The Two Popes

In select theaters
November 27^th 2019

pg13

125 minutes

Latin
English
Spanish
Italian
French
Portuguese
German

UK
Italy
Argentina
USA

An intimate story of one of the most dramatic transitions of power in the last 2,000 years. Frustrated with the direction of the church, Cardinal Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce) requests permission to retire in 2012 from Pope Benedict (Anthony Hopkins). Instead, facing scandal and self-doubt, the introspective Pope Benedict summons his harshest critic and future successor to Rome to reveal a secret that would shake the foundations of the Catholic Church. Behind Vatican walls, a struggle commences between both tradition and progress, guilt and forgiveness, as these two very different men confront their pasts in order to find common ground and forge a future for a billion followers around the world. Inspired by true events.

starring...

Jonathan Pryce

Pope Francis

Anthony Hopkins

Pope Benedict

Director

Fernando Meirelles

Writer

Anthony McCarten

Cinematographer

César Charlone

Music

Bryce Dessner

Editing

Fernando Stutz

Production Design

Mark Tildesley

Art Direction

Saverio Sammali

Tracey Seaward

Producer

99% on the CINEMETER

MIL

100% - Nov 24, 2019

Really done well. Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce were outstanding!
Milwaukee Member

Thought provoking movie that did not make me a believer in the Catholic Church. Wonderful acting!
Milwaukee Member

Thanks for sharing this Netflix production. There would not have been another way to watch it as a non-subscriber.
Milwaukee Member

Perfect in every way! Jonathan Price looks like the Pope more than the Pope! :)
Milwaukee Member

STL

100% - Nov 24, 2019

Strange to say of a film entitled "The Two Popes," however: wonderfully choreographed! Filled with gaiety, musically. Colorful, as well as, at time, entertaining. Witty narrative. Frances Meirelles was instructive in confronting issues of the church and civilization in a most engaging manner, including humor.
St. Louis Member

What a superb blend of history, religion, and humor!
St. Louis Member

A perfect film! Comedy, tragedy, pathos and wit. Superb.
St. Louis Member

This was one of the best films I ever saw. No kidding. Love Pope Francis even more.
St. Louis Member

Brilliant, quite simply, brilliant. A master class in filmmaking and acting. Beautiful compositions. I loved the juxtaposition of style (particularly the black and white). "Mercy is the dynamite that blows down walls." This film was dynamite that blew past expectation!
St. Louis Member

From Hannibal Lecter to the Pope: what a wonderful career actor Anthony Hopkins has had! Loved this film on so many levels: how humor was used to lend credibility, that they were human beings like the rest of us and how modern music was used to signify changing to current times! Also excellent acting--Jonathan Pryce was unbelievably good! Interesting subjects included: selling religion as a "product," "we're witnessing inequality growing like a cancer," and Hopkins saying about playing the piano, "I make mistakes, but I like it," which seems to define how he views being Pope. He likes the trappings. The bottom line message to me was that everything, including the church, needs to change with times to adjust to cultural changes. Excellent film!
St. Louis Member

This film was so powerful for so many reasons. Forgiveness, listening, and power of friendship (so quickly) to bring peace to all of us.
St. Louis Member

I'm pretty much of the opinion that one Pope is too many so "Two Popes" didn't sound thrilling. But I loved every minute of the film. It was thought provoking, funny, with excellent acting.
St. Louis Member

Wonderful movie! Acting was so good, perfectly cast, in footage at the end it took me a second to realize it was actually the 2 popes and not Hopkins and Pryce. Beautiful scenery and sets.
St. Louis Member

ATL

96% - Nov 24, 2019

OMG what a wonderful film!! Confession, love, compassion, equanimity—almost makes me want to convert to Catholicism!

Atlanta Member

Exceptionally sensitive telling of what could have been a negative view of a Catholic Church in a challenging time. Terrific acting by two great stars.
Atlanta Member

Excellent. I learned so much about the Pope, history and history. The acting was incredible. It makes the Pope so human!
Atlanta Member

What could be more enjoyable than watching two old men kvetch? A beautiful, compassionate, thought-provoking film showing the best of human-ness and ability to change, to forgive and to lead.
Atlanta Member

Without love, truth is unbearable. The acting and script and directing deftly conveyed this powerful message. Historical re-imaginings usually don’t appeal, but this was fresh and surprising in its depth and quirks (Abba!).
Atlanta Member

Beautiful film. Just a pleasure to watch two great actors in fine form. Yet the film somehow retains a broader scope, which is an amazing feat. The pacing kept the film entertaining start to finish. The flashbacks were less effective than the rest, but did add some texture even if they tried too hard. [Note: many, many comments on the excellent performances: "Best so far! Excellent acting. Pryce and Hopkins were awesome." "Beautifully developed--Hopkins, Pryce magnificent. I am encouraged!!" "A master class in acting."] "
Atlanta Member

Mirable dictum! Spectacular acting. A tour-de force—even for non-Catholics.
Atlanta Member

Outstanding acting, no drugs or excuses for poor or inadequate behavior. The whole aspect of a person is not just the part that is a failing or a weakness. The totality of a person is the good, bad, & ugly that he/she creates with the will and desire to become better.

