Pope Joan (2009)

Pope Joan (2009)

Directed by: Sönke Wortmann

Starring: Johanna Wokalek, David Wenham, John Goodman

You know, I was really surprised at how much I liked this movie. I mean, it’s a feminist drama about the Catholic church during the dark ages… There isn’t a whole lot in there that would seem to be something I’d like. But hey, that’s why I watch any and every movie I come across, you never know!

In the middle ages, one girl learns how to read and studies the Bible and is tutored by a priest, even though it’s against doctrine. She attends a school for a while where she’s constantly discriminated against because of her gender. After an attack on the school by Norsemen, she decides to dress like a boy and joins a monastery. After becoming more learned and specializing in medicine, she’s eventually sent for by the Pope, to cure his illness. After she does so, he takes her on as his most trusted advisor, and when he’s killed due to political intrigue, she takes over the papacy. She, too, is killed, and it’s only at that point that they realize she’s a woman, so they omit her existence from all records.

Johanna Wokalek, who played the main character did a good job, even if her character was a little bland and message-ey. I mean, obviously there’s going to be a big “girl power” message to a movie about a lady pope, so you can’t be too surprised when that’s what ends up happening. Also of note are Faramir as Faramir, and John Goodman as the non-lady Pope, who is… well, he’s fucking John Goodman. I’d vote for him to be the Pope.