The Two Popes (2019)- BFI London Film Festival 2019

Review

125min

Genre:     Fact-based, Drama

Director:  Fernando Meirelles

Cast:       Jonathan Pryce, Anthony Hopkins, Juan Minujín…and more

Writer:    Anthony McCarten

-Synopsis-

At the start of the new century, the dogmatic conservative Pope Benedict XVI clashes with Argentinean liberal reformist cardinal Jorge Bergoglio and future Pope Francis, tussling over the direction of the Catholic church as they engage in personal debate over opposing ideologies, but come together to guide the church into the 21st century—in this papal two-hander and dramatised look behind the extravagant curtains of the Vatican from the director of ‘City of God’.

Whether in Hollywood, indie or international film, the Papacy has never really been a rich source when it comes to reflective character dramas, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a sympathetic or hopeful view of the Catholic church on the big screen in recent years—understandably so—which might explain their reticence when it comes to being a collaborative partner. Enter Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles (City of God, The Constant Gardener) to change that—joining forces with screenwriter and biographer Anthony McCarten (The Theory of Everything, Bohemian Rhapsody) and partnering with Netflix to shine a poignant, yet whimsical and flattering human light on the men under the immaculate white cassocks.

Jonathan Pryce stars as Argentinean cardinal and Buenos Aires bishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a humble reformist narrowly beaten by Austrian dogmatic traditionalist cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Anthony Hopkins) as the successor to Pope John Paul II, who returns to being the man of the people in his own inimitable way. But when international scandals rock the church and Pope Benedict XVI’s rule comes under fire, Bergoglio is pulled back into the heart of papal politics, as a series of meetings with the pontiff reveals the gulf between contrasting ideologies but also a deep common humanity—as the Argentine plunges back into his troubled past as young Jesuit priest Bergoglio (Juan Minujín), while looking towards a new future for the Catholic church as Pope Francis.

Beautifully shot by regular Meirelles collaborator César Charlone in Rome and taking place in Palatial papal residences and the lofty hallowed halls of the Vatican, as well as the streets of Buenos Aires, ‘The Two Popes’ partially unfolds as a period piece in flashback but primarily as a contemporary two-hander between two legendary British screen veterans bringing two global icons to life on the big screen. As such this is a game of dialogues and conversations, which may not sound particularly charged and exciting, but McCarten injects so much unexpected charm, humour and human idiosyncrasy into this odd couple tale that it makes for an often delightful clash of styles and personalities.

The story itself though is a serious and poignant one, engaging in existential musings about the very nature of the Catholic church and its place in 21st century society, all through the prism of a clash of ideologies—a traditionalist dogmatic view which wants to encase the religion in armour against the changing world around it, versus the reformist stance which wants to mould the institution around its evolving congregation, while adding more believers and returning to a few simple core principles. And whether by design or not, by setting much of the movie in opulent locations we are reminded of how the supposed house of god on Earth and its representatives are so out of touch, and how Bergoglio’s humble minimalist nature seeks to take us back the teachings of Christ.

Yet when it comes to the issue which defined the headlines and the conversation surrounding the church over the last decade or so, the global child abuse scandals, ‘The Two Popes’ deliberately drops the ball, determined not to linger on the issue and effectively paying paltry lip service, arguably even glossing over it, no doubt to the approval of the Vatican—all of which ironically reflects Pope Benedict XVI’s attitude towards the whole sordid issue.

When it come to the film’s casting though, Meirelles’ wisdom cannot be questioned. We’d like to think that the seeds for this film, or at least Jonathan Pryce’s role in it, were sown by the veteran actor’s turn as the ‘High Sparrow’ in ‘Game of Thrones’, and the subsequent social media frenzy surrounding his resemblance to the current pope . . . of which we played a small part in fuelling. But resemblances and reality aside, Pryce is simply perfect for the role, and if the goal was to bring an abundance of humanity to the figure and the lofty position he holds . . . then mission accomplished.

In his second outing as a powerful historical Argentinean, the first being as president Juan Perón in 1996’s ‘Evita’, Pryce captures the jovial and unassuming essence of the football-loving, multi-lingual Bergoglio—with help from skilful dubbing and some convincing lip-synching—while in flashback as his younger self, Argentine actor Juan Minujín shines some light on the young Jesuit priest’s dark and somewhat controversial past under Argentina’s military dictatorship.

Meanwhile as his foil and opposite side of the papal coin, Sir Anthony Hopkins injects some much-needed humanity into the image of older conservative traditionalist Joseph Ratzinger—a man once dubbed “God’s Rottweiler”—not only bringing unexpected humour to the figure but providing a perspective to the ideology and nature of his relatively short-lived tenure.

‘The Two Popes’ ultimately falls well short of being a hard-hitting and truly affecting drama, only delving skin deep into the politics of the church and belief, instead opting for a largely flattering personal character narrative which blends biographical drama with hypothetical dialogues, while playing like a chamber piece despite all the opulent locations—and one which could have become tedious were it not for the abundant charm on show. And it’s that very charm, humour and banter which combines into a palpable humanity—delivered by two screen and stage masters—which makes the film compelling and delightful . . . in spite of the subject matter.

The Bottom Line…

A compelling and surprisingly charming odd couple papal two-hander, ‘The Two Popes’ shines a rare flattering light on the pontiff and peeks under the robes of power, while providing a glancing look at the politics and failures of the Catholic church—but most importantly paints a hopeful cinematic portrait on the fascinating figure now charged with guiding the ancient and guarded institution into the 21st century.

‘The Two Popes’ is out on the 29th of November in selected UK cinemas, and on Netflix on the 20th of December.

Similar films you may like (Home Video)

First Reformed (2018)

Dealing with his own personal tragedy, existential concerns and the demons of his flock, a small town New York priest struggles with a crisis of conscience in a world he no longer understands, in this tense contemporary drama from the writer of ‘Taxi Driver’ and ‘Raging Bull’.

Directed by Paul Schrader and starring Ethan Hawke, Amanda Seyfried and Cedric the Entertainer among others.

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