Parent reviews for The Two Popes

A film that holds onto you and then you realize it's Jonathan Pryce doing that...having a hold on you. He is very believable as Pope Francis. He has come a long way from arguably Bond's worst villain in Tomorrow Never Dies. And from yellow face in Miss Saigon in the 90s...this performance was delicate, strong with impeccable accents. Hopkins convinces (shocker) as Pope Benedict and the dialogue is a joy.

One theme in the film that I have not seen mentioned in public and professional reviews is the importance of forgiveness of self and from others. Although portrayed as diametrically opposed in their politics and theological interpretations of the Gospels and dramatically different in their personalities, the two Popes find common ground in their awareness of their limits as human beings and sincerity in their quest for meaning through faith. They are able to admit their flaws, weaknesses, sins if you like, and find forgiveness and love and acceptance when being vulnerable to each.

This is a film is like other true-story based films. what makes it extra ordinary are based on some facts: firstly, it is about the live, story(history) of two prominent individual, combination of holiness and being so human. Secondly, many 'sides' offered by the story like the importance of 'jokes' in life, talking about common things in life, history of two great individuals, hostory of a nation under violence (not to be copoied), and the greatest thing is humility of two great Leaders.

This is a well-directed and beautifully filmed movie that covers and idealizes the story of the two recent consecutive popes, one a conservative and one a liberal. It is much more the story of Pope Francis, the current pope, then it is of Pope Benedict. Pope Francis comes to Italy after living through horrendous tragedy and great personal trials. He is much more in tune with the world than Benedict and he teaches Benedict a great deal about love and life during their friendship. It will give the viewer an idealistic view of the events in this fictionalized friendship but it also offers a very serious look with real footage of violence and unheaval that took place in Argentina when Pope Francis was a priest. It will lead to many questions from young viewers; so as a parent bone up on history before your family views this movie. There are articles about Pope Francis's past that can easily be found. I remember one in the New Yorker that covered much of what was covered in this movie.