After quite a long break, I decided to go back into movie watching. I realized that maybe I've been going too hard for too long and I needed to just relax.
Still, I know it might be odd for others but my best movie to use relax is none other than a theological movie.
So, going into my ever growing movie list, I looked for the most recent theological movie I had and it was a pleasant surprise that it was based on the most recent real world theological event.
The Catholic Church.
The Two Popes.
Plot
When Pope John Paul II died, the conclave that followed was one of a very political mindset. With the Cardinals separated into two factions gunning for two spiritually strong men; Cardinal Bergolio and Cardinal Benedict.
After Cardinal Benedict won, the newly elected Pope faced the trials of the head of the church and decided to have a talk with his rival.
Now I'm not a Catholic, but the fact that they're the biggest Christian fellowship movement means that the majority of the Christianity themed movies are based on Catholicism. At such, we have so many great movies to choose from.
And this is just another beautiful one.
The Two Popes is a biography so these are based on real events and yet somehow it seemed so otherworldly because of how young and uninterested I was when they began in the year 2005 (I was born in the year 2005).
The majority of the movie is actually a conversation. A conversation between two different men who have to come to terms with each other, have to forgive each other and then have to forgive themselves, before carrying the burden their choices have placed on them.
Father Bergolio is the main character in this film. A jovial, minimalistic and easygoing Arch Bishop who loved soccer and to help the poor and was loved even more by the people he helped.
Because of his fame, good deeds and expressive acts of kindness and holiness, he moved up the ranks and was a strong presence even amongst the other Cardinals and Arch Bishops.
As for Cardinal Benedict, his form was more rigid. The textbook Christian who believed what people saw and thought to be right was more important than what he thought was right.
He won the papalcy through his relationships formed and on the chair, he treated the church with an iron fist, earning him the name "God's Rottweiler" and amongst less of his fans, "The Christian Nazi."
The church had a scandal and the blowback on him is where the movie began.
We see Bergolio come to Pope Benedict with his letter of resignation and Pope Benedict questions him, trying to find the real reason for his resignation.
Throughout this questioning turned conversation turned confession we learn a lot about these two men of God.
We see their troubles, their fears, their sins and then we're forced to understand that elevated they may be, they are still just men.
This movie somehow reminds me of the cinematography style of the "The Man From Earth", because of how minimal the change of scenes are.
It's a conversation, despite it being in three different locations..
- The Popes Garden
- The Dinner Sitting Room
- The Room of Tears.
No action, no over expressive drama, just the sheer power of words and the words said draws you in.
Still this is a type of movie where I feel the actors need to have a certain flare to draw you in with such minimalistic movement.
Of course the actors Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pierce are literally two of the best in their games and are still moving in their old ages of 88 and 75 respectively. It's just an incredible feat.
Regardless, despite this being a movie you can check for the details anywhere or one you already know about because you lived and was an active Catholic during the incident. Still I tried my best to keep some details private to avoid spoilers.
I assure you, despite it being mostly a conversation, the movie is anything but boring. I rate it a stunning 9 out of 10 and I urge everyone to give it a try!
All unsourced images are screenshots from the movie.
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