Conclave - Review

[@brianmichaels8093]

The older-adult-heavy crowd actually made for an awful theater experience for me. Forget teenagers, old people are far worse at constantly talking during movies like they are sitting in their living rooms.

[@DanMurrellMovies]

My favorite story about this: Back in 2003, I was watching Open Water in front of an older couple. Near the end of the movie, during a really quiet and intense scene, the lady leans over to husband and whisper-shouts "I think Jaws is better."

[@brianmichaels8093]

@DanMurrellMovies I *WISH* all the people in my theater at least whisper-shouted. They just talked full volume.

[@amberpackard9242]

I had a similar problem. The lady next to me didn’t turn her phone off

[@HelloMisterJAMWAH]

I think the difference is that they're more likely to actually stop talking if you shush them. Teenagers just laugh at best, begin targeted harrassment at worst.

[@brianmichaels8093]

@HelloMisterJAMWAH oh they did not. Just glared at me like "what's the problem?"

[@jackson857]

I don't think the last 10-15 minutes diminishes the story at all but rather reveals a plot thread that was happening the entire time that you just didn't realise was there.

[@akirkpatrick1987]

Agreed. My mind raced back to Isabella’s line about the nuns not normally being noticed.

[@tristengardner6487]

Agreed!

[@markpalermo1000]

Yeah. One of the main themes of the movie is the institution of the Catholic Church struggling with relevancy in changing times. It is absolutely a parallel to our current culture wars, and is about acceptance and faith.

[@kristianrodriguez4676]

@@markpalermo1000More like the ending reveals that the Catholic Church is false, and Lawrence doubts we’re right. The church has infallibly taught that women can’t be ordained deacon, priests, or bishops. If a female, even one that presented outwardly as a male became pope then their title wouldn’t be valid and the throne is vacant.

[@phillayden9462]

@@markpalermo1000 it’s very interesting to me that you feel it’s legitimate to make a point about acceptance and faith by diminishing and disparaging another. I can only assume you know nothing about Catholicism other than derogatory stereotypes perpetuated by the media and nothing on the doctrine of interfaith dialogue and the necessity of ecumenism. This novel/movie had the potential to be great but descended into self aggrandising sanctimonious nonsense, using the Catholic faith to elevate its own pretentious woke ideologies.

[@Cassie00111]

I loved this movie. I appreciated the opportunity to see a well acted movie with no green screen stuff, no animation, no car crashes, no computer generated stuff... just good old fashioned acting.

[@timothymercer849]

Absolutely! Great acting...great movie!

[@loudenlaffnite246]

"no car crashes" -- the ending is a complete fucking car crash.

[@dppellegrini]

Has anyone else noted how many movies guns play a role in??? Almost all…..

[@ineophobe]

​@@loudenlaffnite246how?

[@JT1284-A]

Yes Cassie and good old fashioned Catholic bashing.

[@lllivivien56]

The acting was overall so good from all the characters. Ralph killed it as usual

[@stevenh7755]

The final twist serves to highlight (and personify) the valuable uncertainty referenced in Lawrence’s speech about faith. Living in that dichotomy, in that duality, doesn’t get more uncertain than that! That’s real faith! Thanks for another great review Dan! My wife and I loved the film. Our theater room was also 80% older audience and it was an awful experience. No sense of volume, someone was filing their nails, and someone else crocheting, but at least that’s silent! Lol

[@yvonneplant9434]

Where I saw it in Philadelphia, people were well behaved.

[@bluesdjben]

It took me longer than I'd hoped, but I finally got around to seeing this in theaters. My audience in Glendale, CA, responded to the surprise at the end with quite a few laughs of knowing schadenfreude at the revelation that the cardinals had gotten more than they bargained for. My initial interpretation is that the previous two front-runners had secrets which were the undoing of their candidacy because they had tried to hide disqualifying flaws in their character and behavior, while the eventual winner also had a secret that could have been his undoing but was not disqualifying because it was related to a condition of his birth that had nothing to do with his character and ability to be a good person.

[@caseclosed9342]

Well, yeah the ending was unexpected. But what do you expect when Voldemort was presiding over the conclave and Lord Farquad was running for pope while Sister Agnes was singing Blue Velvet?

[@nancywaters253]

This is legit one of the best comments ever. I doff my hat!

[@gwenUTUBE]

Voldemort/SS officer Amon Göth 😮😅

[@Achill101]

LOL

[@claudiogallucci563]

Shout out to David Lynch Blue velvet ❤❤

[@friendlypup5650]

Message unclear, I am now thinking Ralph Fiennes was abducted by aliens in Conclave

[@_JellyWalker]

How amazing would it be if the serious adult drama about a the election of a new Pope ended with the newly elected Pope being shown a UFO in the Vatican vault. Cut to his silent reaction, then credits. I'd love it. 😆

[@DanMurrellMovies]

"Your Holiness, you've just taken your first step into a larger world."

