Saving Grace

source: Saving Grace

What a breath of fresh air in our world... if only it could be thus..

This 1985 movie "Saving Grace" is out of print and hard to get, but you can find some used copies out there on VHS or LaserDisk. I bought this at a thrift store on LaserDisk. I am glad I did. This movie has the same premise as Roman Holiday. Except in this movie instead of a princess escaping to live life as a normal person, it is the Pope escaping the Vatican. The plot sounds like a wacky comedy, but I was surprised it was not a silly comedy. It had funny moments, but the movie has a down to earth real feel to it. The movie was filmed in Italy, and it shows a glimpse of every day life in Italy. I think what I enjoyed most about this film is that it captures the life of a small village in Italy. This movie is not preachy or religious. It is more about a person finding himself, and doing what is right. If you like finding hidden gems; search for this movie. It will be hard to find, but you'll feel it is worth it once you see it.

I have not seen this movie in over 15 years, I am sure. I saw this movie because I tried something a bit different one day. I had a hankering to watch something that I would really like, so I came into the video rental store one time and asked the attendant, "Can you recommend a movie that is really good that I would not even know about, one that might be a real sleeper?" (A sleeper is something that looks rather ho hum on the outside, but is great on the inside.) He gave me Saving Grace, and told me that I would not be disappointed. Man, he was ever right! What a wonderful film. I saw it only once, and ever since I have been wondering if I could buy it. (I have looked on e auction site without success...so far) I have yet to find this movie. BTW- I have since gone into video stores and asked the same kind of question in hopes of finding other movies that would be so well done, but have NEVER had another recommendation that matched SAVING GRACE. I believe that you will not be disappointed with Saving Grace as well, IF you find it.

I have not seen this movie in over 15 years, I am sure. I saw this movie because I tried something a bit different one day. I had a hankering to watch something that I would really like, so I came into the video rental store one time and asked the attendant, "Can you recommend a movie that is really good that I would not even know about, one that might be a real sleeper?" (A sleeper is something that looks rather ho hum on the outside, but is great on the inside.) He gave me Saving Grace, and told me that I would not be disappointed. Man, he was ever right! What a wonderful film. I saw it only once, and ever since I have been wondering if I could buy it. (I have looked on e auction site without success...so far) I have yet to find this movie. BTW- I have since gone into video stores and asked the same kind of question in hopes of finding other movies that would be so well done, but have NEVER had another recommendation that matched SAVING GRACE. I believe that you will not be disappointed with Saving Grace as well, IF you find it. (If you do, could you post it, please?)

When I watch this movie I marvel at its simplicity and its dual profundity. A beautiful story of goodness,temptation,loss of faith and regaining it,the ultimate triumph of the human spirit. This movie should be watched at least once a year like "A Christmas Carol for much the same reason.Tom Conti is the perfect choice as Pope. Everyone in the cast gives credence to their roles.I liked, NO I LOVED this movie!!!!!

This charming movie occupies a place of honor in my film library. Largely ignored, difficult to find, never transferred to DVD, this story touches and inspires. It's not a cinematographic masterpiece, nor is all of the acting stellar, but the imagery is pleasing and Tom Conti is superb. The story of a humble but isolated pope in the gilded cage of the Vatican, feeling more and more out of touch with the people he is supposed to be serving, and his extraordinary adventure with the poor villagers of Montepetra, this film brings tears to my eyes each time I watch it and lifts my heart with its message of simple humanity. Someone somewhere must make the effort to get this film onto DVD where it can be enjoyed by a wider audience.

Please keep in mind that I am a movie watcher, I don't care much for "the deeper meaning" behind it. I work hard, life is tough, I see all the pain and suffering in the day to day grind. I watch movies for the pleasure. OK? OK. I haven't seen this gem in many years. I rented it from the big "B" video rental store over and over again. If I had more of a criminal bent, I'd have made myself a copy, or even better "lose" it and pay them for it. It is a lovely movie with a happy ending. It evoked emotions, made me believe it. The characters were real and at the same time larger than life. The actors were all accomplished in their craft. The location was perfect. I'm not one to pay attention to how they made the movie unless it stinks, this one made me notice how VERY well it was done. This is probably my all time favorite. I tried to expose friends to it, but with little success. I choose to believe that I am right and the rest of the world is wrong in regards to this particular movie. If you ever get a chance, try this one.

A gentle and, to some extent, undemanding film, Saving Grace (1985) is well written and well acted. Tom Conti is perfectly cast as a human pope, approachable, not too pious and aware of temptation and yet he emanates goodness and calm. Essentially the film is about a learning curve that this pope must go through - in his determination to help a group of his poorer subjects he learns how they live, as well as finding out about himself. It will have you angry and in tears, but also smiling and happy, and it gives you that wonderful belief, reminiscent of childhood, that in the end all can be right with the world. It's that feeling of gentle pleasure and satisfaction that will make you want to see the film again and again.

Ebert liked it. Maltin hated it. Maltin's usually reliable, but not here. Tom Conti, Giancarlo Giannini, and Fernando Rey are all terrific here in improbable story about how depressed young pope gets accidentally locked out of the Vatican and has an adventure amongst Italian peasants in a remote village. This is admittedly a feel-good flick, but its message is nonetheless both strong and timeless. As an added plus: on-location cinematography is gorgeous.