Directed by Fernando Meirelles

Starring: Jonathan Pryce, Anthony Hopkins, Juan Minujín

Rated PG-13 for thematic content and some disturbing violent images

“The Two Popes” is a Netflix film inspired on true events detailing the relationship of then current Pope Benedict XVI (played by Anthony Hopkins) and then current Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio(played by Jonathan Pryce) , who would later become Pope Francis. The film largely follows Pope Benedict XVI’s final weeks as the Pope before his retirement and Cardinal Bergoglio’s ascension into the papacy in 2013.

“The Two Popes” is quite an enjoyable film with excellent acting from film legends Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins. The two actors are almost identical to their respective counterparts. Pryce does an impeccable impersonation of future Pope Francis and so does Hopkins with the then Pope. The story of “The Two Popes” also has a simple message of how forgiveness is the key to living a life. Both men in the story are not perfect and need to seek forgiveness to redeem themselves. I appreciate the message in the film and the message is not forced nor is it religious in any way. Anyone who has a different faith can certainly watch the film and have an appreciation of the theme of the film, without the film having to push any agenda.

The film has the tag “inspired by true events”, meaning almost none of this actually happened. It is possible that the the two men were actually friendly and aggressive towards each other in private, but it is almost certain that a good chunk of the film is made up. The flash backs in the film could be certainly real and it was nice to see how Francis was not a perfect person. I think viewers should be aware that a good portion of the film is fiction and based on assumption.

Overall, “The Two Popes” is an enjoyable film that presents a message we can all relate that is told by two great actors. Should audiences rush to see the film? Probably not and I wouldn’t say this is a must see film, but more of a film that should be seen if there is nothing to view on Netflix. This is not a dig against the film as if one were to watch “The Two Popes” audiences will certainly be delighted.

3/4