Conclave

[MikoTython]

Slightly implied spoilers below...

West Wing Meets Th' Vatican.

And Yet, I could watch Ralph Fiennes & Isabella Rosselini in anything, including this (what did you expect) contrived conclave yarn, and enjoy them. Entertaining, but reeking of wish-fullfillment from the Hollywood crowd. Complete with a MAGA-certified papal wanna-be, surprise surprise surprise, all topped by a surprise ending.

On a tangential historical note, I've recently been apprised that John Paul I (the one who died 10 minutes after the white smoke cleared), may have been poisoned, or otherwise hastened onto his heavenly reward, somehow connected w/ the Vatican Bank scandal - if you go in for that sort of thing, like this movie sort of does.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John ... y_theories

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banco_Ambrosiano

[MikoTython]

Let me add, despite the cynical foregoing, this is a pretty fun movie to watch, if you are drawn to the spectacle and intrigue of the RC Church, etc., culture-war elections. A well done pot-boiler.

[MikoTython]

What they didn't realize is that this story has already been told :

Disclaimer: The video above is hosted on Youtube, and has not be reviewed by the staff of the Post-Dispatch.

[Pink Freud]

Finally saw "Conclave" today, and really liked it.

I deliberately held off reading any reviews until seeing the film, so the surprises stayed intact. But, look at that cast: Ralph Fiennes; John Lithgow; Stanley Tucci; Isabella Rosellini. And the eye-popping Vatican sets, WOW: The Sistine Chapel and other parts of the Vatican were reconstructed at Cinecitta Studios, brought to life by cinematographer Stephane Fontaine and production designer Suzie Davies.

Keep in mind how the contemporary Roman Catholic Church (oxymoron?) feels about women in the clergy; priestly vows of celibacy; encroaching Muslim caliphates; (ahem) "problem priests" (hello, Kenrick Seminary); abortion; divorce; and LGBTQ matters, and I think you'll find it richly rewarding.

Nell Minow at rogerebert.com wrote: "The chance to peek into the arcane details of the process is fascinating. Still, it is the universal humanity, the ambition, the manipulation, the grand visions, the pettiness, the disagreements about faith vs. doubt, progress vs. tradition, "we" vs. "they" that resonate most deeply." In other words, just like the American elections.

"Conclave" --- the title refers to the locked doors in the Sistine Chapel which will not be opened until the cloistered College of Cardinals decides on a successor to the deceased pope --- is a very slow burn, very patient, very quiet, with not one word wasted. Definitely one that AARP Magazine would laud as "Movies for Grownups".

[edwin drood]

Finally saw "Conclave" today, and really liked it.

I deliberately held off reading any reviews until seeing the film, so the surprises stayed intact. But, look at that cast: Ralph Fiennes; John Lithgow; Stanley Tucci; Isabella Rosellini. And the eye-popping Vatican sets, WOW: The Sistine Chapel and other parts of the Vatican were reconstructed at Cinecitta Studios, brought to life by cinematographer Stephane Fontaine and production designer Suzie Davies.

Keep in mind how the contemporary Roman Catholic Church (oxymoron?) feels about women in the clergy; priestly vows of celibacy; encroaching Muslim caliphates; (ahem) "problem priests" (hello, Kenrick Seminary); abortion; divorce; and LGBTQ matters, and I think you'll find it richly rewarding.

Nell Minow at rogerebert.com wrote: "The chance to peek into the arcane details of the process is fascinating. Still, it is the universal humanity, the ambition, the manipulation, the grand visions, the pettiness, the disagreements about faith vs. doubt, progress vs. tradition, "we" vs. "they" that resonate most deeply." In other words, just like the American elections.

"Conclave" --- the title refers to the locked doors in the Sistine Chapel which will not be opened until the cloistered College of Cardinals decides on a successor to the deceased pope --- is a very slow burn, very patient, very quiet, with not one word wasted. Definitely one that AARP Magazine would laud as "Movies for Grownups".

Yea, but...
Do any of the Cardinals have superpowers, like, can they fly or stop bullets with their hands? Can any breathe under water or withstand intense radiation with no effects? If not, I'm not interested.

[Pink Freud]

Yea, but...
Do any of the Cardinals have superpowers, like, can they fly or stop bullets with their hands? Can any breathe under water or withstand intense radiation with no effects? If not, I'm not interested.

Good one ED! Thank you, Typical Hollywood Moviegoer!

Because the movie is so quiet and is so lean and concise, every word matters. Just another reason I wish that couple a few rows in front of us hadn't snuck in the cellophane snack bag , rolling and unrolling it 15 or 20 times.

[MikoTython]

Infallibility is nothing to sneeze at. Though given the choice, I'd prefer being able to fly.