Review of The Two Popes (2019) by Brent_Marchant — 17 Jan 2020

A modestly engaging look at the sometimes-contentious, sometimes-brotherly relationship of Pope Benedict XVI and his successor, Pope Francis, and how their highly unusual transition via the former's resignation came into being (and why).

Through a series of prolonged conversations and strategically inserted flashbacks, viewers learn how Francis was unwittingly groomed for a destiny he nearly tried to disavow and the behind-the-scenes maneuverings of his predecessor to encourage him to embrace it.

While this insightful offering features fine performances by Oscar nominees Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce and a number of thoughtful dialogues about faith, tradition and the future of the Church, its sometimes-uneven pacing and occasionally wooden exchanges tend to bog down the flow of the narrative despite the best efforts of its two leads to conceal these shortcomings.

Not a bad film but certainly not one up to the hyped praise it's received, either.