Deciphering the new Padre Pio movie

My latest article, Deciphering the new Padre Pio Movie, is up at Catholic Stand.

A few things: one, I love Padre Pio. He was a force, and very much still is. And when I first heard a movie was being made about his life - or so it seemed to be advertised - I was excited. Not only that, but controversial actor Shia LaBeouf experienced a profound conversion experience while playing the role of Padre Pio, something he famously discussed in detail in an interview with Bishop Robert Barron. Given the saint’s reputation and following, and this news about the movie’s star, it seemed inevitable the movie would be a life-changer. Unfortunately, that is very much not the case, and instead the movie is a typical Hollywood re-tell relying on shock for effect.

The movie is about two things: one, Padre Pio arriving at San Giovanni Rotundo and beginning his life there after WW1, and the political situation happening in the town. Most of the movie is taken up with scenes of villagers fighting each other about whether or not to join the socialist party. It is not very interesting, and made worse by intentionally shaky and hard-to-follow camera work. The movie is about 85% this uninteresting political situation, and 15% Padre Pio struggling with his faith. It is never made clear why these two things are juxtaposed.

When we do see Pio, he is in a variety of truly disturbing scenes including wrestling with Satan, being tempted by Satan, apparently being tricked into giving confession to Satan, and overall, experiencing doubt. Yikes!

Ultimately, as I state in my article, the only way this movie makes any sense is to see Pio’s struggle as Shia’s as he came out of rehab and various personal scandals. Padre Pio crying naked on the floor (yes, that happens in the movie) = Shia’s shame and agony at his own personal, real-life journey. Okay. But I don’t really want to see a movie about that, I want to see a movie about Padre Pio’s life.

For the article I interviewed Shia, director Abel Ferrera, and Br. Alexander Rodriguez, who advised, was a part of Shia’s formation, and has a small part in the movie. I do wonder how the Capuchin community in CA where Shia evidently became Catholic feels about the movie, given both its great departure from anything that would be considered respectful or truthful about Pio’s life, but more importantly, its moments of outright blasphemy. Also, apparently he was able to receive communion while there, despite not being received into the Church. What?

I don’t doubt Shia’s conversion, or his personal relationship with either Jesus or Padre Pio. I do find it odd that the movie turned out the way it did, though. And basically, now I want a truthful and respectful telling of him - not just the bad and ugly, the struggles and doubts - but the triumphs, too. The impact he had, the reason his following is so strong. What about the miracles? The reading of souls? The hospital he built? Dare I say, the bilocating? This movie doesn’t do it. And it only makes sense in the context of “Shia suffered coming out of sobriety and his scandals just like Padre Pio fought the devil,” but, well, who wants to see a movie about that?

Just pray for Shia, Abel, Br. Alex, and all involved in the movie. Not because they’re “wrong,” but because we all need prayers. No person, thing, or situation, is beyond God’s reach, and I am sure he can and will work through this movie, despite what it is. But goodness, what a lost opportunity to tell an incredible story.