[@intense79nick]

​@@DanMurrellMovies cue marvel trailer brrrrrruuu sound.

[@ddavidjeremy]

God, I hope so.

[@jupiterjones3789]

I would rather assume Jesus, the father, the holy Ghost or a figure of another religion step in (or equivalent, lots of liberty here) Other possibility would be an action finale, like an explosion

[@guillermogerban5797]

Actually I felt the ending is what made it better. There were several clues in the movie, especially in reference to the surprise. Remember the line we don’t talk about women. Men have flaws, that there is no perfect man. The idea is that men are plagued by sex (adeyami), fear of what’s different (tedussco) , arrogance (tucci’s character) and the quest for power (John lithgow’s character). The question becomes could any man be worthy of being pope, even Lawrence who fought with himself in not influencing the conclave yet was doing that very thing with investigating. The ending answers that question. The movie would not made any sense otherwise and would have been quite hypocritical. But understand how many would feel that the movie was just filling a checkbox of criteria to the current times

[@dannygillespie6614]

That ending is in the book, which is from 2016 I think. Which is pretty impressive, I think.

[@punxsydawn]

Great - more girl power porn. And that's coming from a girl who's tired of the trend.

[@vickybruh7412]

I understand why people are upset by it. Considering on how they were probably raised. But I just liked it, because it made me feel like an adult. It pushed some heavy hitting themes about real life. And it really, REALLY, makes you think about the movie way after it's done.

[@thewebdiva5903]

No reviewer mentions the status of women in the church and how it relates to the ending. Inspirational for American women after the recent election.

[@DIAbycmgm]

a great take!

[@ellicel]

I can't believe Tucci only has one nomination. That's criminal! He's such a solid character actor, often understated in the moment, but memorable in the long term. He's one of those rare performers that makes the rest of the cast look good because he's a wonderful scene partner.

[@Molson-xg9hs]

Always a treat to see him show up in things…shocked he didn’t get a supporting nomination for Devil Wears Prada or Julie and Julia. Big Night is also one that I think is getting a little lost in time now that deserved more love

[@VEM0905]

YES!

[@karend169]

He recently said that it was hard to get a job, after he did Devil Wears Prada.

[@nleroux51]

I thought Tucci’s character was profound and convincing. He has that voice that makes you pay attention. I had a harder time with the ending. I felt like I wanted more regarding the subject, and how those conservative cardinals were going to deal this subject, yet I realize it was confidential and the decision was made!

[@JoeJoeJoe25]

That ending was perfect, it's aligned with Cardinal Lawrence speech and theme about uncertainty. It's like the perfect conclusion that could've been in regards of sins, and devine intervention

[@AndrewLaSane]

Saw this movie yesterday and it’s my new frontrunner for Best Picture. Also I get your point about the “twist,” but for me it definitely fits with previous discussions about the direction the church is going and where a lot of the cardinals absolutely don’t want to see it going. I desperately wanted to see what happens next because…the world would have reactions for sure

[@thewebdiva5903]

Not surprised that reviewers didn’t notice the power imbalance between the men and the silent, overlooked women. Rossellini’s speech impacted the plot but should also have communicated the unfair position of powerful women in the church. Another thing not mentioned was the side eye given to the African cardinal in two different scenes.

[@EJpads]

What's your top 5?

[@TylerG13]

Conclave, Anora, Brutalist, Gladiator, Nosferatu, and more. We got a wild last couple months coming up for films!

[@legochickenguy4938]

Nosferatu is gonna bang so fucking hard I can’t wait

[@moondoggy02116]

Hard to believe we recently had an industry strike and work stoppage.

[@blackswan4486]

Bonhoeffer too

[@marietailor3100]

So as a Catholic, I actually loved the “twist”. I don’t think the movie is an attack on the church but a sort of plea to look inwards and assess what the overall scope of your values mean when faced with nuance and complexity. I think the twist ties back to the overall theme that “certainty is the greatest sin”. Dan said that people didn’t know what to do with the twist and that’s… maybe the point? The truth is fuzzy, unclear, and messy. And both in faith and in life, you have to seek out and live with that truth in its entirely instead of distorting it into something convenient for your own paradigm.

[@cherylhulting1301]

Thank you. I could not agree more, and this is one of the most intelligent analyses of the film that I've read.

[@dafunkk12]

When Kevin Smith’s Dogma came out, I was a “too smart for my own good” younger adult drifting away from the Church, but though the film is critical of dogmatic rules, regulations, etc, specifically, it understood and preached that though the structures that man built to support Christ’s earthly ministry could often be flawed, the core teachings and tenets were still valuable. A “don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater” situation. That movie (and a particular very lucid dream) kept me from fully drifting away from the faith and the Church, and I think Conclave is in a very similar position of examining the messy bureaucracy but not forgetting to look at the bigger picture of what purpose the Church is meant to serve.

