Runtime 125 Minutes

Capsule Review (minimal spoilers):

The Two Popes is an interesting character study. It is the dramatization of events that happened in real life. Cardinal Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger (Anthony Hopkins) is elected Pope in 2005. He’s a conservative man, and that carries over into his papacy. He beat out other contenders, including the liberal Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce). Bergoglio returns to his normal duties in Argentina, until, one day, he travels back to the Vatican. Coincidentally, the Pope summons him to talk.

Thus begins a set of conversations that form the basis for the movie. It’s as if an impressionist came up with the premise, you can almost hear it – “What if two contradictory Roman Catholic priests struck up a friendship? It might go a little something like this… ” and he turns around for a moment, then begins his act.

It’s an unusual relationship that that actually happened, and it’s really compelling. Hopkins and Pryce are at the top of their acting game, and they’re perfectly suited for these characters. It’s been said that Pryce physically resembles Bergoglio, even by Pryce’s children!

To reveal any more would ruin the film. You have to watch it and allow yourself to be drawn in to the story. I won’t say any more other than it’s quite good, and worth your time if you love interpersonal drama.