Review: The Two Popes

Image courtesy of Netflix.

Fernando Meiralles's "The Two Popes" is the Pope Francis origin story you never knew you needed. Depicting one of the most pivotal moments in the Catholic Church's history, the picture is an impressive character piece featuring two examples of exemplary acting - Jonathan Pryce as Pope Francis and Anthony Hopkins as Pope Benedict, previously known as Cardinal Ratzinger.

The film opens with the death of Pope John Paul II, a consequential but extremely conservative pope who often waded into what could best be described in the United States as "culture wars." Ratzinger, a German cardinal who wanted to take over as the church's leader, seems to be an obvious choice to follow John Paul II. He's also very conservative and is dedicated to the church's dogma.

Benedict is chosen as the next pope, but only after several votes, during which Cardinal Bergoglio (Pope Francis) draws a surprising number of votes. When Pope Francis comes to visit Benedict at his Italian summer getaway home, he arrives with the intention of retiring. As he tells Benedict, who feels attacked by his visitor, he no longer agrees with the church's mission. It has, he says, lost touch with an ever-changing world, and become more insular.

Bergoglio also feels uncomfortable with the manner in which the church has addressed its scandal involving pedophile priests. Once again, Benedict feels as if the criticism is a personal attack. But once the two men spend time together and get to know each other, Benedict will learn that Bergoglio has his own secrets and feels shame about an incident from his past in Argentina in the 1970s when a coup took over the government.

Meiralles's film takes a "My Dinner with Andre" approach to the material - although the two popes move freely about, rather than being stationed at a table. But the concept is built around the conversation between two men - in this case, two who wield great power. Their discussion focuses primarily on how to use that power - to protect the institution of the church or to reform it and take more compassionate views toward issues about which the church had previously been strict.

Hopkins is reliably great here, and his stature and sense of gravitas is put to great use. However, it's Pryce who has the meatier role, and he gives one of his best performances to date. Pope Francis has been lauded by many as a man of determination, but here he's also portrayed as a man who struggles - with his duty, his past and the role he should play in the church. "The Two Popes" is thoughtful, often funny and well acted - and also the best film from Meiralles, who burst onto the scene in 2003 with the incredible "City of God," in some time.