Film Review: The Two Popes. Director: Fernando Mersailles.
Oscar Wilde, the ever so caustic writer remarked that lonely people often seek refuge in religion because religion never lets them feel lonely and it also has the chief elements and charms of a flirtation. People all over the world choose religion because they want to believe in something, validate and justify their actions, but mostly just to feel safe. Is it a matter that demands consideration that while public figures like politicians and bureaucrats are elected and appointed respectively, religious figures are anointed and the holy communion is sprinkled on their breasts. They are God's people on earth, and like all people of mystery, God's people invite the most amount of intrigue.
'The Two Popes' directed by Fernando Mersailles, streaming on 'Netflix' is a comedy drama film about His Holiness, The Pope Benedict and His Eminence The Pope Francis, who wants to resign before his tenure and for this reason travels all the way from Argentina to The Vatican to supplicate His Holiness The Pope Benedict. As he broaches the subject with His Holiness, The Pope Benedict, a battle of wits, a cornucopia of camaraderie and eventual ''commradery'' ensues between them.
'The Two Popes' is a film abounded with finery, the bovine yet dynamic Vatican with all its internal procedures, the beautiful Vatican itself, and of course the riveting conversation between the protagonists. The film is an embodiment of an enchanting script with an accurate casting. 'The Two Popes' gapes into the internal procedures of The Vatican, such as casting the votes for the Papal Elections, its glory, and in a way explores the nuances of this beautiful City State.
The cinema captures many topics in the beautiful conversation between the protagonists.The tantamount support and cynicism religious figures garner, their struggle for supremacy inter se, portrayed in a similar manner as to the internal struggles of Stephen Dedalus, in Joyce's novel 'The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man' and the accismus for leadership, where it is desired but never asked for and the importance of traditions in traditional places, vis a vis the current lack of it is all beautifully touched upon. One of the reasons why the audience is sure to enjoy this film is because even if religious figures are the central subjects, the film is far from a sermon.
As the film progresses, the audience is sure to remember the once glorious history of the religious institutions that even had the authority to collect taxes from the masses and the complete autonomy these institutions once enjoyed. Compared to the earlier times where such institutions were a tool for exploitation to their simplest and purest forms: a haven for believers, 'The Two Popes' passes upon the relevance of that history as on today.
The best part about the film, needless to say is the beautiful conversation between the protagonists which is vocabulary as well as humor enhancing to say the least. It is insightful, yet light, divine, yet rational, miraculous, yet believable. There are many reasons to watch this masterpiece and the audience is sure to enjoy every moment of it.The protagonists also discuss topics that drag religious figures into controversy such as paedophelia, sodomy and homophobia.
The exploration of crimes committed by religious figures in the USA has been done in the 2015 Oscar Award winning film 'Spotlight' which brought to light many facts including the establishment of therapy centres for priests who engaged in paedophelia and sodomy. In 'The New Pope', streaming on Netflix (sequel to 'The Young Pope' , read full review here: https://bff-anewdimension.blogspot.com/2020/07/series-review-young-pope-director-paolo.html), Pope John Paul III (Played by the legendary Sir John Malkovich) wins the hearts of the Catholic realm by telling them that the Lord loves punks and homosexuals as much as he does everyone else.
'The Two Popes' is full of richness. As His Holiness The Pope Benedict, and His Eminence Pope Francis travel together to the various properties owned by The Vatican, the aesthetics and the beauty of the places is sure to give the audience 'travel goals'. The film is an absolute genius and is proof that if a film has a breath taking script and breath taking performers, nothing else matters.
The cinematic experience of the film is astounding and some of the dialogues written in the film are insightful and overwhelming. Fernando Mersailles who has also written the script for the film deserves to be lauded for all the love in his heart that made such mature, clear and witty script possible. The direction of the film is excellent, and the audience is sure to experience that over two hours went by in a jiffy. The emanating intellectuality and absence of vulgarity and profanity of the smallest kind makes the film a complete fit for a family audience. The acting is purposely not being reviewed. The protagonists, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Sir Jonathan Pryce are legends. 'The Two Popes' has a magical effect of touching the soul of audience whilst being impersonal which is a mammoth feat.
Overall, 'The Two Popes' exudes brilliance and mastery in its every aspect, and everyone needs to watch this film though it is a classy one, and not a massy one.
MY TAKE: 10/10.
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Yes , the film is really marvelous.
ReplyDeleteYou have incorporated everything in your review, from the beautiful script to the beautifully recreated Vatican. Keep writing!
Very apt review. Each virtue related to film making, and making
ReplyDeleteit interesting, is dealt with, with the required finesse. I particularly liked that you have avoided reviewing the performances of the two lead actors as it is because of them that such a subject reaches the audience so nicely. One can't imagine some other actors replacing them.
I intend to see it once again now after gaining some new view points from this review. Thanks
Very well written 👍🏻 Another class act by Anthony Hopkins 💯
ReplyDelete