18/45
Based on Robert Harris' 2016 novel "Conclave"
Tale
When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with presiding over one of the world’s most secret and ancient events, electing a new pope, he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundation of the Catholic Church.. Sister Agnes: Although we sisters are supposed to be invisible, yet God has given us eyes and ears.. "Only those who do not seek power are qualified to wield it ," Platonic mysteries abound in the Catholic Church, from the virgin birth to the transubstantiation, but rarely will you witness a mystery that you can solve. Conclave, a thriller about the fictional election of a pope, shows more about the ambitions of many "papabili" (those qualified to become pope) than about doctrine.
Therefore, the ambitious rumors reach him and thence to us
The Curia is a curious place where cardinals live and ambition runs rampant along with vice, jealousy, bigotry and lies. Dean Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is almost devoid of ambition (see Plato’s saying above). Sometimes the manipulations seem ripped right out of our current presidential election, where as November approaches we hear even more rumors and just plain bad will. Lawrence, a dignified man with scruples, tells why his own doubts are characteristic of emerging wisdom: "Faith is a living thing because it goes hand in hand with doubt.
Surely no faith is needed," he preaches
"Let us elect a pope who doubts." For Lawrence, a candidate who is absolutely certain that, as pope, he will set the institution back without keeping it fresh and modern. Director Edgar Berger manages with a steady hand the intimacy guarded by the crowds waiting for the smoke of the Vatican to announce a new pope. Such a mystery lends itself to a wonderful thriller whose mystery is nectar for an audience that can claim to be in everything. Beyond the clues and considerations, we observe the human drama of the race for the grand prize and the not-quite-best contenders.
Or read Angels & Demons
The nuns, however, can be relied upon, especially Sister Agnes (Isabella Rossellini), who watches and intervenes only when necessary. After a revelation or two, things settle down to what it is, just a good thriller with the College of Cardinals providing some juicy bad guys. Not all popes have been perfectly holy: witness Pope John Paul’s cover-up of sexual abuse and former Hitler Youth Pope Benedict XVI. However, in this shamelessly made-up Conclave, cardinals can choose a person who « sins and asks for forgiveness. » Or a platonic choice of lack of ambition.
And little doubt
Check out our list of exciting new films from this year’s film festivals including Venice, TIFF, New York Film Festival and more.
Leave a Comment