[@timothymercer849]

I saw it last night and I fully agree with you. It did a great job in educating those of us about the conclave and a reminder that God loves everyone.

[@WG55]

I just saw the movie. As a Roman Catholic, does it bother you that Cardinal Lawrence, Ralph Fiennes's character, took confession from a penitent to gather evidence against another cardinal, and then broke the seal of confession to attack another cardinal?

[@marietailor3100]

@ Technically… he didn’t. He heard the same information from another source.

[@sgmk00]

No, but they let you in on what's gonna happen in the end (or where is it heading) from the beginning and throughout! In a ver subtle and almost unnoticeable way, but it's there! And I think that is exactly what makes this a round and important film. I know I'm not saying much because, spoilers, but damn that twist at the end... perfection.

[@hba265]

I expect Fiennes to get serious consideration, as well as the film itself. One of the most, if not the most, impressive of the year for me.

[@tommonk7651]

I just saw the movie today. I actually thought the twist at the end was great and in keeping with the themes expressed throughout the movie. Highly recommend!

[@GaylaLittle]

Saw Conclave yesterday and think the twist at the end was brilliant.

[@latissimusdomsi]

I've read the book and I saw what the author was going for. It kinda ties together the overarching theme of how the institutions of men fall short to the "will of God". Maybe that's kinda lost in this adaptation? I'm excited to see this movie for myself.

[@kathebridges4736]

I saw the movie, and I felt the Holy Spirit, not politics, prevailed.

[@willliv7990]

@@kathebridges4736how did you feel the Holy Spirit

[@juliapizzi9786]

Go see it You theme is what it’s about!

[@juliapizzi9786]

the Holy Spirit is showing us truth - the corruption power greed of some spiritual leaders. Mortal humans are flawed and so is the church leadership

[@francisb2278]

​@@kathebridges4736How did you feel the Holy Spirit?

[@AnneMcIntyre157]

The ending is in the book. I would have been disappointed if it had not been included.

[@dannygillespie6614]

Same! I was nervous they would change it, and I'm glad to hear they didn't (I haven't had the chance to watch it yet, but soon).

[@tintinismybelgian]

@@dannygillespie6614 They changed aspects of the twist, and I didn't think that the changes made it better.

[@dannygillespie6614]

@@tintinismybelgian interesting...

[@tintinismybelgian]

@@dannygillespie6614 Whereas in the book ----------- 's condition is such that the treatment would involve fixing malformed outer bits (suggesting that --------- 's sex has been, is and will be female), the movie has ---- 's treatment involving removing some inner bits (suggesting that --------- 's sex is intersex, but leaning toward male).

[@dannygillespie6614]

@tintinismybelgian yeah I finally got a chance to see it. That was a disappointing and not as impactful change.

[@woodearthdvd]

I think the ending twist is consistent with the thesis of the movie that all the cardinals are flawed or have secrets. The fact that Fiennes’ character chose not to expose this one shows development and growth of character. Overall really enjoyed the movie and hope it gets on your “best of 2024” list.

[@tintinismybelgian]

The addition of the turtles was empty and pointless. They weren't in the book, and they don't belong in the story. That's the twist you're talking about, right?

[@ericaandmikecohen210]

Without spoiling it, the final twist was necessary for the idea that nobody is perfect. I think that ending was 100% necessary for the movie to stick the landing. I believe it did.

[@heliotropezzz333]

Also to question humans or the church's notion of 'perfect'.. if people believe in God, well shouldn't that include what God has wrought? In religious terms the election of a Pope is meant to reflect God's will.

[@nicnac_nyc]

I loved this film. As you mentioned. Beautifully written, shot, and acted. I do not find the ending random or tacked on at all. I think rewatching may better support that. The repeated themes of secrets and sins all lead here and the rigid segregated roles within the church also are noted throughout the film. Will certainly be enjoying again.

[@delayedsaintv2]

The plot twist was so good I legit laughed because my theater was speechless… I will be buying a physical 4k if it releases!

[@christoman2000]

In regards to the spoiler Dan is talking about: I think the twist is trying to show how even the correct cardinal earning the papacy can have a "black mark" against him. Making Benitez's inevitable flaw/sin something he didn't have influence over and one that the former pope accepted I think still proves the point that he is the correct cardinal to become Pope. Additionally, as someone who was raised Catholic, I found that last discussion riveting since a fundamental belief is that every person is made "in God's image." I can understand how it feels out of left field but I did think it was an important note to show that Benitez was also a "flawed human."

[@LoudandClearChastity]

I'm not sure your logic is correct. Yes, we are made in God's image. Does that mean we are sinless? And once saved, always saved? If so, why did Christ die on the cross? This is basic Catholic Catechism.

