Film Review: ‘Conclave’ Scandalous, Corrupt, Cutthroat and Inclusive

Lucian Msamati stars as Cardinal Adeyemi in director Edward Berger’s “Conclave” (Photo Credit: Focus Features).

1/2

(“Conclave” trailer courtesy of Focus Features)

The church often gets a bad rap, warranted or not.

Many believe that the church’s policies on certain social issues are not in tune with the times, while others believe many clergy members care more about their fame and fortune than their followers.

Despite all the scandal and corruption in some churches, there are those priests and pastors that are inclusive, loving and in the pulpit for the correct reasons, which is marvelously captured in the film, “Conclave.”

When a Catholic conclave takes place, it creates worldwide news and understandably so.

The conclave occurs when Catholic cardinals elect a new pope who will intercede between God and the millions of Catholics around the world.

Therefore, when the cardinals pick the next holy father, it becomes a monumental task.

Not only do the cardinals need to pick a pope that will adhere to the word of God and serve the people, but they must also select a leader who can navigate the controversial social issues of the day.

Furthermore, the new holy father will need to lead people through global extremism and terrorism, while remaining true to Christ’s teachings of meekness, love, forgiveness and humility.

But how do the cardinals pick someone who is sincere when some potential candidates might have hidden ulterior motives?

What about the cardinals who have skeletons in their closet?

And what about those who cannot tolerate other religious views and lifestyles in a world that is slowly losing faith in the Christian church?

After the current pope dies, that is something that the cardinals will have to wrestle with to keep the church moving forward.

And with the polarizing political climate, the cardinals need to make the correct decision and make it expeditiously so as not to appear divided and chaotic to a salivating press looking for sensationalism and schisms from the church.

In “Conclave,” Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes, “No Time to Die”) desperately wants to resign as dean of cardinals.

However, before the pope (Bruno Novelli) dies, he refuses to accept Lawrence’s resignation.

Therefore, he must fulfill his duties of overseeing the selection of the next pope despite his objections.

Bellini (Stanley Tucci, “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody”) has a liberal side to his theology, which many believe is needed in current times.

But he has no desire to become pope.

However, that is what many of the cardinals like about Bellini.

Several of the cardinals believe that someone who actively seeks to become the pope is not the type of selfless leader that the church needs.

Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati) is a cardinal from Africa.

While his ascension would be historic, Adeyemi has his own issues that might derail his candidacy.

In “Conclave,” Tremblay (John Lithgow, “Killers of the Flower Moon”) seems to be dedicated to the papacy.

He is with the dead pope during his last official meeting.

However, Tremblay is the subject of some crazy rumors that might not make him an ideal successor to the recently deceased pope.

Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto) is one of the most vocal cardinals.

But that is not necessarily always a positive.

Cardinal Tedesco wants the church to return to tradition like speaking Latin, electing Italian popes and adhering to a draconian version of religious rules.

In “Conclave,” he is openly against the liberal wing of the Catholic church and is not against expressing his displeasure with modern changes.

On the other hand, Benitez (Carlos Diehz) seems to represent the antithesis of everyone and everything at the conclave.

Benitez is calm.

He is quiet.

He is meek.

He is fearless when necessary.

And he is welcoming and understanding.

But none of the other cardinals have ever met Benitez.

Is he legit?

Should he even be present at such a sacred event?

Therefore, even if he possesses some of the necessary traits for a good pope, no one truly knows him, which might disqualify him for the position.

Regardless, he sees potential in another cardinal when it comes to becoming the newest pope.

While “Conclave” has some predictability, the predictability immediately becomes unpredictable when the grits hit the pan towards the end of the film.

However, that unpredictability provides a message that people inside and outside the church need to hear pertaining to tolerance, acceptance and love.

The church often grapples with adhering to God’s word while not condemning those who fall short.

Filmmaker Edward Berger gives a template on how to accomplish a seemingly impossible task in “Conclave.”

Berger also does a magnificent job in humanizing the clergy in “Conclave.”

Some clergy do a better job of reaching sinners when they can admit to their own sins.

“Conclave” shows that clergy too struggle with sin.

But true clergy use their imperfections to try to perfectly reach the parishioners, while simultaneously trying to bend their behavior towards God’s perfect plan for man.

“Conclave” does contain some dull moments when the cardinals go through the mundane of reality of planning for the election.

However, when the eruption occurs, it creates a gigantic bang, literally and figuratively.

Although “Conclave” boasts of some of the biggest thespians in Hollywood, it is an actor with possibly the shortest resume that has the biggest impact on the film and its overall message.

That message is not ignoring differing opinions.

But accepting people where they are to get them where Christ ultimately wants them to be.

 

REGAL RATINGS

FOUR CROWNS=EXCELLENT

THREE CROWNS=GOOD

TWO CROWNS=AVERAGE

ONE CROWN=POOR

Todd A. Smith
Follow Todd
Latest posts by Todd A. Smith (see all)

    Related Posts

    Scroll to Top