The Two Popes

Scott Hardie: “It ruled.”

I'm not Catholic or familiar with Catholic tradition, so I'm sure there's a lot of subtle meanings and references here that I missed. But it's not hard to enjoy what's front and center, the gradually warming relationship between these two men, embodied as they are by the immensely likable Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins. There's an interesting transition, as the film at first dwells on Benedict's corruption and close-mindedness while practically beatifying the near-perfect future Francis, but gradually it lightens the former and muddies the latter until they meet somewhere in the middle, as a pair of flawed but decent men who have come to understand and appreciate each other. Although it has a clear progressive slant, the movie's real message is that we should set aside our differences and work together for a better world, and that's an important message these days.This review contains spoilers. Reveal it.

− January 27, 2020 • more by Scott • log in or register to reply