Watch Pope Dreams

Pope Dreams is a heartwarming and thought-provoking drama film that was released in 2006. Written and directed by J. R. Hughto, the movie tells the story of a young Catholic boy named Andy (Phillip Vaden) who dreams of becoming Pope someday. However, his dream is constantly at odds with his family's strict Protestant beliefs. Andy's family lives in a small town in North Carolina, where everyone knows each other's business. His father (Stephen Tobolowsky) is a strict Protestant and a factory worker, while his mother (Julie Hagerty) is a housewife who is constantly worried about her son's spiritual wellbeing. Andy has a sister named Katie (Marnette Patterson) who is rebellious and outspoken, but secretly supportive of her brother's aspirations.

The movie begins with Andy on the verge of being confirmed in the Catholic Church. He sees a vision of himself as Pope in the church, but when he shares his vision with his family, he is met with ridicule and disbelief. His father warns him that his vision is the work of the devil and tries to force him to abandon his dream. However, Andy is determined to follow his heart and attends Catholic Mass in secret.

Along the way, Andy encounters a number of challenges and obstacles but remains resilient in his pursuit of his dream. He befriends a Catholic priest, Father O'Connell, who becomes a mentor and confidant to Andy. He also begins a secret correspondence with the current Pope, who counsels him on matters of faith and spirituality.

As Andy's dream becomes more and more real to him, he must grapple with the fact that his family will never fully approve of his aspirations. His relationship with his father becomes strained, and he starts to feel like an outsider in his own home. Meanwhile, Katie becomes more supportive of Andy and tries to help him in any way she can.

The climax of the movie takes place on the day of Andy's confirmation. His family attends the ceremony, but tensions are high as they anticipate Andy's rejection of their Protestant faith. However, when Andy takes the stage, he delivers a stirring speech about the similarities between Catholics and Protestants and calls for unity between the two religions. His family is moved by his words and finally begins to understand the depth of his faith.

Overall, Pope Dreams is a touching and inspiring movie that explores themes of family, faith, and perseverance. The film is well-acted, with standout performances by Phillip Vaden as Andy and Julie Hagerty as his mother. The cinematography is also noteworthy, with gorgeous shots of the North Carolina countryside.

In the end, the movie reminds us that chasing our dreams is never easy, but that with determination and the support of those we love, anything is possible. Whether you share Andy's religious convictions or not, his story is one that will resonate with anyone who has ever dared to follow their heart.

Pope Dreams is a 2006 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.