The Two Popes
The Two Popes

Movie spotlight

The Two Popes

2019
Movie
125 min
English

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.

Insights

IMDb7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes90%
Metacritic75/100
Google Users92%
Director: Fernando MeirellesGenres: Biography, Drama, Comedy

Plot Summary

The film follows Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio as he considers retiring from his position as Archbishop of Buenos Aires and seeking an audience with Pope Benedict XVI. Their conversations, and the Pope's own deliberations, lead to a future that is unexpected for both the Catholic Church and the world. It explores themes of faith, doubt, and the human element within religious leadership.

Critical Reception

The Two Popes was widely acclaimed by critics, with particular praise directed at the performances of Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce, as well as the screenplay and direction. Audiences also responded positively to its insightful and character-driven narrative.

What Reviewers Say

  • Outstanding performances from the lead actors breathe life into the complex relationship between Pope Benedict and Cardinal Bergoglio.

  • The screenplay offers a thoughtful and often humorous exploration of faith, tradition, and the future of the Catholic Church.

  • Fernando Meirelles's direction provides a visually engaging and intimate look at two influential figures.

Google audience: Audiences lauded the film for its compelling performances, particularly from Hopkins and Pryce, and appreciated the nuanced portrayal of the diverging philosophies of the two church leaders. Many found the dialogue insightful and the film's exploration of faith and leadership to be thought-provoking.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for 3 Academy Awards (Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay), 4 BAFTA Awards, and 4 Golden Globe Awards. Jonathan Pryce received numerous acting nominations.

Fun Fact

The film was shot primarily in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Vatican City was recreated using sets and CGI, with some scenes filmed in Rome.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

This is quite a clever piece of work. Both performances demonstrate a complex, sometimes conflicted, humanity in a touching and thought-provoking way. Hopkins, as the scholarly Benedict XVI coming to realise that he no longer feels capable ...

Manuel São Bento

Manuel São Bento

Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce deliver two award-worthy performances, elevating a surprisingly humorous story about religion. Not a fan of the editing and the film goes on for a bit too long. Rating: B