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[Spoilers ahead!]
I saw Conclave a few weeks ago and have been thinking about writing about it ever since … that’s how great of a movie it was! I have seen many other movies that I will be writing about, but Conclave was unique in its story and perspectives and that is why I am excited to discuss it.
To lay the foundation for us, Conclave is about the election process that happens when a new Pope is elected. With the world’s eyes on heads of the church from around the world, they must decide on who will lead the Catholic Church, its followers, and be the face of the religion.
Knowing that this movie talks about religion, specifically the Catholic Church, I’ll give you background on my relationship with religion. However, despite your views on religion I’ll explain why I think anyone could enjoy this movie.
I was born into a Catholic family with parents who were married in the same church that I attended with my mother on Sundays. I was baptized and did my First Communion alongside my cousin and then later I was the only one of my cousins to do my Confirmation. I have strong religious beliefs, but that is because I practice Catholicism my way. Everyone in my family follows the same religion, but I understand that I am able to take from it what I need and not what they are telling me to take from it. The bible teaches us God’s words and work and while the church helps to guide us, I am the one who chooses what I pray for and how I pray and the relationship that I want with the religion.
I have always been lucky to attend churches that have upheld a welcoming nature. However, when looking for a church in Los Angeles, I was comfortable shopping around. I looked up various Catholic Churches in the area until I had one that had priests who I enjoyed listening to and a community that I could see myself in. Not all churches are the same and not all ways of practicing are the same.
Religion can hold trauma for many individuals, so I am here to say that there is no absolute to your own personal relationship and experience with any denomination. If anyone tries to tell you otherwise, well that’s on their own conscience.
Now back to the theatre! I wanted to see the movie because I was intrigued on how the story would be positioned given current feelings towards the church and I was shocked by the all-star cast, composed of Stanley Tucci, Ralph Finneas, and Isabella Rossellini. To my surprise, the theatre was nearly packed for a mid-week showing.
The film depicts Finneas (playing the character Lawrence) in charge of leading the conclave of Cardinals to vote for the new Pope after the sudden death of the man currently sitting in the role. Cardinals flood into the Vatican City from around the world and bring with them their own perspectives of the next pathway of the church. We see as some Cardinals are pushing for further inclusion and other Cardinals who see non-believers and those of other religions as enemies of the church.
As is in our nature, we see as some men want the role for vain reasons and some sabotage other potential leaders. In the pursuit of ensuring the right pick, we see Lawrence dig into the secrets of the other Cardinals. In the end, the elected Pope (Benitez played by Carlos Diehz) is a man who many of them did not know existed before the election. This is because of the dangerous nature of Benitez serving the Catholic Church as the Archbishop in Kabul. As someone who has lived and fled war torn countries, he urges the other Cardinals to use the church and religion as a way forward and to bring people together (he’d have my vote too for that!).
The twists and turns of the characters seemed endless as their lives were revealed and this is what made the film for anyone. In the theatre there were old and young people alike who were fully enthralled in the tug-and-pull of each of the potential candidates. If you are interested in history, the detailed and thorough process that the conclave must follow would also interest you.
However, the movie is for everyone because it breaks down the idea that religious leaders are perfect. We see as they deceive, conspire, and campaign a seemingly holy process. No one is perfect and as humans we all have our flaws and those men who try to display themselves without any are the ones who are flawed the most. Despite this, good prevails and we find our way to men like Benitez. He understands the nature of others but still guides in a compassionate and introspective way. Even if it is in our nature to be like the other Cardinals, we can all be like Benitez and move with understanding and love for others.
The film was thought-provoking and relevant against current times with phenomenal performances all around.
Plotline aside, it was beautifully shot and I believe it will have a strong run during award season. It has survived a long run in theatres and I imagine that around the Oscars many theatres will bring it back to allow audiences to see it in person if they missed it the first time. I recommend seeing it in person because many of the quick witted conversations and feisty moments are better shared with others. The theatre I watched it in sounded like a comedy the way people were engaged in the drama and that added to the entertainment.
On a final note, whoever included Dog Man as a preview before Conclave needs to count their days! The two older women next to me were so confused they had to turn to me to ensure they were at the right theatre.
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