The opening scene sets the tone and makes an unprepared viewer slightly hesitate to continue. A pyramid of infants' bodies and a nude Jude Law accentuate the show's purpose to examine the contradictions of the pope's personality. Identified as a "puppet" in the priests' secret conversations, Pope Lenny Belardo (Jude Law) establishes a more independent image for himself.
Within the first half of the episode, Lenny is introduced in conflicting bearings of his personality: the obvious propensity for exerting power to the hidden emotional fragility. The way Lenny speaks to his servants is substantial evidence of his ability to manipulate and humiliate. He never misses a chance to articulate his grit and determination with theatrical expressions, whether he's alone or in public. These traits are effectively delivered by Jude Law, who becomes the embodiment of contradiction for an hour of screen time. An observation of his routine is shot in a beautiful and carefully stylized way so that the viewers can see every detail of the interior and exterior of the church. These elements of the environment, almost impeccable in proportions and spacing, are contrasted with the dubious actions of the priests. The viewers encounter them discussing plans on how to better control the actions of the pope, while Pope Lenny Belardo is preparing himself for the upcoming homily. Nevertheless, he quickly finds himself in a comfortable position to ask Cardinal Secretary of State, Angelo Voiello (Silvio Orlando), to make him coffee. Later, the pope states his decision to make Sister Mary (Diane Keaton) his special assistant, in contradiction with the Cardinal's advice. As an American nun who raised Lenny in an orphanage, she secures a central place in the pope's heart. Diane Keaton is a compelling performer capable of contributing to an atmosphere of immensely important changes in the Vatican.
The viewers may start to count the rules defied by the youngest pope who wouldn't mind smoking in the papal place, because "there's a new pope now." Accompanied with the deep and strong music beats, the pope delivers the top priority needs to an almost-appalled cardinal, whose ruse intention to control the pope's major responsibilities are falling apart. The tension peaks, when the pope announces he wants Sister Mary to oversee the cardinal's activities, calling him "unscrupulous and ambiguous" man.
In contrast, Monsignor Bernardo Gutierrez, Master of Ceremonies of the Holy See (Javier Cámara), is shown as a man whom the pope chooses to trust and reveal his ability to obtain the hidden truth: "And everything that is hidden from me, sooner or later, is revealed. As if it were being entrusted to me," he says to Gutierrez, calling it his destiny. Later Lenny interrogates Don Tomasso (Marcello Romolo) about the priests' sins, making his own confession which turns out to be a frightening joke. The scene speaks for the pope's ability to obscure his real thoughts from the priests, which is definitely an advantage in communication with duplicitous people, but a controversial trait for someone who leads the church. The pope will obviously encounter intrigues which are already being prepared by the cardinal, who believes in the power of knowledge, particularly about the pope's past.
Paolo Sorrentino creates an appropriate scenery for the events, strengthening his cinematography with good pacing that matches the concept. Music by Lele Marchitelli follows the story and support the scenes of major importance with strong backgrounds. Delightful for eyes and ears, but challenging for mind and soul, this limited HBO series is spectacularly overwhelming with its unrestricted freedom and fresh look on the revolution in the policy of the Vatican. Jude Law is excellent at creating a complicated character whose personality has many conflicting sides, as he's terrifyingly despotic in one scene, and wise and charming in the next, wearing his glamorous white gown. While the pope himself is averse to tourists, "because they are just passing through," the show is capable of engaging viewers into the plot, making them more than the tourists in this tricky journey through the reign of the first American pope.
"The Young Pope" airs on HBO, Sundays and Mondays at 9 p.m.
Reach Staff Reporter Mariia Kovaleva here.
Annenberg Media