The Two Popes: Hopkins V. Pryce

In 2005, the death of John Paul II leads to German Cardinal Benedict XVI as his successor. Seven years later Benedict is under the strain of the increasingly controversial Church. He invites Jorge Bergoglio to the Vatican who is hoping for early retirement. The Two Popes has the energy of a buddy comedy as these two drastically different men meet and explore their personal differences and views on life to find common ground in the end.


There haven't been two living popes for hundreds of years and never a case of a pope choosing to retire. This makes Pope Benedict's decision a pivotal moment in history. The meeting between the two allows them to verbally spar and one-up each other in an amusing way that shows off their contrasting personalities and minds. The film is set up as a study of both these men played by Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce. The men a drastically different from German-born Benedict's conservatism and love of luxurious things with a disconnect from the modern world. In contrast, Pope Francis from Argentina is a down-to-earth man with a love of soccer and a more liberal view of the Catholic Church.


The film mostly focuses on the meeting but flashes back to Benedict becoming pope and a biography of Francis that provides a sense of character development. Francis arrives at the Vatican with confidence that his retirement will be granted but is flown to Benedict's summer palace to meet instead due to Benedict's pressing business matters.


The beautiful gardens of the Palace is a visually appeal setting for the match between the two men. The men one-up one another until it is determined that Francis has come out on top. The men end up bonding by both exploring their differences and common faith. The back-and-forth dialog between the two is entertaining and amusing.


Instead of diving into the scandals of the Catholic Church, the film briefing touches on the child abuse scandal and continues on with its storyline. The focus of the film is the contrasting personalities and the focus on whether the church is in touch with the modern world or stuck in a traditional, unchanging state.


The scenery of the Vatican adds enjoyment to the film. The scenes in the replica Sistine Chapel built for the movie is stunning and plays a major role in the pivotal moment between the two characters where they truly come to an understanding with one another and bond.


The Two Popes is amusing for audiences and allows for these two iconic actors to showcase their talents and brilliance. They are both at their best and delightful. The film offers a character study with a background of history and religion. The film works as a story of two men forming a friendship through their contrasting personalities but able to find common ground and share with one another their loves of soccer and piano.