ASHOK’S FIVE reasons to watch The Two Popes
And its back … ASHOK’S FIVE reasons to watch “The Two Popes”. When was the last time you came across a movie where you struggled to explain the story or the plot and yet urged someone to go watch it? “Hey what’s the story?” …"Umm…err…. Its about two old men having a really long conversation… inside the Sistine Chapel” …. And that folks is what its all about …. This is really my kind of film…where nothing really happens and yet it leaves you pondering over so many different things…
1. See this film for some superlative acting. Anthony Hopkins mesmerizes you with his charm, his gravitas as Pope Benedict and the click of his tongue before he utters his prim and proper dialogues. The conflict of living up to his exacting standards and to be worthy of the seat of Peter is juxtaposed against a supremely intelligent soul and every line of debate is like the spar of a sword in a duel of words! Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Bergoglio is the antithesis - younger, more open to experiments, fond of football and the tango and a belief that the attitude prevails over what is right or wrong. As the two men battle it out over the couple of days at the Vatican, their philosophy, their life choices and their vastly varying approaches to the Catholic Church emerge amidst an endearing duel, laced with a warm sense of humor.
2. The film is a studied narrative on the troubles of the catholic faith and the choices in front of the Church in that decade. As the world moves on and as news of the ills of the system tumble out of the closet of the highest institution, the world would have seen a massive debate. One school of thought would have taken the moral high ground and would have condemned everything to sin and punishment. This school would continue to reject the simple joys of a football game or a few steps of dance to damnation. The other school would have been more liberal and would take things in its stride and place a premium on the attitude and temperament rather than the book of codes when it comes to theology.
3. Emanating from the above is the proverbial debate on life philosophies. Where does one find emancipation from sin? Or is one condemned to suffer in silence? Is there solace in forgiveness and seeking salvation? Does one weigh oneself down under the burdens of past wrong-doings and keep going down in a spiral of misgivings; does one say goodbye to one’s inner voice that helps keep the spirit alive? Or does one move on and take life as it comes? Stand for what you think is the way ahead and attempt to make good? And find joy from the little things every day? Is that also a path that can be attempted?
4. For those who have never been to the Vatican, “The two Popes” is a veritable fest of the breath-taking Roman architecture, the wondrous Sistine chapel and the glory of the paintings of Michelangelo. For those who have been to the Vatican, the film is a walk down a one-in-a-million experience once again. The aura of the chapels and the corridors and the rooms leaves you mesmerized!
5. Director Fernando Meirelles leaves you with a narrative that has that simple strain of humor…much like the mint leaves in a glass of crushed ice and mojito… the humor that does not make your burst out into peals of laughter but lets you go with a warm and endearing smile that burns through your cheeks much like the stab of first love!
1. See this film for some superlative acting. Anthony Hopkins mesmerizes you with his charm, his gravitas as Pope Benedict and the click of his tongue before he utters his prim and proper dialogues. The conflict of living up to his exacting standards and to be worthy of the seat of Peter is juxtaposed against a supremely intelligent soul and every line of debate is like the spar of a sword in a duel of words! Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Bergoglio is the antithesis - younger, more open to experiments, fond of football and the tango and a belief that the attitude prevails over what is right or wrong. As the two men battle it out over the couple of days at the Vatican, their philosophy, their life choices and their vastly varying approaches to the Catholic Church emerge amidst an endearing duel, laced with a warm sense of humor.
2. The film is a studied narrative on the troubles of the catholic faith and the choices in front of the Church in that decade. As the world moves on and as news of the ills of the system tumble out of the closet of the highest institution, the world would have seen a massive debate. One school of thought would have taken the moral high ground and would have condemned everything to sin and punishment. This school would continue to reject the simple joys of a football game or a few steps of dance to damnation. The other school would have been more liberal and would take things in its stride and place a premium on the attitude and temperament rather than the book of codes when it comes to theology.
3. Emanating from the above is the proverbial debate on life philosophies. Where does one find emancipation from sin? Or is one condemned to suffer in silence? Is there solace in forgiveness and seeking salvation? Does one weigh oneself down under the burdens of past wrong-doings and keep going down in a spiral of misgivings; does one say goodbye to one’s inner voice that helps keep the spirit alive? Or does one move on and take life as it comes? Stand for what you think is the way ahead and attempt to make good? And find joy from the little things every day? Is that also a path that can be attempted?
4. For those who have never been to the Vatican, “The two Popes” is a veritable fest of the breath-taking Roman architecture, the wondrous Sistine chapel and the glory of the paintings of Michelangelo. For those who have been to the Vatican, the film is a walk down a one-in-a-million experience once again. The aura of the chapels and the corridors and the rooms leaves you mesmerized!
5. Director Fernando Meirelles leaves you with a narrative that has that simple strain of humor…much like the mint leaves in a glass of crushed ice and mojito… the humor that does not make your burst out into peals of laughter but lets you go with a warm and endearing smile that burns through your cheeks much like the stab of first love!
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