{"id":9699,"date":"2024-10-22T23:36:54","date_gmt":"2024-10-23T03:36:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/reelfaith\/?p=9699"},"modified":"2024-10-22T23:36:54","modified_gmt":"2024-10-23T03:36:54","slug":"review-exceptional-conclave-exposes-faith-doubts-hope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/reelfaith\/2024\/10\/review-exceptional-conclave-exposes-faith-doubts-hope.html","title":{"rendered":"Review: Exceptional ‘Conclave’ Exposes Faith, Doubts, Hope"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\u201cConclave,\u201d releading this week from Focus Features, delves into one of the most secretive and ancient rituals in the world\u2014the selection of a new pope. The film follows Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), who is suddenly thrust into leading this delicate process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the world\u2019s most powerful Church leaders gather behind the closed doors of the Vatican, Lawrence begins to uncover a web of secrets left by the late pontiff\u2014secrets that threaten to shake the very core of the Catholic Church.<\/p>\n

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1565464 \u2013 \u201cConclave\u201d \u2013 (L to R) Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence and Stanley Tucci as Cardinal Bellini in director Edward Berger\u2019s CONCLAVE, a Focus Features release.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fiennes delivers one of the finest performances of his career as Cardinal Lawrence, the dean of the College of Cardinals. Portraying a man grappling with his own crisis of faith and burdened by his imperfections, Fiennes captures the deep inner turmoil of a noble servant caught between his doubts in the Church and his unwavering faith in Jesus. His role as the conclave\u2019s moderator\u2014collecting votes and managing candidates\u2014is marked by a quiet dignity, showing a man wrestling not only with the politics of the process but with his own spiritual struggles.<\/p>\n

At one point, Lawrence tells the group, \u201cCertainty is the enemy of unity,\u201d a line that encapsulates the internal battle of a man confronting both his faith and his doubts. In Lawrence, we see echoes of biblical figures like Moses and the Apostle Paul\u2014flawed yet divinely chosen leaders, who, in their weakness, find strength through grace, as expressed in 2 Corinthians 12:9.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, \u201cConclave\u201d isn\u2019t just a commentary on the inner workings of the Church or a critique of its institutions. Instead, it offers a rare and respectful glimpse into a world that few have ever seen. Several of Lawrence\u2019s fellow cardinals quietly compete for the papal position, reflecting the tension between those hoping for a more liberal or conservative successor. Despite their machinations, Lawrence remains the unlikely candidate, his reluctance gradually transforming into a hesitant acceptance of his potential calling.<\/p>\n

Visually, \u201cConclave\u201d is stunning, with director Edward Berger masterfully capturing the grandeur of Rome and the Vatican. From the awe-inspiring cathedrals to the stark simplicity of the cardinals\u2019 quarters, Berger contrasts the splendor of the Church\u2019s surroundings with the characters\u2019 internal conflicts. His close-up shots, which linger on the faces of the cardinals as they wrestle with their decisions, heighten the tension and bring a sense of intimacy to the unfolding drama. With remarkable performances and bold direction, \u201cConclave\u201d is poised to make waves this awards season, and it wouldn\u2019t be surprising to see it as a frontrunner for Best Picture.<\/p>\n

At its heart, \u201cConclave\u201d is a mystery\u2014both in its plot and in the moral and spiritual dilemmas it presents. Without giving away spoilers, the film takes viewers on a journey that explores not only physical twists but also the profound questions of faith and leadership within the Church. Ultimately, it provokes thought on how flawed men are used by God in the process of choosing the next pope, offering audiences a compelling mix of reverence, intrigue, and reflection.<\/p>\n

\u201cConclave,\u201d directed by Edward Berger and starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, and Isabella Rossellini, releases on October 25 through Focus Features.<\/p>\n