Good call on that alternate, perfect ending. I would have loved that.
I'm also with you on the intersex twist being somewhat oddly shoved in. Also poorly thought out in certain ways, as there was an (unintentional, I think) anti-trans message with stating one should "stay as God created" you and refuse any operation.
Thanks Dave. I went back and stopped the movie at that scene and it was perfect. I got my ending!
I think you’re right with Benitez. It’s a weird mixed message of “I want to be as God created me” but then coupled with an intersex individual where there could have been opportunities to dig a bit deeper on the subject if it was to be apart of the storyline in the way the story demands. Just felt like a strange afterthought…
I loved that Conclave made me "007-level excited" about a gaggle of mostly white middle-aged guys hanging out in stunning dresses in a big locked closet until they reached a consensus about who would be the least jerky to lead them all... Stanley Tucci *did* seem like the weird relative. How did he get invited?
This is an excellent way of framing the film. They (exception of the weird cousin who shows up that no one invited called Tucci) totally made us fall for their intrigues and get invested in their succession story. Who doesn’t love a good succession story?thx for making me laugh this morning.
Amazing review as always! I'm never a huge fan of using gender identity or sexual orientation as a plot twist. It rarely has the intended impact and usually feels off. I usually stay away from media about the catholic church mostly because I find it either boring or enraging but I'm slightly curious about Conclave now.
It seems like dramatic twists that leave you 😳😲😱🤯 are de rigueur. Just watched The Brutalist and same formula with the somewhat over the top climax moment which came earlier on in the movie. Anyways I’ll be curious to see what you think of this. Glad you enjoyed!
I thought it was way too on the nose and of this moment. It will date the movie. The Catholic Church is so rich historically and Conclave specifically. As an RH policy guy, I spent a lot of time working with Catholics for Choice.
You said everything I thought about the ending. Just a little too much. But the move was taken from the book written in 2016. Maybe the author was sort of prescient with what has happened with our politics?
Just saw this movie a few days ago and agree with a lot of what you wrote here (still figuring out all my thoughts for an upcoming post). I believe that the same way a bad movie can be saved by a fantastic ending Conclave goes from being alright to a headscratcher in the last act. Those parts of the movie I appreciated most were its discussions of tradition and what role the church should play in society going forward whether that be solidifying their role as a stalwart of tradition or if it should reorient itself to better match modern values. Your point about the ending reducing those compelling conversations to a binary choice perfectly reflect my frustration with the movie. Still, the movie as you wrote is well shot and Ralph Fiennes steals the show.
I look forward to reading your analysis as well on this one! It’s been sitting with me, as any good film does. Your last sentence sums up the overall positive sentiment of the film for me!
Good call on that alternate, perfect ending. I would have loved that.
I'm also with you on the intersex twist being somewhat oddly shoved in. Also poorly thought out in certain ways, as there was an (unintentional, I think) anti-trans message with stating one should "stay as God created" you and refuse any operation.
Thanks Dave. I went back and stopped the movie at that scene and it was perfect. I got my ending!
I think you’re right with Benitez. It’s a weird mixed message of “I want to be as God created me” but then coupled with an intersex individual where there could have been opportunities to dig a bit deeper on the subject if it was to be apart of the storyline in the way the story demands. Just felt like a strange afterthought…
I loved that Conclave made me "007-level excited" about a gaggle of mostly white middle-aged guys hanging out in stunning dresses in a big locked closet until they reached a consensus about who would be the least jerky to lead them all... Stanley Tucci *did* seem like the weird relative. How did he get invited?
This is an excellent way of framing the film. They (exception of the weird cousin who shows up that no one invited called Tucci) totally made us fall for their intrigues and get invested in their succession story. Who doesn’t love a good succession story?thx for making me laugh this morning.
Amazing review as always! I'm never a huge fan of using gender identity or sexual orientation as a plot twist. It rarely has the intended impact and usually feels off. I usually stay away from media about the catholic church mostly because I find it either boring or enraging but I'm slightly curious about Conclave now.
It seems like dramatic twists that leave you 😳😲😱🤯 are de rigueur. Just watched The Brutalist and same formula with the somewhat over the top climax moment which came earlier on in the movie. Anyways I’ll be curious to see what you think of this. Glad you enjoyed!
Ha! I already watched this! Nanny nanny boo boo!
So what did you think of the ending?
I thought it was way too on the nose and of this moment. It will date the movie. The Catholic Church is so rich historically and Conclave specifically. As an RH policy guy, I spent a lot of time working with Catholics for Choice.
Thank you for the shoutout.
You said everything I thought about the ending. Just a little too much. But the move was taken from the book written in 2016. Maybe the author was sort of prescient with what has happened with our politics?
Did you read the book? Same ending ?
No I didnt read the book. I like the author but had no interest in the topic.
You’re spot on with this review! We had the same discussions driving back from the theatre.
Just saw this movie a few days ago and agree with a lot of what you wrote here (still figuring out all my thoughts for an upcoming post). I believe that the same way a bad movie can be saved by a fantastic ending Conclave goes from being alright to a headscratcher in the last act. Those parts of the movie I appreciated most were its discussions of tradition and what role the church should play in society going forward whether that be solidifying their role as a stalwart of tradition or if it should reorient itself to better match modern values. Your point about the ending reducing those compelling conversations to a binary choice perfectly reflect my frustration with the movie. Still, the movie as you wrote is well shot and Ralph Fiennes steals the show.
I look forward to reading your analysis as well on this one! It’s been sitting with me, as any good film does. Your last sentence sums up the overall positive sentiment of the film for me!
This isn't my kind of movie, so I never plan to see it. But do you find out in the end who was elected? Just curious.
It is so solid. Many threads.
💯💯💯