Jane Gallagher

One star for the plot. A promising beginning that swiftly unravels to the point of absurdity. An additional star is awarded solely for David Tennant, who somehow manages to shine even when working with such weak material.

Boring. Absolutely boring. Knightley and the cast flounder through a nonsensical plot that stretches credibility to the breaking point. The film is little more than an overlong study of an irritating character running around, obsessed with trivialities. Poorly conceived, worse executed, it deserves the same fate as its story: to sink and never be seen again.

An exquisite beginning, undone by an implausible end I found myself utterly drawn in by the opening of The Conclave. Its measured, almost meditative pace was a refreshing change from the frenetic tempo of so much modern cinema. The cinematography was exquisite—composed, reverent, and rich with atmosphere. I could have watched it unfold for hours, so immersive was the visual storytelling. Ralph Fiennes, as ever, was sublime. His performance was understated yet intense, exuding gravitas without resorting to theatricality. There was a remarkable attention to detail in the early scenes—costume, setting, language—all of which seemed to promise a film of quiet integrity and thoughtful ambition. And then, quite suddenly, it faltered. The final act felt like a departure not only from the film’s own tone but from its entire raison d’être. The eventual choice for the papacy—both the individual selected and what he was portrayed to represent—strayed so far into fantasy that it rendered the preceding narrative irrelevant. The carefully cultivated authenticity was swept aside, replaced by a conclusion that felt implausible to the point of being disingenuous. A pity, indeed. The film held real potential, and for a time, it seemed to honour it. But in its final moments, it chose artifice over substance—and in so doing, lost the very credibility it had worked so hard to establish.

I hadn’t seen The Two Popes until today, but it felt like the right film to watch in light of the Pope’s passing. What a quietly powerful and deeply human piece of cinema. This is an excellent film—tactful, thoughtful, and respectful in its portrayal of two very different men brought together by faith, conscience, and the weight of responsibility. It is not simply a study of Church politics, but a compassionate exploration of friendship, forgiveness, and change. The acting is nothing short of outstanding. Both Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce inhabit their roles with extraordinary nuance and grace, offering a believable and moving portrait of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. Their dialogues—at once philosophical and deeply personal—are delivered with sincerity and warmth. As a tribute to the late Pope Francis, it feels especially fitting. The film honours his humility, his openness, and his unwavering commitment to the people he served. I’m glad I waited to watch it—today, it felt like both a comfort and a quiet farewell.

I like John Simm. He is a great actor. But this show gives him very little to work with. The writing is lazy. The plot is not followed through. It is all over the place. Such badly written characters. Like cardboard cutouts. Wooden, soulless. A disappointment.

It is just terrible. Lazy writing, poor acting, everything and everyone are false and unrelatable. The characters are very unpleasant, immoral and weak, there is no one to root for. Incredibly boring and depressing. Not to mention it is incredibly unoriginal. It copies Succession, even the opening credits, it uses the plot elements of Ally McBeal, which was much more original, and the music is almost a direct quotation from Love Actually (Glasgow theme). Just terrible.

An excellent film. Much better than expected. Kate Winslet is a powerhouse! All performances are exceptional. A wonderful portrayal of a truly extraordinary life. Moving, gutsy and inspirational.

What a moving, emotional story. Beautifully told. Kept me on the verge of tears throughout. Honest, humane, poignant. Incredible.