[@UltimateKyuubiFox]

@@LoudandClearChastity I would to this say God created both Adam AND Eve.

[@tintinismybelgian]

The book makes it clearer that both the twist info about ------- and ----- 's background serving in the areas of the world and the particular people among whom ------ was assigned will make ---- a more compassionate pope.

[@heliotropezzz333]

It's interesting how people come away with different views. I came away with the idea that the church's view of 'flawed' may be different from the God they believe in. At least that is questioned and after all the outcome of a Papal election is meant to reflect God's will, as the Catholic Church believes.

[@brianharrington4045]

Great opening joke 😂 Dan! Thanks!

[@linmorell1813]

I agree totally about the ending. The music & filming is fantastic

[@johns.8681]

Tucci should have also been nominated for ‘Devil Wears Prada’.

[@dg-sl5jb]

More true words HAVE NEVER BEEN SPOKEN! Thank you!

[@JamesD-iw6pr]

Strongly disagree. It was too much of a one-note character to earn a nomination. That's not his fault, he was great in it, but the script didn't give him anywhere to go to show off his skills. It wasn't a difficult role.

[@jaugustrichards]

Personally, I think the ending was very necessary and said a lot… Everything, in fact!

[@juncojudd417]

Nothing about the ending seemed forced or out of place. This is an important film with important messages and to not go where it did in the last 2% of the film wouldn't have been in keeping with the weightiness of the rest of the movie. Also, as a species, we need to grow up and accept that things are changing for the better in many ways and that should be celebrated.

[@betts3985]

Definitely intrigued. It was on my list of possible movies to see in theatres but now I definitely want to see what this is about and see the twists. Thanks Dan for your amazing review.

[@JCIce007]

The buzz for this movie made me realize suddenly that Ralphe Finnes *doesn't* have an Oscar already.

[@thesecondmonolith9422]

The ending will certainly trigger some outrage, but I hope it generates some good critical discussion too. After some thought, I felt it worked well in the context of this story about secrets, faith, and the internal and external perceptions of the church, and made me reflect on those themes even further. This is why I love Dan as a critic, he’s willing to engage with the material sincerely even after his initial reactions.

[@GuadalupePicasso]

Critical discussion about what? That the Catholic Church needs a transgendered pope?

[@Carl17166]

@@vipnetworkerwas it really that woke? There are plenty of conservative Catholics who believe the current pope is capable of such a thing. I believe the movie shows that the liberal pope was the master mind of the whole thing.

[@yvonneplant9434]

Oh course it will to people who think the universe is binary.

[@yvonneplant9434]

​@@vipnetworkerExistence as it is doesn't suit your binary vision of it. Thank goodness.

[@yvonneplant9434]

​@@Carl17166Conservatives are hopeless at grasping variety and it's importance.

[@paultosinijaola1653]

The movie was good, but ending was really , really goofy. I kinda liked it, because really drove home the point that no one is perfect or that perfect candidate doesn’t exist. Definitely have to watch it again to pick up the clues.

[@dannygillespie6614]

It is in the book, tho, so some credit to the film for not trying to change it.

[@joecamps1119]

Literally just walked and holy crap, I haven’t been this engaged in a film all year. Catholic shenanigans has to be a peak cinema subgenre 😅 🙏🙏🙏👼

[@1234poppycat]

Anti Catholic bigotry strikes again and the gullible will fall for it just like thy did before with the Dan Brown effort

[@joecamps1119]

@ horseshit

[@breesybird9207]

@@1234poppycatoh no are people criticizing your child molesting ring?

[@PoppinPsinceAD33]

This is secular shenanigans with a Catholic costume. This movie really brushes off Muslim terrorism for what reason? You know Catholics were not very involved in this

[@JamesD-iw6pr]

I'd go as far as saying 'religions shenanigans' as literally every religion is like this. The only difference is that other religions use things like race to protect themselves from criticism. So if you criticise how they behave they will derail the conversation and say you are criticising not what they do, but the colour of the skin they were doing it in. Islam has been wildly successful at this to the point that anything negative said about them in the west is treated as racism. It's actually genius.

[@cariboubearmalachy1174]

This sounds like Margin Call - a surprisingly suspenseful and engaging thriller with no violence or sex - nothing but meetings in boring-looking offices.

[@nardforu131]

Margin Call is fantastic!

[@cherzo71]

nothing like that

[@jesusmendoza2414]

It had that pace for me and great acting

[@yavoth5850]

That's exactly how that final twist feels like in the book too imho

[@JScotty4Reel]

Ending fizzled a bit, but thoroughly enjoyed the journey there

[@Molson-xg9hs]

I appreciate your discussion on the rating…my wife is not a big fan of lots of swearing in movies and I was shocked when I saw this was rated PG. It’s nice to have a movie aimed at adults that doesn’t feel like it has to add out of place elements to be “adult”.

