Review: ‘The Two Popes’ engages with a tale of pontiffs and pizza, not preachiness
Whether washing down pizza with Fanta or arguing about the direction of the Catholic Church, the holy odd couple of Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce in “The Two Popes†is an enjoyable revelation.
An engaging historical fiction that balances a serious side and a strong sense of humor, “Two Popes†(★★★½ out of four; rated PG-13; in theaters Wednesday in New York and Los Angeles, expanding through December, and streaming Dec. 20 on Netflix) imagines a series of deep conversations between religious rivals and later friends. Pope Benedict (Hopkins), aka Joseph Ratzinger, has conservative leanings, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio (Pryce), the future Pope Francis, is a liberal seeking church reform, and their debate tells a tale of human understanding and fallibility.
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After the death of Pope John Paul II, a papal conclave in Rome convenes to choose a new leader of a church caught between tradition and progressivism. A German cardinal, Ratzinger is thought of as a natural successor and ultimately is picked, though Bergoglio receives a surprising amount of support. The introverted Ratzinger isn’t a fan of the popular Argentinian: When they run into each other in the bathroom, Bergoglio whistles ABBA’s “Dancing Queen†and Ratzinger dismissively asks, “What hymn is that?â€
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Seven years later, as the church’s conservatism has alienated Catholics and leaked documents regarding corruption have surfaced, Bergoglio is called to Pope Benedict’s summer residence to discuss the church’s future. The South American bishop tells the pope he wants to retire, feeling like “a salesman” for a product he can’t endorse anymore, but heated conversations lead to heart-to-hearts between the two where they get to know each other.
The pope is a piano-playing guy who adores a show about a crime-solving police dog and wonders aloud if he needs a “spiritual hearing aid.†Bergoglio lives for soccer and the tango, though harbors a tumultuous backstory (told in flashback) that involves choosing God over love as well as political controversy. He’s reveling in the beauty of the Sistine Chapel when the pope drops a bomb: It’s he who plans to resign because of failing health and feeling incapable of doing what’s best for his massive flock.
