
The Good Catholic
2017

Representation Score
Fair
2011
Not RatedDirector
Nanni Moretti
Runtime
105 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetNew Showbiz Analysis
Nanni Moretti’s film is a subversive deconstruction of religious authority that prioritizes human vulnerability over institutional infallibility. It succeeds by framing the Papacy through a lens of psychological complexity and secular realism. However, the film remains deeply traditional in its demographic makeup. The heavy reliance on a patriarchal, Eurocentric hierarchy limits its reach regarding gender and racial diversity. Ultimately, the work is a study of the friction between individual identity and systemic pressure. It trades demographic breadth for a profound, postmodern critique of Western power structures.
Category Breakdown
The film operates within a strictly straight-centered framework. While it lacks explicit LGBTQ identities, the protagonist's struggle suggests a subtextual exploration of suppressing one's true self against rigid institutional dogma.
The narrative is heavily centered on a patriarchal hierarchy. Female characters are largely absent from the central plot, reinforcing a male-dominated space where spiritual authority is an exclusively masculine concern.
The cast is relatively homogeneous, focusing on a European ecclesiastical structure. While avoiding harmful stereotypes, the film offers limited racial blending or casting actors from diverse backgrounds within its Western setting.
The film excels by portraying the Papacy as a source of psychological distress rather than a divine monolith. It introduces secularist perspectives by utilizing an atheist therapist to challenge religious dogma.
The story provides a nuanced portrayal of mental health through the Pope's panic attacks. It treats his psychological fragility with depth rather than using his anxiety as a mere plot device.
Present on Screen
Limited or Absent
Official Synopsis
The newly elected Pope suffers a panic attack just as he is about to greet the faithful who have gathered to see him. His advisors, unable to convince him he is the right man for the job, call on a renowned therapist who also happens to be an atheist. But the Pope's fear of his newfound responsibility is one he must face alone. Winner Best Film at the Italian Golden Globes.

2017

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