“The Two Popes” explores the relationship between Pope Benedict XVI and then-Cardinal Bergoglio (now Pope Francis). The first encounter between the two men takes place in a perfectly manicured garden at the pope’s summer residence—a sharp contrast with the rollicking streets of Argentina we’ve just seen. There is no doubt that Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce give such moving performances in The Two Popes. Perspective is at the heart of the film, and the idea that Ratzinger and Bergoglio could learn the same materials from the same type of teachers and in the same way, but come out with two completely different takes is really thought-provoking material. press. Hopkins and Pryce both deliver fantastic performances and the writing is able to strike a nice balance between comical and serious. All the clichés concerning the differences between the two popes come tumbling out. Benedict lives in regal isolation. Directed by Fernando Meirelles. There are many 2019 films that Netflix are hoping will help them further make an impact on the Academy Awards. There were moments in the film when I thought I was … Not a lot else happens. The Two Popes is available now streaming on Netflix after a brief theatrical run. The scenes involving how Popes are selected offered insight into the politics of the process and the editing kept those moments from becoming dull. Communicator Anthony McCarten. Published Dec 27, 2019 in Film, Pop Culture, Pope Francis ~ Approx 4 mins . The Two Popes ends on a buddy-comedy note, with Francis and Benedict XVI eating pizza as they watch the World Cup, as the former has tried to … Full review . It is the continuity of their teaching and vision – which scarcely receives the consideration that it deserves in actuality, either – that is more striking and significant. “The Two Popes” is really three movies: a behind-the-scenes tale of Vatican politics, a mini-biopic about the current pontiff, and a two-man study of friendship, rivalry and major British acting. Netflix’s The Two Popes movie imagines a series of meetings between the previous and current Pope, but in doing so, The Two Popes true story can be skewed. Full review. The Two Popes is an atypical film, an interesting exercise walking between the biopic, drama and social, political and religious criticism with a slight touch of humor. Review: The Two Popes. And of course this is a setup. Explores the relationship and opposing visions between two of the most powerful leaders in the Catholic Church, both of whom must address their own pasts and the demands of the modern world in order to move the church forward. The delicate dance between the two veteran actors, both eagerly devouring a late-life jewel of a script, is a joy to behold. Screen Daily. The Council finally excommunicated Benedict XIII (Avignon) and elected a new pope. The Two Popes Published on 04 Dec 2019 A nice touch at the end of the credits hints that this new film, directed by Fernando Meirelles and written by Anthony McCarten, and which begins with the story of il poverello, is rather more committed to the Catholic faith, and specifically to a Franciscan take on it, than one might have thought possible from the Vatican-blockbuster genre. The remarkable true story of the odd couple in the Vatican - the two living Popes. Nor is the film’s focus on the polar oppositions between the two Popes particularly insightful. The release of “The Two Popes” on Nov. 27 brought renewed attention to the papacy of Benedict XVI (played by Anthony Hopkins) and the 2013 election of Pope Francis (played by … Warning: This article contains spoilers. Me, and a lot of other Welsh actors, thought: 'Yes! IndieWire. Starring Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce, The Two Popes follows Jorge Bergoglio’s transition from Cardinal to Pope Francis and his succession of Pope Benedict XVI, … The Two Popes Frustrated with the direction of the church, Cardinal Bergoglio requests permission to retire in 2012 from Pope Benedict. The Council of Constance called on all three papal claimants to abdicate, but only Gregory XII (Roman) and John XXIII (Pisan) abdicated. They are played by two actors who really look rather like them. With Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce, Juan Minujín, Luis Gnecco. Two Welsh Popes at last!" The Two Popes imagines an intriguing fly-on-the-wall-of-history scenario in which the two living popes debate theology and leadership. The Two Popes doesn’t seem to have an agenda to shape the present, but does gesture to a break in outlook of the papacy between Benedict XVI, whose papacy ended … Its slightly over two hour runtime flies by without lagging. But ultimately I don’t think we need to worry. Discussion; Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI watch a soccer game together. To that extent, it really works. "There was a time when he announced that he was going to retire, when he was about 60. He is stern, even censorious. The Two Popes is an exuberant Vatican-set buddy movie that attempts to lift the lid on the inner workings of the Holy See. Two-year period without a valid pope elected. (Director Meirelles apparently first saw Jonathan Pryce in a meme pointing out how much he looks like Pope Francis.) Review by Sasanka Tharindu ★★★★ A acting battle between hopking and pryce Review by rina ! The Two Popes (2019) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. I wondered what the RCC's future holds. Bergoglio is trying to submit his resignation,… Review by timmytimchala ★★ Old men with a splash of a Italian. said Pryce. The Two Popes provides a creative dialogue about God, faith and moral responsibility. One of the most engaging films of last year was The Two Popes.In this portrait of an imagined bromance between Pope Francis and his predecessor, … The Two Popes review – Hopkins and Pryce make one holy alliance 3 / 5 stars 3 out of 5 stars. It features two Popes; no more, no fewer. Watching "The Two Popes", I thought about how John Paul II was the first pope to condemn the Catholic Church's anti-Jewish policies, Benedict XVI was more reactionary, while Francis has been trying to make it more progressive. In 2013 the unthinkable happened: a pope resigned, and another became head of the Vatican. Behind Vatican walls, the conservative Pope Benedict XVI and the liberal future Pope Francis must find common ground to forge a new path for the Catholic Church. Seven years after Pope Benedict XVI filled the Vatican power vacuum after the death of the revered John Paul II, the leader is bracing leaked documents and the staining shame of the boiled-over sex abuse scandals that rocked the Catholic Church earlier this decade. Even for a famous British character actor, Anthony Hopkins has played a wide range of historical figures, from Pablo Picasso to Richard Nixon. press. 5.0. Reasons for caution, yes. The Two Popes is a fine biopic that is well written and well acted. The Two Popes does (/do) exactly what it says on the tin. The two of them talk. NEW YORK (CNS) — In “The Two Popes” (Netflix), their glossy but highly speculative account of supposedly real events, screenwriter Anthony McCarten and director Fernando Meirelles ill-advisedly try to extol Pope Francis (Jonathan Pryce) by […] If you have seen the Oscar-nominated movie The Two Popes, you will know it ends with Francis and his predecessor, Benedict, cheering on their teams, as … The Two Popes spends almost its entire runtime desperately trying to convince the viewer that Pope Francis is the coolest, most humble and open … Instead, facing scandal and self-doubt, the introspective Pope Benedict summons his harshest critic and future successor to Rome to r. Genres: Drama, Comedy, History : Full production credits: Expand. Still, as two-handers go, “The Two Popes” is a great one. THE TWO POPES ★½ (M) 126 minutes. The unthinkable happened: a Pope resigned, and a lot of other Welsh actors, thought:!! 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