Ahem, *cough, just playing devil's advocate here, is there actually any spirituality present in the process with these men vying for the top job? I mean, isn’t it a big part of the job description? Y’know, like its the CEO of a religion after all.
I confess a slight bias against blokes in fancy robes mumbling some hocus hocus and expecting their audience to believe that a bread IS THE ACTUAL BODY of a dude who lived over 2.000 years ago and wanted people to EAT his body. (oh and drink his blood too)
Thought experiment: if transubstantiation didn't exist previously and you were to start a cult that had it as its core belief they'd probably take you away and you'd end up heavily sedated.
I will actually watch the movie though, your review makes it sound quite nuanced.
Baz - always better to read my stuff after seeing the film, as I may discuss stuff you don’t want to know. I don’t have the newspaper rules on me now, so I’m not trying to provide consumer advice. Although I still think twice about revealing too much…old habits, as they say in the Vatican… to your point, spirituality is in the eye of the beholder. Or beholden.
Conclave wasn't actually on my 'must see' list so I had a wee peek at your review - and was actually drawn in - life is short and dramas on the Vatican hierarchy wouldn't normally be my thing.
This movie is best watched without knowing anything about it! I came in expecting to be bored. As a Catholic, I'm somewhat familiar with everything here but I was delightfully surprised how much I don't know. The film was a sumptuous feast in deep reds, silence, and orchestrated suspense. I did not expect it to be thrilling and thoughtful.
I have never approached films about the Church from the framework of faith; this film is after all a commentary about a human institution, subject to all our frailties. I agree. But human frailties is no reason to completely dismantle a bedrock of faith, change perhaps. The very same questions among the members were discussed in the film confound its lay members as I can assure you: do we return to the Latin mass (I enjoy it actually) or keep going with progressive changes, how much changes should we adopt? I do vehemently wish all sexual predators are persecuted and ejected from the church and why they weren't remains a clear injustice. Anyway, these are the ramblings from one of its members.
I watched this film win best picture in the sag awards. It was a surprise as I thought the other competitors like Emilia Perez, Brutalist, or Anora would have won it. Anyone can win at this point, apparently. Even a quiet sweeping film such as this.
I went to see this movie with my husband. We found it riveting from the start. The twist at the end was incredible, we didn’t see that coming! Not only was it great story but cinematically it was a visual feast. Our idea of a really good movie is one that generates discussion after. We spoke about this movie for days after exploring all manner of themes. It is truly deserving of all the nominations. Looking forward to your film reviews.
A bit of context first was raised a devout Catholic in my youth. Drifted away in my twenties partly because I was reading in multi faith mystic traditions and the idea of a jolly fat white man with a white beard ceased to make sense. Well that and sex, drugs and rock and roll. I’m 70 now. I’d most probably identify myself as an agnostic. I guess I’ll have to die to find out who got it right. I also believe that the Church is a Bureaucratic, Patriarchal, Hierarchical, Instrumentation that needs to be dismantled and rebuilt giving power to the laity and Women. I loved Conclave. All the nominations for the academy awards are richly deserved. My only criticism concerns the final twist and denouement. I believe the author, and screenwriter’s, hearts were in the right place. But I thought the denouement was a cheap trick as the narrative did not lead to it.
Thanks Mark Phillips. Dropped the Captain? I think the twist is crucial and very clever, as it brings the focus right down to that question: what exactly is it about women that the church objects to, in terms of ordination and opening the gates... but I can see that yes, it is also a stretch... I tend to like films that take big risks. They sometimes bring big rewards. I'll be dropping in on some of the Oscar nominees as I catch them. I don't review as a profession any more - more for my own amusement if I see something that triggers an urge to write - by which I mean, to figure out what I feel about a movie... thanks for reading and commenting.
I accept that is a valid interpretation of the denouement. But I feel it was a cheap trick. I would have preferred if that reveal had been before the final vote and the Cardinal had to make the decision to accept the information prior to the final vote as part of his struggle of faith.
I enjoyed a great deal about the film, and it was well acted and beautifully shot. It's a liberal dream story, but that's not against the law. What irked me was that it was made as if (perhaps actually) by people who have no grasp of what faith actually is, and there were several lines, especially from Cardinal Benitez, which no even vaguely orthodox Catholic could ever entertain. And the characterisation of Cardinal Tedesco was incredibly lazy and thin.
I’ve missed your Herald reviews and am delighted you’re on Substack. I saw Conclave last October at the Italian Film Festival and loved it. Well acted, beautiful cinematography and best of all, a fabulous story and script. At last a movie for grown ups, that doesn’t depend on CGI or super heroes for impact. And without ghastly, graphic violence. It deserves many accolades.
Given the contemporary dilemmas surrounding the legitimacy and efficacy of all the institutions that, one way or the other, rule or shape our lives, this is a brilliant essay in the tortuous performance of one of the biggest and most resilient. The significance of the essay’s sharp critique should not be lost on floundering institutions well beyond the Holy Roman and Apostolic Church. Great review, as ever☺️👍
Film sounds a visual treat, amongst many things, and I shall endeavour to see it this week now I've read this review. I have read the original Harris novel though. I thought the denouement bordered on the farcical and spoiled an otherwise excellent book.
Ahem, *cough, just playing devil's advocate here, is there actually any spirituality present in the process with these men vying for the top job? I mean, isn’t it a big part of the job description? Y’know, like its the CEO of a religion after all.
