Skip to main content

The Two Popes

Rarely in Hollywood is a production with two protagonists popular.

The film titled 'The Two Popes' was produced by the silicon valley disruptor media company called 'Netflix' unlike the legacy studios with big budget blockbusters, and has two lead roles.  It is a biographical narrative into the lives of two of the contemporary Bishops of Rome, the Holy See or what are commonly called - Pope.  The leader of over a billion Catholics globally the papacy is a powerful institution.

The film traces the arc of the era of a German born and controversial cardinal Ratzinger who became the Papa or the Pope after the death of John Paul II.  Then it moves into the parallel life of the Archbishop of Argentina Jorge Bergoglio who is visiting Rome to hand in his resignation to this Pope. 

It starred Sir Hopkins, a popular Welsh name, playing the role of Ratzinger against a not so popular Welsh actor called John Pryce who plays Bergoglio.

The real life story is interesting, complex and exposes the many mishaps and missteps that have rocked the Catholic church including the child sex abuse scandals. It was largely on Ratzinger's watch who while being very conservative allowed these deeds to go unpunished.

The arrival of Bergoglio is a good foil with his wit and easy charm he uses to get to know his audience; the masses that attend his sermon in Argentina.  While he too has ghosts in his closet he is grounded in reality and gets vote of confidence as the successor to Pope Benedict (this formality where these Popes take on a new name to lead the faithful) by Ratzinger himself who sees the need for a new voice for the church.  He is subsequently annointed Pope Francis as we know of him today.

Light hearted with a sombre message and largely focused on these two amazingly versatile character actors this one is a good film to watch.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

On the go(zay masta) in Japan again

Cool cat the Japanese are Tokyo at dusk  My second visit to this land of the rising sun after almost a decade. Back then clearly I was wet behind the ears product manager and likely didn’t pay attention to all (efficient) things Japanese. But today I did and of course continue to be impressed. It is as much the obvious stuff like on time travel that is both clean and comfortable and all that which makes it possible. The impressive landmark and landscapes that these humans have put together despite their cramped (or because of it) surroundings and precarious geological conditions could amaze a novice architect among us. But it’s also the little things that someone had to think about which have a phenomenal impact on day to day lives that make the Japanese stand apart. Below are few random examples- 1. Providing a very fine machined wooden toothpick in every packet of wooden chopsticks. The said chapsticks are simply set on the To Go counter of any food vendor/ convenience store wher...
Post a Comment
Read more

Presumptive Society

Today's world is hyper connected.  I am not so sure what it means but you hear it a lot.  It is probably hyper but not sure how connected it is.  Sugar (fermented or not) is available in many ways than before and so getting hyper is easy.  It is probably more a threat than cocaine since it is sold legally. And what is this connected stuff?  Most people I encounter seem disconnected from reality.  So going back to this assumption that we are connected there are subtle and no so subtle instances of how brands and companies and middle men try to portray someone - A linkedin profile for somebody working for X years at a place advertises to the connected network that so and so is CELEBRATING X years @ Such and Such Inc. Do we know if (s)he is celebrating or cringing?  Perhaps a better way to portray will be - So and So LASTED X years @ such & such inc. Then it exhorts the readership to go ahead and congratulate them for this lasting effe...
2 comments
Read more

The Central State aka MP

Narmada river and site of Omkareshwar Indore Rajwada or palace of the Lady Holkar   Somewhat geographically centered in India is the hot landscape of MADHYA PRADESH. A region I had a faint memory of visiting as a young lad eons ago. Now in my (along with my best half) quest to get to know lands far and wide I got an opportunity to visit Indore city and surrounding areas in MP. It begins with an evening visit to a bustling old market selling native snacks both savory and sweet. It is the realm of jewelers who run night time street side restaurants once they close their primary operations at dusk. Think of it as desi style block party that I am told goes into wee hours of the morning. My impression was it is worth one visit.  The humid and hot ambience along with crush of humanity doesn’t make for a pleasant dining experience but the sheer variety of foods sort of makes up for it. From piping hot coconut filled fritters to oodles of milk based sweet confections, I gorged on item...
Post a Comment
Read more