REVIEW: ‘The Two Popes’
Image: Courtesy of Netflix / Provided by press site with permission.
The Two Popes, a Netflix movie written by Anthony McCarten and directed by Fernando Meirelles, is a thoughtful story about two conversationalists willing to challenge and affirm their faith. Anthony Hopkins plays Pope Benedict XVI, who decides to step down from the papacy, clearing the way for Pope Francis, played by Jonathan Pryce. Before they make these historic changes, the two meet for a couple days of debating, pizza-eating and camaraderie.
In many ways, Hopkins’ Benedict represents one side of the Roman Catholic Church in the 21st century, and Pryce’s Francis represents the other side. There certainly are more than two approaches to one’s Catholicism and the differing interpretations of the teachings of Jesus Christ, but by showcasing two prominent figures with seemingly different means of coming at their savior, this two-hander model suffices.
Benedict, as portrayed in The Two Popes, is more conservative and dogmatic, someone who does not believe the church should make change for the sake of making change. In his mind, a society’s whims are not cause for a 2,000-year-old institution to suddenly modify its belief system.
Francis, who in this film is actually Bishop Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio because he hasn’t ascended to the Holy See yet, is more compassionate and embracing of change. He focuses his ministry on the poor and disadvantaged, even if that runs counter to how the Vatican and its officials have lived their history.
At first, when Benedict summons Bergoglio to the pope’s summer residence, the two start off by verbally sparring. Their differences are laid bare, and the gulf between these two men — representing these two sides of the same church — seems almost too wide to bridge. Yet, they don’t give up. Over the course of several days, they keep talking, keep debating, keep learning about each other. Eventually they find many more similarities than differences, and they chart a path forward, with Benedict deciding to retire (although not unprecedented, certainly rare for a pope), and Bergoglio heading back into the Sistine Chapel for the vote of the cardinals to select a new pontiff. Spoiler alert: He wins.
Too often religious films are of one ilk or another. They either are faith-based entertainment that embodies the teachings of a religion or scripture, or they are critical commentaries of a religion’s viewpoints and actions that can seem anathema to life in the new century. There’s perhaps a place for both types of cinema, but The Two Popes is different. This movie places itself in the world of historical fiction: envisioning the current papacy, the current tribulations of the church and in particular the early rise and personal misgivings of Bergoglio. Within these historical events, there are these endlessly interesting conversations, all improvised and yet feeling authentic.
The backstory of Bergoglio receives more airtime than Benedict’s past (he was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger prior to his 2005 papal election). This is probably a smart move because it streamlines the narrative and focuses on the current pontiff. The audience comes to learn of Bergoglio’s upbringing through the seminary and his work in Argentina, including a harrowing and ultimately devastating affair involving the violence that tore through his country while he was a young priest.
Both men use these conversations almost like acts of contrition. They not only stand for their personal interpretation of Catholicism, but they also let their soul bare, giving anecdotes and feelings about their failings, whether real or perceived. The issue of how the church has responded to child sexual abuse is mentioned only in passing.
This is not to say that The Two Popes is a purely heavy (or heady) film. There are many light moments, especially when the two men begin to let down their guard. Benedict plays the piano for his new friend; they both enjoy some pizza together, and they meet the faithful in an off-the-cuff encounter in the Sistine Chapel. They even have a spirited debate about soccer.
The Two Popes is an adult film — not in the sense of its content being R-rated, but in the sense that it deals with important adult issues, told organically through two real people yearning to find their place in the world and uncertain how to properly shepherd their flock. It’s a fascinating tale.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
The Two Popes (2019). Written by Anthony McCarten and directed by Fernando Meirelles. Starring Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins. Running time: 2 hours, 5 minutes. Now streaming on Netflix. Rated PG-13 for thematic content and some disturbing violent images. Rating: 
