walks like she’s had a spinal injury either. Gains half a star though just for classic Hugh Grant.
Weirdly long but didn’t feel it. Great style and intensity, and felt so genuine I thought it was a real biopic. Narrative a bit too fragmented at times (is it about the post war struggle for European Jewish emigrants, fractured relationships, tortured genius or US decadence?) but overall a refreshingly different film.
