Synopsis: From director Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front) CONCLAVE follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – selecting a new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy and discovers a secret that could shake the very foundation of The Church.
What We Thought:
Conclave is the most infuriating film of 2024 for me. For 80-85% of the movie it is the clear cut Best Picture of the Year. It is absolutely gorgeous to look at and will land directing and cinematography nominations. It has a fantastic score. It’s acted effortlessly and should land Ralph Fiennes Best Actor nominations and maybe supporting nods for Stanley Tucci or John Lithgow or Isabella Rossellini. It is a taut political thriller despite being about electing the next pope. It has espionage vibes and feels like a jaw dropping courtroom drama.
Then it decides it wants to say something and it will divide audiences. I’m not a religious man and even I think the movie crossed a line. As a non-religious man a movie about electing a pope doesn’t seem like something in my wheelhouse, but so much of it is incredible filmmaking you sit there enthralled in what you are watching. You don’t have to be Catholic or Christian to be entertained by the masterclass on the big screen. That’s how great the movie was for most of the time, non-believers can watch a movie that has no real agenda or bias and feels like a political thriller. But then it turns.
Instead of sticking with the attitude of here are the characters and this is what they are doing, it decides to say something about these people and their beliefs (and the beliefs of millions and millions of people around the world). Instead of just showing its audience what the inside of the voting process is like, the backstabbing, political and financial efforts made by every cardinal in consideration, it punches down on them to show the filmmaker’s beliefs. If you want to make a movie against the Catholic church, go for it. Spotlight used the Catholic priests sex scandal as its plot. Have some guts and do the entire movie that way, don’t hide it. If you want to show that the Vatican and church need to be more progressive in your eyes, make that the movie, don’t sneak it in later on.
Reactions to Conclave will vary depending on the individual viewer. Some people cheered for it as the credits rolled. Many viewers will be offended by it and see it as a spit in the face of Catholicism. It will land multiple award nominations and most likely win many. It could very easily see a boycott from religious groups as well. All of that makes sense in today’s political climate.
The Nerds Templar 