37
Metascore
4 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 50San Francisco ChronicleG. Allen JohnsonSan Francisco ChronicleG. Allen JohnsonSo while director Evgeny Afineevsky practically makes the case for Francis’ sainthood — immersing the viewer in a nonstop barrage of swelling violins and inspirational music, featuring interview after interview of people who have been touched personally by the pope — his bloated two-hour film leaves many unanswered questions.
- 40Los Angeles TimesCarlos AguilarLos Angeles TimesCarlos AguilarAfineevsky’s by-the-numbers, for-hire production feels unnecessary. Even if one can’t argue with its distilled message of loving thy neighbor, Francesco just serves to remind us of all the horrors unfolding simultaneously.
- 40The New York TimesBen KenigsbergThe New York TimesBen KenigsbergJudged strictly as a movie, Francesco comes across as shapeless and secondhand — a missed opportunity to present a closer look at the daily work of being pope and perhaps to demystify elements of the papacy.
- 40The GuardianPeter BradshawThe GuardianPeter BradshawThis is another well-intentioned but syrupy and pointless hagiography.