Atlanta Member

BOS

99% - Nov 17, 2019

Best movie I saw since Moonlight--powerful, timely. Excellent message for all.
Boston Member

I do not like religious movies but I liked this one. Thank you.
Boston Member

Superb acting. Revealing, insightful, inspirational, poignant.
Boston Member

Remarkable film. Packed! I loved the editing cinematography, seriousness, lightness, humor, history, personal reflections, all in one.
Boston Member

Riveting, humorous.
Boston Member

Surpassed my expectations. A story of humanity for all and encompassing the world, regardless of religious and political perspectives.
Boston Member

Can you say Oscar noms?
Boston Member

Exceptional in every way! Pryce and Hopkins were so credible and everything about their relationship was developed skillfully. I particularly enjoyed the humor and the use of music. Bella Ciao was an inspired choice.
Boston Member

98% - Nov 17, 2019

Witty, pithy humor, gorgeous scenery and playful musical score. I loved this movie. Wonderful camaraderie between the two Popes. Wonderful symbolism (fog, rain, violence, etc.) and metaphor. Just fabulous and hopeful! Next step for the Catholic Church: women. Women in leadership, that would be progress. Thank you for bringing in a female speaker!
Greater New Haven Member

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to view THE TWO POPES. Excellent portrayal of the complex relationship - filled with feeling and verve. Loved it from beginning to end. Excellent speaker: added a great deal! [Note: numerous comments praising Jamie Manson. Example: 'Great guest speaker! Feminist perspective! Brava! It's about time!' Other examples included below.]
Greater New Haven Member

Fabulous: best film we have seen. Tastefully handled so many 'hot' issues in the Catholic Church.
Greater New Haven Member

What a pleasure to watch Hopkins and Pryce duke it out and dance. It is a brilliant look at the Catholic Church’s recent history and controversy via two singulat human beings. We are in great need of a feel-good movie. Loving, humorous, forgiving. However: does such a treatment of the underlying issue diminish their seriousness? What do we actually know at the end that we didn’t know at the beginning?
Greater New Haven Member

I am surprised to say that I loved this movie. It brought me into a world that I know little about but reaffirmed my belief that we humans have more similarities than differences. Excellent!
Greater New Haven Member

True films of ideas are so rare today and this was a marvelous one. Respectful and honest to many points of view.
Greater New Haven Member

There is redemption - always - in sharing our truths with another person. I am very moved.
Greater New Haven Member

Excellent dialogue: lovely 'bon mots.' Would be glad to watch again just to remember them. Excellent acting! Will be thinking about this for a long time.
Greater New Haven Member

Every scene, every dialogue, simply brilliant. Only problem is deciding who should get the Academy Award: Hopkins or Pryce. [Note: a great many audience members praised the performances - and, not surprisingly, Acting received the highest ratings, with 145 giving it a '5,' 10 giving it a '4,' and nothing below.]
Greater New Haven Member

Well-presented piece of history. A great story about life experience and the ability to learn and change. Great to see an uplifting, inspirational movie for a change. Great speaker!
Greater New Haven Member

The film was charming and honest. Had excellent performances by both Popes. Revealing many truths about the conflicts in the Church, and the difficulties a Pope must encounter in his spiritual journey. Guest speaker Jamie Manson is excellent. Thank you.
Greater New Haven Member

I loved it! As a recovering Catholic I found it heartwarming to see the human side of the Popes. [Similar comment: 'As a recovering Catholic I was prepared to be resistant to this film. It was delightful, witty, well-cast with excellent performances, humorous, and charming.']
Greater New Haven Member

Another remarkable movie that I would not have seen except for being a member of the Cinema Club. Thank you!
Greater New Haven Member

This is one of the best films I've seen at Sunday Cinema! It has to be the BEST music and most incredible acting.
Greater New Haven Member

Truly the best film I can remember. The entire production was stunning!
Greater New Haven Member

99% - Nov 24, 2019

I loved it! The interaction between Pryce & Hopkins was riveting thanks to their magnetism and a great script. I also loved the film’s sense of humor.
Washington, DC Member

I am not Catholic but I thought this was a wonderful movie and a reminder that it is the responsibility of the church and the world to care for the poor. I especially liked the looking backward and forward. An inspiring movie. I wish it were true.
Washington, DC Member

A new twist on the ‘buddy movie.’ The pleasure came from watching these two great actors take on such different popes. Both confronted loyalty to saving/preserving institutions at the expense of serving the people and humanitarian principles. Beautifully filmed, making connections between church and state visually clear.
Washington, DC Member

Politically powerful, personally powerful, almost made me want to be Catholic.
Washington, DC Member

Tour de Force! Brilliant in every way. Tear jerker and almost makes me want to convert.
Washington, DC Member

Loved the music - and took a rather dry subject and made it interesting.
Washington, DC Member

Netflix