Isabella Rosselini gives the greatest face acting performance I have seen in years. As a person who isn't catholic, I thought the ending was perfectly fine. Cardinal Benitez was not corrupt or did not have a problematic past so the reveal was almost poetic in that it tied with Cardinal Lawrence's speech about uncertainty. Disagree with Matt's assumption that Benitez was a benign actor who sat silently through the conclave. A lot may have happened off screen where Benitez may have been actively campaigning for votes and they were always in the contest. Just because they were silent on screen can't be an assumption for someone who did not want power. That speech at the end was a campaign speech if I ever saw one. I also question the timing and motive of Benitez's arrival at the conclave. If they were a Cardinal who wanted to puruse their ministry in conflict zones, the last thing they would have wanted was to reveal their identity publicly. To arrive at the conclave to participate in a vote that could have continued without them and burn their secret identity seemed like a deliberate decision. There are more layers to the character of Benitez than appear on the surface.
That’s really interesting - with all the speechifying in the film I had made the assumption that it was all surface level. I’d be interested to see it again and see if Benitez’s character was being quietly built the whole time
Great review! Agreed with your takes on the ending. I know some people who hated the ending (both because it was so sudden, as well as the actual twist). A viewer’s reaction to the ending is an interesting Rorschach test.
I know this is late, but please don't give away plot twists without a warning in your thumbnail "spoiler alert". I would say thank you as I do in all my reviews, but you discussed the secret. Just splash A warning so people going to see it..then we can experience the movie.
Isabella Rosselini gives the greatest face acting performance I have seen in years. As a person who isn't catholic, I thought the ending was perfectly fine. Cardinal Benitez was not corrupt or did not have a problematic past so the reveal was almost poetic in that it tied with Cardinal Lawrence's speech about uncertainty. Disagree with Matt's assumption that Benitez was a benign actor who sat silently through the conclave. A lot may have happened off screen where Benitez may have been actively campaigning for votes and they were always in the contest. Just because they were silent on screen can't be an assumption for someone who did not want power. That speech at the end was a campaign speech if I ever saw one. I also question the timing and motive of Benitez's arrival at the conclave. If they were a Cardinal who wanted to puruse their ministry in conflict zones, the last thing they would have wanted was to reveal their identity publicly. To arrive at the conclave to participate in a vote that could have continued without them and burn their secret identity seemed like a deliberate decision. There are more layers to the character of Benitez than appear on the surface.
That’s really interesting - with all the speechifying in the film I had made the assumption that it was all surface level. I’d be interested to see it again and see if Benitez’s character was being quietly built the whole time
“Conclave” is sinfully good.
Great review! Agreed with your takes on the ending. I know some people who hated the ending (both because it was so sudden, as well as the actual twist). A viewer’s reaction to the ending is an interesting Rorschach test.
It's pronounced "Rafe", not Ralph.
WhatsApp the Point, be Not the Vatican
WhatsApp?
I know this is late, but please don't give away plot twists without a warning in your thumbnail "spoiler alert". I would say thank you as I do in all my reviews, but you discussed the secret. Just splash A warning so people going to see it..then we can experience the movie.
Fun watch. Not memorable. B-