THE TWO POPES – “An agreeable ‘buddy Pope’ tale”

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RATING

DIRECTOR

Fernando Meirelles (Blindness – 2008)

STARRING

  • Anthony Hopkins as Pope Benedict XVI
  • Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the future Pope Francis
  • Juan Minujín as Young Jorge Mario Bergoglio
  • Sidney Cole as Cardinal Peter Turkson
  • Lisandro Fiks as Father Franz Jalics
  • Thomas D. Williams as the American journalist

SYNOPSIS

Frustrated with the direction of the church, Cardinal Bergoglio requests permission to retire in 2012 from Pope Benedict. Instead, facing scandal and self-doubt, the introspective Pope Benedict summons his harshest critic and future successor to Rome to reveal a secret that would shake the foundations of the Catholic Church. Behind Vatican walls, a struggle commences between both tradition and progress, guilt and forgiveness, as these two very different men confront their pasts in order to find common ground and forge a future for a billion followers around the world.

REVIEW SUMMARY

Netflix's The Two Popes ultimately makes for an agreeable "buddy Pope" tale. That is to say that our 2 leads, Hopkins and Pryce, are not only outstanding in their respective roles, but have impeccable chemistry with one another. However, your overall enjoyment of this true-to-life story will largely depend on your interest in "Pope things," as the uninitiated might be less enthralled with the religious tit for tat as those looking for insight in the Catholic doctrine. The lively visuals help alleviate the dryness of it all though, as do the slivers of humour thrown in. The film is also one of impressive production design, with everything from the Sistine Chapel and Vatican chambers exuding beauty. No doubt some visual effects were added in, but the integration is spot on regardless. So here's the thing - if you want to experience an important meeting of the minds that changes the face of modern organized religion, well, go on and "get your Pope on." If not, then it's probably gonna be a nope to these Popes. Your call.

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