The Two Popes

Who would have thought a movie about two men talking about religion would be any good? Well, The Two Popes is excellent. Written by Anthony McCarten and directed by Fernando Meirelles, it is exceedingly well acted and often gripping. Of course, probably none of it ever happened.

The film begins with the election of Joseph Ratzinger as Pope after the death of John Paul II. He's seen as a conservative, who earned the nickname "Cardinal No." He's staunchly against any reforms, such as married priests or tolerance of homosexuals. Getting some votes was Jorge Borgoglio, a Cardinal from Argentina, who is a reformer. I believe, though, that vote totals are not released, so we have no idea if Borgoglio got any votes at all, as everything done in the conclave is completely secret.

Some years later Borgoglio (Jonathan Pryce) wants to retire, and has submitted paperwork, as the Pope must approve his request. The Pope, called Benedict XVI (Anthony Hopkins) calls him to his summer residence to discuss it with him. Their conversations form the majority of the film.

All of this is speculation on McCarten's part. Certainly the two did not see eye to eye, and in their first conversation Hopkins accuses Pryce of wanting to retire to make him look bad. They disagree about everything, though Pryce struggles to maintain some kind of civility. He urges Hopkins to play a bit on the piano, and the topic of The Beatles comes up.

Eventually Hopkins reveals he wants to resign, and McCarten takes up the possibility its because of scandals that include the arrest of Hopkins' aide and the blind eye to priests abusing young boys throughout the world. Pryce urges him not to resign, but Hopkins is resolute, understanding that though he disagrees with him, Pryce is a worthy successor.

As long as the film centers on Pryce and Hopkins, who are both excellent, The Two Popes is intriguing, as we are given a unique view into a world that is kept from our eyes. But the film takes a detour when Pryce relates how he can never be Pope--his actions during a military junta in Argentina made him a divisive figure there, and he thinks that would disqualify him. This stuff is true, but oddly it goes on far too long and takes the movie off track (and has a another actor playing Borgoglio as a younger man, who doesn't look much like Pryce).

The film is best when it's just the two men sparring. Of course, Borgoglio would be elected the successor to Ratzinger, and is now Francis I, well beloved by the world, even among non-Catholics who seem him as a man of empathy and compassion.

In reading a bit about the film, it is thought that it takes a kinder view of Ratzinger. Indeed, through the writing and Hopkins' performance, he is humanized perhaps more than he deserves. A completely fictional scene at the end, in which the two watch a World Cup final featuring their home countries, makes it seem like they are best buddies, when this probably not the case, as Ratzinger has written statements indicating he is not pleased with the new papacy. What I wondered is whether these men can ever let their hair down. They do get to eat pizza, according to the film, but do they ever get to get out of those robes and wear t-shirts and sweatpants? Apparently not, alas.