The Two Popes (2019)

UK /US /Italy /Argentina
Director: Fernando Meirelles; Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce

The Two Popes is a surprisingly entertaining biographical dramatisation of discussions between Popes Benedict and Francis. Serving as a proxy for the debate within the Catholic Church, the two pontiffs discuss a range of personal, social and cultural issues that challenge traditional dogma and the need for change. Although Hopkins and Pryce are splendid in their portrayals, the resulting humanisation of this decrepit duo generates more sympathy for the institution than is deserved (Klaus Ming January 2020).