In the year when the great blockbusters They dominated much of the cinematic offering. Conclave This seems like a risky bet. Ultimately, director Edward Berger’s film ponders religion, faith and politics from a complex premise. In the plot, based on the book of the same name by Robert Harris, the death of the Pope (Bruno Novelli) opens the need for a new election of the Catholic Patriarch. And this means not only starting the protocol mechanism with centuries antiquity, but a whole war of interests and dogmatic positions.
The film explores how religious faith is more than just a moral or ethical position. Ultimately, this directly links it to the desire for political influence, dialectical manipulation, and even simple discrimination. The Conclave is not content with the church and its members. Instead, it is a careful meditation on the weight of faith turned into a tool of manipulation in the modern world. What Peter Straughan’s script allows ponder several pressing questions at the same time.
To prove it, we leave you with three reasons to watch Conclavea definite awards season favorite. From the extraordinary cast embodying complex characters to a perspective on religion rarely seen in film. A real spectacle for fans of suspense films, as well as an almost cynical look at the influence of faith today.
Complex and unusual protagonist
IN ConclaveThe acting Pope dies, leaving Cardinal Dean Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) with the responsibility of choosing his successor. And not only that. It is also necessary to ensure that the long process of finding a new Vicar of Jesus Christ in the world is carried out step by step. All of the above requires complete dedication from the clergyman, unshakable faith, as well as unquestioning obedience.
Something that puts Thomas in a difficult dilemma. A member of the Vatican Curia experiences a crisis of faith that forces him to question everything he has believed so far. Moreover, he is the least qualified person to lead a tradition that will test his will to serve God. And even how he understands the church as an institution.
So Thomas is torn between two different fronts. On the one hand, resign and abandon everything that was happening – which he was going to do before the death of the Pope – or blindly fulfill his duty. The above gives the character a series of nuances and moral gradations that become increasingly dense and difficult to perceive as the College of Cardinals debates the new Pontiff. An entire script that gives Ralph Fiennes, known for playing hard-to-understand characters, the opportunity to delve deeper into Thomas’s dilemmas. Much greater is his melancholy, one must be loyal and, ultimately, abandon vanity for the sake of a controversial greater good.
Extraordinary cast for Conclave
To fulfill the mandate of choosing the next leader of the Catholic Church, Thomas must face manipulation, dialectical tricks, and even favoritism from the various candidates for the position. And all this with a certain political and ideological program that needs to be fought for. Moreover, the plot involves the death of the Pope. This has more or less the same effect as the death of a political movement.
So Cardinal Aldo Bellino (the incredible Stanley Tucci) will try to get votes for his liberal view. Moreover, it represents American interests. Which forces him to use all his abilities to surprise and manipulate potential voters in his favor. This is because it neutralizes candidates with greater management or other cardinals with the right to choose who have not yet decided what their choice will be.
All of the above will lead him to confront Cardinal Joseph Tremblay (John Lithgow), who, although he supports innovative ideas, retains his opinion on the most controversial issues of possible church reform. At the same time, Cardinal Joshua Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati) is a traditionalist with good opportunities and great popularity. And finally Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto) with strong and conservative ideas, who insists that it is his duty to save the Church from the modern world. Rounding out the cast is Isabella Rossellini as Sister Agnes. in an unusual role that shows the limited representation of women in the church.
Rare view of the Vatican
Conclave shows what goes on inside the Vatican from a rare perspective. Beyond the impressive artistic heritage that the world’s smallest country has to offer, there is the undeniable influence of the institution it represents. The film pays tribute to this idea with visuals that capture the essence of an important territory as a political enclave. And this despite the fact that they did not have access to many historical buildings.
From what was recreated in the studios Cinecitta several Vatican rooms, as well as bedrooms and interior spaces. The production also includes a large-scale reproduction of the Sistine Chapel. where its thrilling and difficult finale takes place.
Source: Hiper Textual
