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.
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.
Storyline
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.
TLDR
This movie almost made me religious again, it’s that good.
What stands out
It’s always nice to see the humanity behind something as grand and as ornate as the papacy.
