The Two Popes (2019) | agoodmovietowatch

Rated 7+ IMDb · 70%+ RT Little-known finds Curated by humans

The Two Popes ICYMI7.9 2019 Movie

The Two Popes

Dir. Fernando Meirelles · Italy, UK · English, French

An insightful peek into the papacy led by equally compelling performances

Netflix

Our take by Renee Cuisia

You wouldn’t expect two old men discussing God and politics to be deeply intriguing, but I suppose it’s different when you have Hopkins and Pryce leading the whole thing. Nothing overly dramatic happens between the two (those parts are saved for the flashbacks, which are just as compelling), but they manage to make every discussion, every point, and even every word feel heavy with the weight of their guilt and hope. These two are proof that good acting can be carried by the tiniest lilt in tone and shift in gesture. You don’t have to be a Catholic or be interested in God at all to appreciate the great performance and touching vulnerability at the heart of The Two Popes.

What happens

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.

What the critics said

Notable Critics

"Theological knots that refuse to untangle."

— Charles Bramesco

"The Two Popes may be a fantasy about a closed institution flinging its doors open, but it's also a compelling actor's showcase. The combination is surprisingly potent."

— Alison Willmore

More about it

What happens

When Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce) asks permission to resign, Pope Benedict XVI (Anthony Hopkins) asks him to reconsider as he shares his own feelings about the latest scandal to hit the Vatican.

What sets it apart

It’s always nice to see the humanity behind something as grand and as ornate as the papacy.

TL;DR

This movie almost made me religious again, it’s that good.

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About the author

Renee Cuisia

Renee Cuisia

Renee Cuisia is the lead curator at A Good Movie to Watch. In her spare time, she likes to watch K-dramas and analyze them to death. She's also seen You've Got Mail one too many times but is still convinced it's one of the greatest films out there.