[@ShrankTheFirst]

I found it interesting that of all the secrets Lawrence was made privy to during the Conclave, that was the one he chose not to expose ultimately.

[@chrisdemetriou8593]

Man... how can your reviews be so good...? Incredibly conscise, insightful and fascinating as always keep it up

[@jim1242]

MY guess for the twist - The 3rd act turns either into an all out musical, with a big dance number featuring 100s of cardinals. The fact it was not advertised as a musical is completly in line with other movies that have come out recently. Either that, or it does a From Dusk until Dawn and vampires sudden start invading the vatican .

[@EdmondGuay]

I saw it, as you did with a very full audience of obviously older Catholics… I am Catholic… And I thought the movie was amazing. All the things that you said about the cinematic technical excellence are spot on. The performances are stellar across-the-board. But the twist that you spoke of at the end… Shook me to my core because I didn’t see it coming. But the speech that follows it to me summed up so much of the tension filled fence, sitting balance pursuit of the various factions of the different characters because the person at the center of this aha moment, articulated a key element of what so much of the film was about. What bothers me… Which is what also bothered me about all the hoopla and crazy over the top negative reaction to Martin Scorsese‘s the last temptation of Christ… Is that certain leaders of the Catholic Church who are very public will condemn this movie as heresy and blasphemywhen, speaking from the perspective of a devout Catholic, it simply opens the layers of intrigue, but ultimately reinforces the beauty of faith and service

[@LoudandClearChastity]

I haven't seen the movie yet. Let me guess. The Pope elect was or is gay? If so, there can't be any whitewashing. It's still a sin, no matter how much people want to rationalise it or make it seem acceptable within a 21st century context.

[@monitacha6088]

Spot on. I’m a devout catholic myself and I couldn’t have said it better.

[@BrunoHeggli-zp3nl]

I am a catholic non believer,i love the church even If i dont realy believe,i will watch this movie soon!

[@timothymercer849]

Excellent review...spot on. I am not Catholic (my dad was), but I learned a lot, and loved it.

[@LoudandClearChastity]

@@BrunoHeggli-zp3nl not sure how that works Bruno? A Catholic non believer. Which one is it? Or are you a "universal" non believer? Are you trying to hedge your bets?

[@JakeGottfriedStudios]

Hey Dan just wanted to let you know I watched The Remarkable Life of Ibelin today on Netflix because of your recommendation and it's also become one of my favorite films of the year for its impact and heartbreaking story and I'm glad you hyped it up for me

[@shiftymcgee9359]

Plot twist is the Catholic Church is secretly governed by a giant queen spider.

[@pattheplanter]

But she is Italian, so everybody is fine with it.

[@adamwalters9394]

Nice South Park reference. 👍

[@Molson-xg9hs]

Jon Peters shadow account, confirmed!

[@pewpewlazers5702]

Hippotus Hoppotus Do Rey Maus

[@shiftymcgee9359]

@@adamwalters9394 so sayeth the spider.

[@dg3764]

Great movie for 2 hours and then after all that … the ending feels so arbitrary. One brief speech and the person suddenly gets the 70 something votes needed? Maybe it felt more earned in the book-

[@cedrikewers4684]

That's my thoughts exactly. Sadly my cinema showed the movie without subtitles and I don't speak Spanish, but surely that speech can't be that persuasive.

[@sukorileakbatt294]

"oh yeah and then afterwards I was abducted by aliens" LMAO 100%

[@DethStroke-fo7he]

I live in a very liberal area, based on yard signs and bumper stickers, and at the very end when the “winner” was giving his reveal, the entire audience roared in laughter. I was surprised by the audience reaction.

[@jasonraschen1109]

Excited to see this one. Unfortunately won't be able to see it this weekend. Hoping to see it next Friday or Saturday. Thank you for the review Dan. Looking forward to charts.

[@johns.8681]

My guess they used the full sized set of the Sistine Chapel built for the film, The Two Popes, was used for Conclave.

[@JamesD-iw6pr]

6:23 you couldn't have gotten this more wrong. The Cardinals responded so well to the speech that they started voting for him. There is an entire scene where he is confronted by his friend Bellini who starts to think the speech was a ploy to try and get the Papacy himself. He even suggests to him that the votes that went Lawrence's way were probably votes that would have otherwise gone to Bellini.

[@evaokeeffe]

As a lifelong catholic I loved this movie. Especially the ending.

[@ricebrown1]

oh shit, they got The Tucc for this?

[@serious261]

Lmao

[@imperialexecutioner]

Oh my gosh that opening line about elections. Perfect. No notes.