I confess a slight bias against blokes in fancy robes mumbling some hocus hocus and expecting their audience to believe that a bread IS THE ACTUAL BODY of a dude who lived over 2.000 years ago and wanted people to EAT his body. (oh and drink his blood too)
Thought experiment: if transubstantiation didn't exist previously and you were to start a cult that had it as its core belief they'd probably take you away and you'd end up heavily sedated.
I will actually watch the movie though, your review makes it sound quite nuanced.
Baz - always better to read my stuff after seeing the film, as I may discuss stuff you don’t want to know. I don’t have the newspaper rules on me now, so I’m not trying to provide consumer advice. Although I still think twice about revealing too much…old habits, as they say in the Vatican… to your point, spirituality is in the eye of the beholder. Or beholden.
Conclave wasn't actually on my 'must see' list so I had a wee peek at your review - and was actually drawn in - life is short and dramas on the Vatican hierarchy wouldn't normally be my thing.
This movie is best watched without knowing anything about it! I came in expecting to be bored. As a Catholic, I'm somewhat familiar with everything here but I was delightfully surprised how much I don't know. The film was a sumptuous feast in deep reds, silence, and orchestrated suspense. I did not expect it to be thrilling and thoughtful.
I have never approached films about the Church from the framework of faith; this film is after all a commentary about a human institution, subject to all our frailties. I agree. But human frailties is no reason to completely dismantle a bedrock of faith, change perhaps. The very same questions among the members were discussed in the film confound its lay members as I can assure you: do we return to the Latin mass (I enjoy it actually) or keep going with progressive changes, how much changes should we adopt? I do vehemently wish all sexual predators are persecuted and ejected from the church and why they weren't remains a clear injustice. Anyway, these are the ramblings from one of its members.
I watched this film win best picture in the sag awards. It was a surprise as I thought the other competitors like Emilia Perez, Brutalist, or Anora would have won it. Anyone can win at this point, apparently. Even a quiet sweeping film such as this.
I went to see this movie with my husband. We found it riveting from the start. The twist at the end was incredible, we didn’t see that coming! Not only was it great story but cinematically it was a visual feast. Our idea of a really good movie is one that generates discussion after. We spoke about this movie for days after exploring all manner of themes. It is truly deserving of all the nominations. Looking forward to your film reviews.
A bit of context first was raised a devout Catholic in my youth. Drifted away in my twenties partly because I was reading in multi faith mystic traditions and the idea of a jolly fat white man with a white beard ceased to make sense. Well that and sex, drugs and rock and roll. I’m 70 now. I’d most probably identify myself as an agnostic. I guess I’ll have to die to find out who got it right. I also believe that the Church is a Bureaucratic, Patriarchal, Hierarchical, Instrumentation that needs to be dismantled and rebuilt giving power to the laity and Women. I loved Conclave. All the nominations for the academy awards are richly deserved. My only criticism concerns the final twist and denouement. I believe the author, and screenwriter’s, hearts were in the right place. But I thought the denouement was a cheap trick as the narrative did not lead to it.
Thanks Mark Phillips. Dropped the Captain? I think the twist is crucial and very clever, as it brings the focus right down to that question: what exactly is it about women that the church objects to, in terms of ordination and opening the gates... but I can see that yes, it is also a stretch... I tend to like films that take big risks. They sometimes bring big rewards. I'll be dropping in on some of the Oscar nominees as I catch them. I don't review as a profession any more - more for my own amusement if I see something that triggers an urge to write - by which I mean, to figure out what I feel about a movie... thanks for reading and commenting.
I accept that is a valid interpretation of the denouement. But I feel it was a cheap trick. I would have preferred if that reveal had been before the final vote and the Cardinal had to make the decision to accept the information prior to the final vote as part of his struggle of faith.
I enjoyed a great deal about the film, and it was well acted and beautifully shot. It's a liberal dream story, but that's not against the law. What irked me was that it was made as if (perhaps actually) by people who have no grasp of what faith actually is, and there were several lines, especially from Cardinal Benitez, which no even vaguely orthodox Catholic could ever entertain. And the characterisation of Cardinal Tedesco was incredibly lazy and thin.
Yes, I know what you mean - there were moments that stretched credibility. Thanks for your comments.
I’ve missed your Herald reviews and am delighted you’re on Substack. I saw Conclave last October at the Italian Film Festival and loved it. Well acted, beautiful cinematography and best of all, a fabulous story and script. At last a movie for grown ups, that doesn’t depend on CGI or super heroes for impact. And without ghastly, graphic violence. It deserves many accolades.
Thankyou Maria, nice to have you on board. I look forward to reading your stack too.
Given the contemporary dilemmas surrounding the legitimacy and efficacy of all the institutions that, one way or the other, rule or shape our lives, this is a brilliant essay in the tortuous performance of one of the biggest and most resilient. The significance of the essay’s sharp critique should not be lost on floundering institutions well beyond the Holy Roman and Apostolic Church. Great review, as ever☺️👍
Loved this beautifully written and entertaining review… I will see the movie now as a result
Good onya Melanie. You were always a discerning and fair reader... as well as my sister. XX
Film sounds a visual treat, amongst many things, and I shall endeavour to see it this week now I've read this review. I have read the original Harris novel though. I thought the denouement bordered on the farcical and spoiled an otherwise excellent book.
Thanks Beau. Offense is the easiest gift these days.