Two Popes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5OhkFY1PQE

Dear Friends,

Yesterday, Cybele and I went to see "Two Popes", a film now showing at the Movie Mill with showtimes at 12:30, 3:30, 6:45 and 9:30 p.m. The film producer has set ticket prices at $8.00. It is a Netflix- produced film that is expected to contend for Best Drama and Best Screenplay - and possibly Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor as well.  It was reviewed in the Lethbridge Herald on December 12, 2019. Here is the synopsis from Netflix Films quoted by Leonard Binning in the Herald:

"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." 

You will recall the pivotal moment in our church seven years ago when Pope Benedict  decided to resign to the surprise and consternation of the hierarchy and laity alike. This movie is not based on sworn testimony as we have seen with recent events in the U.S.A. Nor have the two Popes revealed the content of any conversations that they may or may not have had. But screenwriter Anthony McCarten has used dramatic licence to come up with a very plausible meeting between the two men.

Critics have described the film as a "masterpiece"  and "a heavenly delight...warm, witty and surprisingly moving"(Adrian Hennigan in Israel News). I found it a bit disjointed by the frequent use of flashbacks some of which I thought unnecessary. But, both Hopkins and Pryce play their parts to perfection and the interplay between the two contrasting men is riveting. A film that is largely a dialogue between the two central characters could quite easily have become a drag but I assure you that you will wish that the movie was  longer than its 126 minutes and had explored some of the disturbing issues that have troubled the Roman Catholic Church in recent times.

I expected a reasonable turnout for a film of this caliber and with such outstanding actors playing the central roles. I was disappointed that there were precisely only ten persons present at the show I attended. That is what prompted me to write this account. I know that with Christmas only 12 shopping days away, everyone is busy. Also, many of you have possibly watched the film on Netflix and on line, But, if you have not seen this movie and have no other way to see it, you will find your time and $8 well-spent viewing this film on the big screen. The scenes shot in the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Gardens are stunning.  Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce are brilliant. Popes are not readily accessible men and therefore are often considered aloof and withdrawn, Hopkins and Pryce make our Popes very human figures troubled by the same concerns we would have in their positions and bowed by the weight of responsibility they shoulder for the well-being of our Church. Please try to see this film before it completes its run in the Movie Mill this week. Please.

Francis

Pope Benedict (Anthony Hopkins) and Cardinal Bergoglio, later Pope 

Francis (Jonathan Pryce) share a private moment.