[@cgtz9526]

I look at it like the twist at the end and the fact that the last pope was okay with it gave the Ralph Fiennes character his faith back

[@alizanewton2976]

Not only did the final twist tie in the theme of an imperfect pope that was delivered earlier during the speech, but it also emphasized the inconsistencies in Lawrence’s judgements. Lawrence felt it necessary to call out Tremblay, and reveal THAT piece of information to the cardinals, but not this…? He is selective with what he divulges to the other members of this process and therein lies the flaw in his character.

[@perfectlysamanthareviews]

I loved Conclave, but I really dislike the ending. Not because of . . . that thing that I can’t say because it would be spoilers, but because the character came across as so self-righteous. When this person was asked . . . that big question near the end, their answer made me roll my eyes. I felt he didn’t understand Cardinal Lawrence’s speech about doubt and certainty.

[@tintinismybelgian]

In the book, the speech that -------- makes after Lawrence/Loyelo reveals what's happened in the outside world is much better than how it spills out in the film because that speech is not a monologue but part of a more thorough back-and-forth between --------- and Tedesco, and also, -------- brings up more specific details from ---------- 's experience to back up the points that ------- makes.

[@perfectlysamanthareviews]

@ Yeah, the problem with that is that the book being different doesn’t make the character in the movie better. Maybe my issue is that I don’t view the . . . . situation . . . as a sin, so the character still comes across as self-righteous because they have zero flaws in the movie

[@tintinismybelgian]

@@perfectlysamanthareviews When you say "self righteous," do you mean "full of pride," or do you mean more that ---------- is a Mary Sue/Gary Stu, unable to develop and grow?

[@tintinismybelgian]

@@perfectlysamanthareviews I don't know why, but YT deleted my comment asking for clarification on how you mean to use the term "self-righteous." Could you expand on that?

[@perfectlysamanthareviews]

@ SPOILERS . . . . . . . . I felt the character who became pope was self-righteous because he had no flaws and chose that particular name for himself. Maybe the film makers thought he situation was a flaw but I don’t so he just came across as too perfect to me

[@78konjo]

I loved the ending of Conclave because it really ties a bow on the overall story. It's clear throughout that everyone is trying to do whatever it takes to get their choice of next pope up but there is one clear person who was ahead of everything here and not only set things up to get the exact person they wanted as the next pope but also highlights the type of person/leader they are in knowing exactly who the person they are getting this position really is.

[@autumnvoogd170]

By the one clear person - do you mean the pope that died? I felt like he was the one that set the whole thing up to ensure his legacy and move the church in the direction he wanted it to go

[@SnoopyKendall]

I have tickets for a matinee tomorrow to see this film and I'm super excited to check it out!

[@DR.DisInfect]

How was it

[@SnoopyKendall]

@@DR.DisInfect I thought it was excellent. Just got back from seeing it. Fantastic performances, excellent narrative, and the surprises in that narrative are really intriguing.

[@DR.DisInfect]

@SnoopyKendall going right now to see it. 🙏 Thanx

[@derekh4511]

I basically agree with you 100%, Concerning the twist at the end? The set up is maybe not enough. However … the ambivalence of faith and certainly? Which IS a big part of the story? Connects almost too perfectly with the end. This is an extremely beautifully made picture, with a brilliant cast, that will linger, one way or other. Which makes it much more powerful than the sum of its parts. With every day that is passing, I love it more and more and more.

[@olgak6734]

Beautiful movie. RL was amazing, as usual. The ending, though, was disapointing. I literaly loughed out loud, couldnt hold it, good job i was alone in the room watching^^

[@itsmonday7450]

I just watched the film myself and agree with Dan both in regards to the film and to the audience that I saw the film with I am super interested in a spoiler review that talks about the potential meaning of the ultimate ending

[@grahamcann1761]

My compliments on not spoiling the twist. Alas I haven't yet seen the movie, but I've heard about the twist from several sources (I wanted to ask if this movie directed by M. Night Shyamalan), and I quite understand your observations. As always, thank you so very much for the videos.

[@duckrutt]

M Night Shyamalan is elected pope? I didn't know he was in the movie.

[@Bad_Wolf_Media]

@@duckrutt That's what makes it such a surprise!!

[@bern12121]

It follows the book very closely. Some Of the names and nationalities are changed. I really liked the movie a lot! Don’t want to share too much, but the acting, writing, production design were outstanding

[@townsendm794]

I'm not a Catholic, but this film at least displays the incredible beauty and art that is particularly true to your faith. Fiennes is brilliant as ever.

[@austygo3563]

I really appreciate your take on theatrical releases, it’s actually something new from the rest of the internet

[@mrfrosty3]

Seems like my type of movie, I love a dialogue driven flick, particularly those by Sydney Lumet.

[@aloysiusmaina2625]

Yes, the ending certainly caught me off guard, and it felt very off-kilter. But as a thriller, it was definitely exciting, beautifully shot and had intense 😳 moments. As a Catholic, I can say it was fair to the history and doctrine, if only for that ending, which seems strained. A possible flaw is how abruptly credits come up. There was no focus on the presentation of the new Pope or even adequate catharsis from Cardinal Lawrence. At that point, it felt incomplete as an actual Conclave. They didn't even show the white smoke!

