Just saw ‘Conclave’ yesterday afternoon. I don’t think I’ve been to a movie in more than two years, maybe not since COVID, and I was blown away. It is visually stunning. There are so many moments that say multitudes: the cigarette butts in the courtyard after the cardinals have all been smoking, the contrast of men in ancient ceremonial robes with cellphones. I had not read the book, so the final twist was a genuine surprise. The Nigerian cardinal’s attitude towards homosexuality represents a widespread view in the African (and other) Catholic Church (and countries). I didn’t think the cardinal who said that it would be good for the Church to have its first black pope was expressing his own opinion - he was running against that cardinal and had clearly stated his disapproval of him in an earlier scene - but was trying to put the best possible spin on a possibility that he hoped would not occur. I thought the movie had interesting observations about the corrupting influence of ambition. I agree that some of the characters might as well have had “HERO” or “VILLIAN” signs above their heads (in one case, other cardinals discuss their feelings about one of the candidates, suggesting to the audience how it should react to him, before he even appears on stage). One thing that struck me was the fact that all of the characters were middle-aged or older. Maybe it’s because I haven’t seen many movies recently, but that seemed like a refreshing change.
"Woman of the Hour" sounds interesting based on your description of the camera work here. The main thing I noticed rewatching "Silence of the Lambs" recently for the first time in decades was how much the movie uses unusual framing (specifically, close shots of people looking right at the camera) to make you feel Clarice Starling's discomfort on a truly visceral level.
I went to Conclave, only the 2nd or 3rd movie in the theater this year; Sorry Sonny, I'll do better.
I knew all the spoilers, and let me just say, I'm not ready to do your job, but I thought the film did an excellent job of transmitting the weight of the decisions the men faced. I really felt the pressure on Cardinal Lawrence. I felt the striving and excitement of the men who could become pope. And since I'm never going to be in any of those roles, I thought the film was well done. The spin at the end was ... a bit gratituous.
Just saw ‘Conclave’ yesterday afternoon. I don’t think I’ve been to a movie in more than two years, maybe not since COVID, and I was blown away. It is visually stunning. There are so many moments that say multitudes: the cigarette butts in the courtyard after the cardinals have all been smoking, the contrast of men in ancient ceremonial robes with cellphones. I had not read the book, so the final twist was a genuine surprise. The Nigerian cardinal’s attitude towards homosexuality represents a widespread view in the African (and other) Catholic Church (and countries). I didn’t think the cardinal who said that it would be good for the Church to have its first black pope was expressing his own opinion - he was running against that cardinal and had clearly stated his disapproval of him in an earlier scene - but was trying to put the best possible spin on a possibility that he hoped would not occur. I thought the movie had interesting observations about the corrupting influence of ambition. I agree that some of the characters might as well have had “HERO” or “VILLIAN” signs above their heads (in one case, other cardinals discuss their feelings about one of the candidates, suggesting to the audience how it should react to him, before he even appears on stage). One thing that struck me was the fact that all of the characters were middle-aged or older. Maybe it’s because I haven’t seen many movies recently, but that seemed like a refreshing change.
Wow. I love how Sonny makes you FEEL the movie. Bravo.
"Woman of the Hour" sounds interesting based on your description of the camera work here. The main thing I noticed rewatching "Silence of the Lambs" recently for the first time in decades was how much the movie uses unusual framing (specifically, close shots of people looking right at the camera) to make you feel Clarice Starling's discomfort on a truly visceral level.
How should I feel about a movie (like Conclave) that I love for 95% and then groan at the ending?
I haven’t seen the Conclave, but I get your vibe.
I went to Conclave, only the 2nd or 3rd movie in the theater this year; Sorry Sonny, I'll do better.
I knew all the spoilers, and let me just say, I'm not ready to do your job, but I thought the film did an excellent job of transmitting the weight of the decisions the men faced. I really felt the pressure on Cardinal Lawrence. I felt the striving and excitement of the men who could become pope. And since I'm never going to be in any of those roles, I thought the film was well done. The spin at the end was ... a bit gratituous.