- The way in which it explored Benedict's and Francis's disputes about theology and the proper role of a leader. Should a leader establish and maintain firm standards, or should he/she empower other people to discover the standards that work best? Benedict clearly holds more of a black-and-white view of Catholicism, while Francis has a streak of relativism. The dialogue between the two of them (especially the conversation in the garden, when they first meet) is powerful in the way that it illustrates the strengths and weaknesses of each perspective.
- The way in which both characters are fleshed out and feel truly human (notwithstanding their special status) -- a credit to both the actors and screenwriters. For me, Benedict has always been a bit off-putting, in his expressions and demeanor. The version of Benedict in this film, however, is vulnerable and fragile, and that enabled me to empathize with him and with his perspective.
- The element of humor. I really enjoyed the way that the two popes jousted with their words and the way some of this jousting had a humorous overlay. Also, the pizza scene and the tango scene (among others) reminded me of the importance of having fun with our lives.
- The way in which the two popes slowly built a genuine friendship with each other, which reached a climax when each confessed. I have rarely seen a film do a better job of showing two people gradually connecting on both the intellectual and spiritual levels.
I look forward to re-watching this movie in the future. It's a true gem.
