The movie "Conclave" is a brilliant thriller/drama about the secret election of a new pope after the sudden death of the current one.
The movie, based on Robert Harris's book, is skillfully directed by Edward Berger, who stays true to the original story. With great work in set design, costumes, and editing, Berger creates a dark, tense, and closed-off atmosphere that perfectly represents the Vatican during the election of a new pope. This setting helps tell a story filled with secrets, power struggles, conspiracies, and rumors among the cardinals, all taking place in a high-stakes, secretive world.
The movie grabs our attention, largely thanks to Ralph Fiennes' Oscar-caliber performance as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence. He drives the movie with fierce emotion, starting from the opening scene where tears roll down his face as he stands before the dead Pope, to the final of the movie, where his face shows the clear distress of indecision and uncertainty while sitting on the bench. This is definitely one of his best performances, even compared to his roles in "The English Patient" and/or "Quiz Show".
However, Conclave has its flaws. The sense of mystery is sometimes overdone, there is no clear reason why sister Agnes appears so overly secretive. Also, the movie repeatedly gives explanations for why a cardinal couldn't be a candidate, only after each election has finished - including the final one.
Overall, Conclave is an engaging and thought-provoking movie that explores the role of religion, the clash between conservative and progressive values, the roles of men and women, and the concept of leadership within the Catholic Church.
If you prefer movies with a clear, wrapped-up ending that leaves no room for interpretation or thinking, then this movie may not be for you.
The movie, based on Robert Harris's book, is skillfully directed by Edward Berger, who stays true to the original story. With great work in set design, costumes, and editing, Berger creates a dark, tense, and closed-off atmosphere that perfectly represents the Vatican during the election of a new pope. This setting helps tell a story filled with secrets, power struggles, conspiracies, and rumors among the cardinals, all taking place in a high-stakes, secretive world.
The movie grabs our attention, largely thanks to Ralph Fiennes' Oscar-caliber performance as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence. He drives the movie with fierce emotion, starting from the opening scene where tears roll down his face as he stands before the dead Pope, to the final of the movie, where his face shows the clear distress of indecision and uncertainty while sitting on the bench. This is definitely one of his best performances, even compared to his roles in "The English Patient" and/or "Quiz Show".
However, Conclave has its flaws. The sense of mystery is sometimes overdone, there is no clear reason why sister Agnes appears so overly secretive. Also, the movie repeatedly gives explanations for why a cardinal couldn't be a candidate, only after each election has finished - including the final one.
Overall, Conclave is an engaging and thought-provoking movie that explores the role of religion, the clash between conservative and progressive values, the roles of men and women, and the concept of leadership within the Catholic Church.
If you prefer movies with a clear, wrapped-up ending that leaves no room for interpretation or thinking, then this movie may not be for you.