The Two Popes

"Raising issues, but never confronting them, this is a beautifully shot, but nonetheless deeply theatrical and sentimental tale. In sidestepping controversy, it trips over its own moral shoelaces with, for example, flashbacks to Bergoglio’s youth in Argentina, but none to Ratzinger’s stint in Austria’s Hitler Youth. And, whilst child abuse in the Catholic Church is mentioned, it’s rapidly jettisoned in favour of undeniably entertaining banter and intellectual dueling."

"But well before its end, the film has settled into the groove of a corny buddy comedy so unreal that little trace remains of the serious issues at stake."

"Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce find some tremendous actorly form in this humorous, indulgent, lop-sidedly sentimental “Pope-off” which becomes a Pontiff bromance."

"Fernando Meirelles' fictionalized conversation between two pontiffs illuminates the intersection between penance and growth."

"The Two Popes is an exuberant Vatican-set buddy movie that attempts to lift the lid on the inner workings of the Holy See."

"The delicate dance between the two veteran actors, both eagerly devouring a late-life jewel of a script, is a joy to behold."

"There's an unquestionable appeal to the way the movie transforms a weighty and divisive topic into more approachable terms."

"As an extraordinary piece of writing - and an even more impressive showcase for its actors - it eloquently communicates the importance of giving people something to believe in."

"Anchored by two outstanding performances from Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce, the film is a triumph of writing as well as unostentatious filmmaking."