MOVIE: Knives out for The Two Popes

THE list of popes who have been murdered is surprisingly long. And while this week’s major cinema release doesn’t point to another papal conspiracy theory, it does show us the behind the scenes politics that happen at the Vatican when a new leader is selected.

‘The Two Popes’ stars Anthony Hopkins as the German conservative Pope Benedict and Jonathan Pryce as the more liberal Argentinian soon to be Pope Francis, in a tale of friendship, politics and ecumenical matters, the likes of which have not been witnessed since the days of Father Ted. The acting is unsurprisingly, superb, with Pryce especially magnificent, and the story is surprisingly tense and compelling as we wait for the white smoke to show, and secrets to be revealed. Hats off (large white ones) to the director as well, for a movie we award a review score of four papal stars.

Also new this week and a completely different beast all together is ‘Knives Out’, a dark comedy whodunit set around the murder of fictional fiction writer Harlan Thrombey on the night of his 85th birthday. Enter super sleuth Benoit Blanc to interview the extended family and solve the case that involves enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Fans of the Agatha Christie films will be first in line for this highly enjoyable romp that boasts an impressive cast which includes Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas, Chris Evans and Jamie Lee Curtis. We would have liked it to be funnier, but it’s still mighty good fun.

Recently released is the bleak drama ‘Them that Follow’ about the daughter of a fanatical preacher who ends up getting into trouble with the wrong guy. You can guess where this one ends up, and you’re right, but there is some fine acting along the way by lead Alice Englert and Olivia Coleman.

And finally we have ‘Harriet’, the worthy real-life tale of slave turned slave rescuer, Harriet Tubman, in a feature that plays like a Lifetime TV movie. There’s a really good film in this story, but unfortunately, this isn’t it.

Paul O’Rourke