[rating=7.00]
It’s easy to like Pope Francis, even if you’re not a Catholic. Hell, even if you’re not religious. It’s a sad commentary on the age when you recognize that so few religious leaders today have the courage to live their lives according to their words. Pope Francis, meanwhile, seems almost destined for sainthood, living his life in the manner of his namesake, Francis Assisi.
Indeed, much of Pope Francis: A Man of His Word is devoted to reenacting the high points in the life of 13th century Italian saint, contextualizing the modern Francis’s commitment to poverty and love. It’s an interesting parallel, to be sure, though the presentation here does feel somewhat ineffective as often as not.
Those asides notwithstanding, the bulk of Wim Wenders’s new documentary is devoted to interviews—both new and archival—with the current Pope who has, since his coronation in 2013, used the papacy to advance the cause of love, acceptance, and hope the world over. His outspoken beliefs have made him something of a hero to the modern progressive movement, and has shown the world a kinder, gentler form of Catholicism than we might have previously imagined.
Nothing much new is added, however. While Pope Francis is, indeed, a fascinating man and so any depth of exploration into his life will, tangentially, be fascinating, at times it feels as though Wenders is unsure of what to do with his film and the information it provides. It’s a frustrating experience because there’s no denying that Pope Francis has an important message, yet it’s too often packaged poorly.
The film meanders through its footage, serving as a sort of highlight reel of the Pope’s philosophies and taking us through a sampling of his speeches and writings, most of which are already well enough known as is. No real narrative is ever developed, save for the awkward parallels between Pope Francis and his namesake, and too often the film seems to spin its wheels in an attempt to gain traction.
That said, A Man of His Word does provide a great repository of his messages, and there’s no denying that what Pope Francis has to say is particularly important in this era of humanity. Even as the film ambles, there’s a sense of awe one almost necessarily feels watching and hearing this spoke speak on the plight of the impoverished, the forgotten, the meek, and the powerless. Seeing it strung together as it is serves as a powerful and poignant reminder—even for the cynical such as myself—that religious can still be used as a force of good, and that there are still religious leaders devoted to the message of Christ for aims other than personal.
As flawed as the work might be as a film, especially compared to Wenders’s documentary masterpiece Buena Vista Social Club, Pope Francis: A Man of His Word does stand as a powerful testament to a pope whose papacy transcends its religion and has the ability to touch the hearts and minds of all people. It would have been nice to see a more full and complete exploration of the man behind the papacy, but as it is it’s still a powerful compilation of his most meaningful and affecting words of wisdom.
Pope Francis: A Man of His Word is now playing in select theaters.
