The Two Popes is a funny and delicate look at faith and progression
ANTHONY HOPKINS and Jonathan Pryce bounce off each other with divine glee in this inspired fictionalised version of the relationship between Popes Francis I and Benedict XVI during the most turbulent period the Vatican has seen.
What starts as a historical scribe of the unusual sequence of events that led the Vatican to have two living popes, gently subsides into an affectionate, humourous and delicate look at faith, forgiveness and progression.
Hopkins is Benedict, the weathered and stubborn pontiff, accused of turning a blind eye to years of systematic abuse and fraud within the church.
Pryce’s more liberal Argentinian Francis is a reluctant ruler, with his compromises with the right-wing junta regime brought to attention.
The pair are fantastic together, sparring psalms and trading octogenarian blows.
Benedict’s decision to resign from his post and refuse Francis’ resignation becomes the crux of the plot.
It is almost certainly cuddlier than real life but the gentler exchanges distract from more distasteful parts of the story, which are at best glossed over and at worst ignored.
It is beautifully shot, with memorable pizza-chomping scenes inside the Sistine Chapel, framing two great performances.
THE TWO POPES (12a) 126mins
★★★★
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