The movie revolves around the spirit and the letter of the poverty and fraternity rules of the Franciscans Order, and the confrontation of two visions around this question, the vision of Saint Francis and the one embodied by Elias of Cortona. It properly shows that the controversy about how to follow the Gospel life of poverty, which would plague the Franciscans Order for several hundred of years, began even before the death of Saint Francis. And it properly shows the reaction of Saint Francis up to his death.
I would say that Saint Francis is the best figure of the movie, and Elias of Cortona is the weakest part of the script, the controversy itself being, actually, the main figure.
In fact, to fully appreciate it, one has to understand that this movie is not about Saint Francis but about something that could have happen in his vicinity, the same way Ben Hur is not about Jésus but about something that could have happen in his vicinity. Saint Francis is a pretext to a spiritual journey more than a subject.
Since there is no contemporary life of Elias, the movie remains an interesting and free (as in intellectual freedom) attempt at embodying two spiritual options, even if the writer may have taken a bit too much liberties in brushing Elias. Down from 8 stars to 7 because of that.
I would say that Saint Francis is the best figure of the movie, and Elias of Cortona is the weakest part of the script, the controversy itself being, actually, the main figure.
In fact, to fully appreciate it, one has to understand that this movie is not about Saint Francis but about something that could have happen in his vicinity, the same way Ben Hur is not about Jésus but about something that could have happen in his vicinity. Saint Francis is a pretext to a spiritual journey more than a subject.
Since there is no contemporary life of Elias, the movie remains an interesting and free (as in intellectual freedom) attempt at embodying two spiritual options, even if the writer may have taken a bit too much liberties in brushing Elias. Down from 8 stars to 7 because of that.