Conclave is the kind of movie you need to watch at the right time. If you wait a year or two, you won’t be interested anymore. It’s like Barbie. If you wanted to watch it but I put it off, the urge is probably gone by now.
In fact, Concave is probably more time sensitive than most movies. Pope Francis died on April 21st, and the conclave (the gathering of cardinals who will elect a new pope) begins on May 7th. Unlike our long-drawn-out elections for a US president, a new pope can be chosen in a matter of days. Pope Francis was chosen in only two days.
Before I get into a review, let me just say how much I loved and respected Pope Francis. Catholics like me and many others are going to miss this intelligent, well-educated man of peace whose humility and love reached out to the whole world.
As for the movie, I consider it worth watching. As far as I can tell, it was a fair depiction of the process of electing a new pope. And, at two hours, it’s just the right length for watching at dinnertime two nights in a row. The film shows the cardinals praying for guidance but also engaging in politics. How else do you run an election?
There were disagreements, surprises, and a bit of a scandal or two. When an outspoken Italian cardinal lobbied for going back to using Latin for all church services, you knew he was the conservative.
Conclave doesn’t have car chases or gun battles, but I suppose that’s unavoidable in a story about a bunch of old men making a decision. Even without the action scenes, it kept my attention.
I did have one complaint: the music, especially in the opening scene. It seemed to promise something sinister that never happened.
Why the real conclave matters: There are 1.4 billion Catholics in the world, and the average length of a papacy is 7.5 years.
I’ve been thinking about the movie Conclave that I never saw and wondered if I should. The timeliness of it is interesting. I do have my eye on Rome to see who will be named. I’m not RC but it would be foolish to not learn about who’ll be in charge next. Religion and politics are closely intertwined.
It was a surprise to have a cardinal from Chicago elected pope. I’m really happy with the choice. He cares about peace, refugees, and the poor. He speaks five languages and reads two more, and by all accounts, he gets alone well with people. And the election only took two days. Not bad.
I read the book just before we lost the Pope but, being brought up a catholic, I knew about the procedure, so it was just the political shenanigans – and they were very good value. There’s no doubting that reading it had added something to the current situation, and the cast of the film is good enough that I’d be seeking it out anyway.
I find the use of music of add atmosphere is a very over-used tool – indeed, I find it annoying a lot of the time. If the storyline and acting aren’t good enough, you’re in trouble if all you’ve got is music…
I have to admit that I love movie music. But I think that if it’s well composed, it doesn’t stick out because it fits the mood and the story perfectly. I agree, though, that sometimes they use the music for suspense or another emotion that you wouldn’t have felt without the music. In the case of Conclave, I had the feeling that the composer hadn’t read the script or he was imagining something like the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown.
I agree completely Nicki! I think this depiction was respectful and forward thinking! I believe the Holy Spirit is very real in choosing the Pope through men. Pope Francis was a Spirit-filled man of God! I was left feeling real Hope for our Catholic Church
Whoever the cardinals choose, I believe they will do their best to do what is in the interest of the whole church. They’re only human, but this method of choosing a new pope is a good one, especially considering all their prayers for guidance from the Holy Spirit.
LOL over the Barbie comparison. Wise words.
I did want to watch Barbie, especially after watching “Ken’s” adorable song, but I didn’t get around to it, and now I’ve lost interest.
What is the movie’s time period? Is it set in the past, the present, or the future?
Since we watch movies exclusively on DVD’s borrowed from the library, I’ll have to follow the actual conclave now and watch the movie somewhere down the road. Glad you enjoyed it.
Pope Francis seemed a good choice as the most recent pope. Let’s hope the Cardinals pick another decent chap.
I think the movie is set in the present. I don’t watch many movies. It’s hard to choose a good one. When you go out to a movie and have a snack afterwards and talk about it, the whole experience seems more weighty. I haven’t done that much for a while.
Fingers crossed that the cardinals will make a good choice (and one I agree with).
This is the perfect time to see it! It’s on my list.
Good. I hope you’ll enjoy it.
As someone who lived in Rome, I loved it!!
A beautiful city, and you had the leisure to have a good look at it.
I have the same feeling about the music.
Maybe the composer didn’t read the script.
I haven’t seen it, but I thought the timing of this movie was amazing! The process of choosing the next pope is certainly fascinating!!
The process has a few quirky aspects, but when you think about it, it’s perfectly logical. People who know something about what’s needed in a new pope, gather, and take time to learn more about the candidates. And then they vote until someone gets two-thirds of the votes.