Film
The Two Popes (12A)
Dir. Fernando Meirelles, UK/Italy/Argentina, 2019, 125 mins, partially subtitled (main language: English). Cast. Jonathan Pryce, Anthony Hopkins, Juan Minujin.
Travelling from the streets of Buenos Aires to the hallowed halls of the Vatican, Jorge Bergoglio has become disillusioned with the direction of the Catholic Church, even though he’s a contender for the top job. So when it’s Joseph Ratzinger who gets the gig, becoming Pope Benedict XVI, Bergoglio is relieved. However, the two men are brought together for a few days over one summer. The chemistry between Hopkins and Pryce, who relish the rich dialogue that crackles with humour, is palpable. Director Fernando Mereilles’ technical bravura depicts compassion, self-doubt, shame and pride as the intimate debate between these two powerful men progresses. And whatever your stakes in religion, Pryce and Hopkins are a joy to watch together on screen.
Travelling from the streets of Buenos Aires to the hallowed halls of the Vatican, Jorge Bergoglio has become disillusioned with the direction of the Catholic Church, even though he’s a contender for the top job. So when it’s Joseph Ratzinger who gets the gig, becoming Pope Benedict XVI, Bergoglio is relieved. However, the two men are brought together for a few days over one summer. The chemistry between Hopkins and Pryce, who relish the rich dialogue that crackles with humour, is palpable. Director Fernando Mereilles’ technical bravura depicts compassion, self-doubt, shame and pride as the intimate debate between these two powerful men progresses. And whatever your stakes in religion, Pryce and Hopkins are a joy to watch together on screen.
