MovieChat Forums > Habemus Papam (2011) Discussion > Prison Dodgeball

Prison Dodgeball

posted 12 years ago by mideleon
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Like so many other elements in this disappointing film, even the reference to prison dodgeball was a missed opportunity. Perhaps showing cardinals getting hit with a dodgeball and then being sent to the prison area behind the opposing team would have been a little too "on the nose," metaphorically speaking, but it undoubtedly would have been far more interesting than the unfunny and boring volleyball sequence. I mean, what was that all about? Even the psychiatrist looked bored (and he was the director of the film!). But what I would have preferred altogether is less wasted time on the cutesy, irrelevant moments.

In another thread, someone suggested that the film should have shown the athiest psychiatrist in more dialogue and debate with the cardinals, and I absolutely agree with that. In fact, the symmetry of the ex-husband with the cardinals and the ex-wife with the pope, both in ongoing conversations and situations rather than the theater and volleyball business, would have been far more compelling and would have made the characters more dimensional.

SPOILERS AHEAD

And what was with the theater scene? The cardinals are shown agreeing to what is implied as some big scheme. But all it turns out to be is just going to the theater to get the Pope. THAT'S IT?? That's your big plan? Just go to the theater and drag him back? Brilliant! Way to go, guys.

But at least the production details were spot on. The film looked great. And the actors were all fine. All the elements for a great movie, except the movie itself.

Lastly, I heard a good alternate title for the film:
"The Cardinals Have A New Manager"

Anyone else have a good alternate title?

[–] IMDB_Vits 12 years ago

I mean, what was that all about?

He didn't know that the Pope had escaped, but he knew something had to be wrong for him not to leave his room. He wanted to keep the cardinals busy and entertained. That's also why he played cards with them.

It's actually quite common. My grandma (a psychologist) went rock-climbing with a patient once.

In another thread, someone suggested that the film should have shown the athiest psychiatrist in more dialogue and debate with the cardinals, and I absolutely agree with that. In fact, the symmetry of the ex-husband with the cardinals and the ex-wife with the pope, both in ongoing conversations and situations rather than the theater and volleyball business, would have been far more compelling and would have made the characters more dimensional.

I kept waiting for more clashes between cultures and principles. Not necessarilly debates. Something like a dinner where the psychoanalist starts eating before the cardinals pray... or something.

And what was with the theater scene? The cardinals are shown agreeing to what is implied as some big scheme. But all it turns out to be is just going to the theater to get the Pope. THAT'S IT?? That's your big plan? Just go to the theater and drag him back? Brilliant! Way to go, guys.

It's not that it was a big plan. They all just had to agree with that. It was filmed that way so that it could be more dramatic to us the audience, because we knew that he wouldn't want them to go after him.

Lastly, I heard a good alternate title for the film:
"The Cardinals Have A New Manager"

Well, it's not as catchy.