[@kmjc1213]

I 100% agree about the twist. I thought it was really interesting but I'm not sure how necessary it was. It seemed like the movie was wrapping up and I felt good about how it was ending. Also there was one guy in the theater who laughed at the reveal and it made the vibe in the whole place really awkward.

[@boxingmonkey8621]

Waiting on Fiennes to smash a phone to bits “You are a f**king inanimate object!!!”

[@callme_ladyo]

Loved this film! My Catholic parents - both over 65 - rarely go to the movies but they are excited to see this. The ending didnt bother me one bit - it was the cherry on top to a thrilling film!

[@mariosanchez6847]

The music is what made the movie, along with the acting and good picture. Just when the events slowed down, the music drew me back in anxiously waiting for the next discovery or event. Not sure about the ending but the overall idea of human error makes this movie more real and credible to the current world we live in.

[@plneky1171]

Largely agree your review. The ending wasn't essential for the overall plot and I would have changed it. But overall worth seeing considering there isn't much good drama being shown in movie theaters.

[@cherylhulting1301]

Um, the ending builds on the entire theme of inclusion as presented by the liberal faction in the church. It's quite related - and an intriguing question.

[@LoganNagol]

@@cherylhulting1301 sure it fits into the underlying theme, but narratively it still feel very out of place and disconnected from the rest of the movie

[@nicholascasale1225]

I think the point of the ending had to do with Lawrence's inner conflict. He says he doesn't want to be a witch hunter, and is clearly upset about having to expose his colleague's deep, dark secrets. At the end, he has one more chance to expose a colleague's deep, dark secret, knowing that if he does he will become Pope. He decides not to, proving that he truly isn't a power-hungry man tearing down rivals. He decides that last secret is one he can keep.

[@kevinschultz6091]

My father (a retired naval architect) has a story like that; it basically goes "....and then we found the first mate's body in his shower. But the important thing is that we figured out why the ball bearings on the drive shaft were getting sheared!" And the thing is, he was actually correct - the whole point of the story was about the engineering challenges he faced in the course of his work; the whole "finding the body" bit was, in context to the main narrative, just something that happened during the job, and was a minor hiccough in the process (ie, they couldn't get the first mate to do his job anymore.) EDIT - in looking up what the twist is on Wikipedia, yeah - it's not quite the same in terms of narrative structure (although when Dan mentioned that he couldn't guess it, that was what I thought it would be), but I do agree that it is a "OK, that bit kinda came out of the blue, didn't it".

[@nextel94]

Maybe that last twist at the end is more about lawrence's paranoia through the whole movie going through every candidate and finding out their dark secrets and whether they make one fit or not for papacy.

[@timderuijter]

Now you have me wondering about that twist

[@jessrl8025]

This is definitely one I would love to see, but it may have to wait until it comes to streaming. Thanks for your reviews as always

[@wordscapes5690]

The last fifteen minutes were absolutely brilliant.

[@TVandManga]

Great video Dan, I'm definitely considering going to see this when it comes out in the UK next month.

[@cb5484]

I agree. They didn’t properly set up the twist at the end. They could’ve added discussion about that subject during the deliberations. As it stands, it came out of left field and felt like a different movie.

[@heliotropezzz333]

It was meant to come as a shock, a surprise. You don't want to 'set that up'. That's the point.

[@johnsc51997]

My question is did they reveal to the world he is intersex or kept it a secret. It's not really stated and I can't imagine they would as the turmoil it would create in the world.

[@thomascoover9115]

Saw it a couple of days after opening. I found it realistic in what probably actually takes place during a conclave. The finale came as a complete surprise. But perhaps it was the perfect ending. Life, even in it's religious context, doesn't always work out as we expect. Pope Innocent reminds us that it is usually both this way and that. The decision not to have the "corrective " surgery. It's a reminder that ultimately it's another's hand to call us to greater faith. I will definitely see it again.

[@gloriathomas3245]

Political thrillers were a staple of the 90s when they largely dominated theaters and this film seem reminiscent of that time which is a welcomed thing. Movies like this is why people go to the theaters amd and they are types of films that should be made instead of pumping out an endless barrage of superhero movies.

[@osceHD]

Spoiler alert: I'm a catholic physician in my 40's, and saw it with my 73 year old mother. We both enjoyed the movie and I have to say I agree that the final plot twist felt thrown in, and wish it was something different. I think it's too complex of a topic to throw in at the last minute, and by leaving it under explored, it creates needles controversy. I had to clarify the medicine to my mom, as she misunderstood the ending. The twist was hinted throughout, and is intended to support the message in cardinal Lawrence speech. However, people often don't know the difference between transexual and intersex, and those who know there is a difference, are likely not familiar with all of the about 45 different intersex conditions; much less their subtleties and implications. I haven't read the book, but the change in how the intersex was discovered, a physical exam vs surgery, actually changes the condition that is being described. The description in the movie would suggest possibly dealing persistent Mullerian duct syndrome, in which case the new pope is still XY, and so it's really much ado about nothing.

[@LuisMejíacortez]

I saw it and I think that it had an unexpected impact ending, I really enjoyed.

[@lekinick]

Good review, respectfully though I disagree with your take on the ending. The whole theme of the movie, for me at least, was about faith and finding the right person to become the Pope, I think that’s evident from the fact of the two that fell out of the race and from the speech the eventual winner of the election gave to the cardinals near the end of the film, and that’s the theme the movie doubled down on with the twist at the end.

[@patricktalley4185]

I’ve talked to friends who have seen the film and/or read the book, so I’m familiar with the shock ending. Dan is right to be skeptical of it. It is not a twist that creatively reorients your perspective on the events of the film, like in Sixth Sense. It’s more like a non-sequitur or cinematic whiplash.apparently the creator wanted to take a gratuitous parting cheap shot at the sincerely held beliefs of Catholics everywhere. As usual, Hollywood has no idea what Catholicism really is or why Catholics believe what they do. They are just too obsessed with trivialities, sensationalism, and scandal to peer into the beauty and depth of the faith - or maybe they’re just afraid they won’t be able to hate it anymore if they do.

[@LoudandClearChastity]

Thanks Patrick. Fellow devout Catholic here. Yep. Agree with you. Most people don't understand Catholicism. Mind you, and based on my experience, Catholics aren't great at explaining or understanding the faith themselves. They just rock up to Mass and do their weekly duty.

[@michelehamilton961]

@patricktalley4185 I respectfully disagree. We know that the situation around the has probably happened even if it is not openly discussed. In Catholic school we knew this, although the priests were like no. Overall I loved the film as a film. It is beautifully shot and the score is better than 4 note All Quiet. Performances were all really good. As a former Catholic, it actually made me appreciate some parts of the Church.

[@42BETWO]

The new/unknown and novel cardinal of Kabul became Pope on the strength of his ‘little secret’ and one small do-gooder/‘tolerance’ speech. Not to mention the machinations of the late pontiff that set the stage. This was a DEI (s)election.

[@timalexander4205]

I am not a big movie watcher, but my wife wanted to see it. Loved it, didn't get out of my until the end. The surprise ending mirrors the novel, which I purchased the next day and read straight through. I think the Oscar is right on the mark.

[@Fuuntag]

Random question, has Dan ever expressed thoughts of reviewing the single player story of any video games? Narrative, pacing, immersion etc.

[@SpongeBobaFett]

Dan threw a curveball with that thunbnail expression! I thought he was gonna say he didn't like it

[@dennisgannon]

You are right about the impossibility to guess what could the ending be. 500 guesses and I too would not have guessed the final twist. I was open mouth shocked, gasp, gasp. That is why the book and movie end too soon. A sequel would be interesting. Given the amount of scandals, the probability of another cover up was seen. But how long would that new cover up last?

[@BlackThoughtTheOverLord]

Cinema Impressions did a review and mentioned the unusual twist (without giving anything away) and said exactly the same thing as Dan, that comes out of nowhere. Apparently the twist is in Robert Harris book. I am actually really quite intrigued by the twist and the overall good review, that I can't wait to see it.

[@BlackThoughtTheOverLord]

Sorry the other reviewer was Impression Blends not Cinema Impressions.

[@qhough7966]

I'm in the UK so I have to wait until next month to see it, but I really enjoyed the book and I'm looking forward to the film.

[@bluesdjben]

I can also go for a good people talking drama. Might not be able to see it this weekend, but hopefully next weekend.

[@cedrikewers4684]

My cinema didn't have subtitles for the Italian and Spanish parts, so I don't quite know what the Kabul-Kardinal said to convince everyone to vote for him. My only gripe with this movie is, that I don't believe that this many Kardinals would have voted for a new candidate no one knew before the conclave. I just feel it's a little unrealistic that they were swayed by one speech. Other than that, I think it's pretty good

[@CarolineLawrence]

They set up that ‘last thing’ beautiful and I was wondering about that character from the beginning. I think this film is a masterpiece. ❤

[@conorfurlong]

The final twist needs to come about ten minutes earlier than it does. It’s a fabulous twist but it completely upends the entire film to such a degree that it needed much more time to be fleshed out. The twist is revealed and then the film just stops. It’s a very odd way to conclude the film.

[@C_M_R]

The choice of the new pope was obvious, but I made a flippant guess about a twist regarding the winner - and I couldn’t believe I was right.