I really enjoyed this - one of the brownest, most shadowy films I’ve ever seen, like a Rembrandt painting. There is a moment when Isabella Rossellini breaks a taboo by speaking loudly to the assembled cardinals, and she finishes her tirade with a polite little curtsy. I filled the almost empty cinema with laughter at that point!
My (well-attended) cinema had the same reaction. Reminds you how much more satisfying it is to see a film in an actual cinema. That scene really took everyone by surprise and was wonderfully written /acted
I have read the book and I loved it. I saw the movie on Wednesday with my Mum and I loved it all over again. It will win the Oscars for Best Actor (Fiennes), Best supporting Actor (Tucci) and best director (Berger). Maybe it will earn a best supporting actress nomination (Isabella Rossellini) too.
I've read the beautiful novel by Robert Harris, and about to go to see the film (it has landed on these shores only today! grr!). I loved how Harris described his characters - not good, not bad, all conflicted - and how deep he went with Cardinal Lomeli (Lawrence in the film) I would just like to remind everybody that this is still fiction though 🙂 In order to make a thriller, there have to be a lot of twist and turns and surprises... not that Conclaves of the past were un-eventful (quite the opposite...) but the sheer amount of stuff that takes place in this "Conclave" is a bit removed from reality 🙂 But it's fine. It's a novel and a film, not reality. And it makes a good thriller to read / watch, though I wish I had seen a bit more of the "spiritual" side of things, as we did in "The two Popes". The final twist made me think a good deal. I thought it was a bit off - but then one has to join it with Lomeli's speech during the service before the Conclave's beginning.
Lovely to find you on YT, sir. I tend to like reviews only after I've seen the movie: this is a fun exception, since I've read the book years ago. Cheers and Happy 2025 🥂❄️ to all. Paz y luz ✨️ 🕊
This movie has a massive cult following on tumblr. I went to see it because of the vape memes and clearly wasn't the only one. I really enjoyed the story and I always love Ralph Fiennes. Just a really solid, well made ensemble movie, a political thriller and those are few enough and far between. I hope this does well in awards season. It has some beautiful acting in it.
A fantastic, intriguing and thoroughly enjoyable movie. It has been a long time since I enjoyed a movie with good plot, great acting and a one that leaves me wanting more. Excellent and highly recommended, worth the price of the ticket
A fun watch, nice to look at and listen to. My complaint is that alongside the plot twists came ‘theme twists.’ As though it wanted to say so much that it ended up saying very little.
I read the book because I greatly admire Harris' work. Not a great fan of the Catholic church, I was amused to read confirmation of my impressions of that organization. I look forward to seeing the film.
The ending of Conclave disrupts the film's disciplined tone. The twist stretches credibility-there’s no way something like that stays secret in the Vatican. Lomeli’s procedural focus on protecting the papacy from scandal makes his acceptance of this twist feel inconsistent and implausible.
Really enjoyed the film (having not read the novel) and nice review, Peter! What a great cast and they bounce off each other really well. And are you thinking that Fiennes has it in the bag for the lead role in the remake of 'Rising Damp' the movie?
If I were an actor I would jump at the opportunity to work on a Peter Straughan script. Wolf Hall, Tinker, Tailor now this; he gives actors lines to chew on and audiences something to think about on the journey home. Also loved the way Berger manages to summon attention for every scene.
Great channel, I’ve been working my way through your back catalogue and come across some great films. I’d like to reciprocate and recommend Brian by Jeremy Cooper, it is a great novel and centres on film.
I hadn’t read the book so the final plot twist ruined what was up until then a very competent movie. If you don’t know the twist enjoy the movie and walk out when then they applaud the new pope. You will miss nothing and have nothing ruined.
Liked the book and didn’t guess the twist. The film is blessed with a quartet of sterling performances from the ever dependable Tucci, Lithgow, Rosselini and Fiennes. Whilst sumptuously filmed and solidly directed, the adaptation exposes how preposterous the plot is. The twists and contrivances plain daft and the denouement laughable. To cap this there’s a truly awful performance from Sergio Castellitto as the villainous proto facist Cardinal Tedesco. This prime slice of ham is up there with Roberto Begnigni’s execrable turn in Life is beautiful. Wordy, tedious and moderately interesting there’s way too much exposition which drags the enterprise down. On reflection, this would have made a good play but only if blessed with the splendid cast.
You're a sinner, a grave sinner. You reveal far too much of the plot. I watched Conclave for the first time yesterday and was surprised at how much humor there was. Caricature, rather than character development. Shock, rather than surprise. "All-star cast!" I've read it as warning for decades. A writer and director depending on star power to draw an audience to a thinly written, shallowly directed movie. But I like the pretty clothes and will watch again.
'Conclave' is based on Robert Harriss's weakest book. The fact that the new 'pope' turns out to be a woman masquerading as a man, is just plain ridiculous. One lacklustre star.
![Conclave (2024) Behind the Scenes [Making Of]](/img/n.gif)
I really enjoyed this - one of the brownest, most shadowy films I’ve ever seen, like a Rembrandt painting. There is a moment when Isabella Rossellini breaks a taboo by speaking loudly to the assembled cardinals, and she finishes her tirade with a polite little curtsy. I filled the almost empty cinema with laughter at that point!
My (well-attended) cinema had the same reaction. Reminds you how much more satisfying it is to see a film in an actual cinema. That scene really took everyone by surprise and was wonderfully written /acted
I loved it... Fiennes and the men who played Adeyemi and Tedasco were top-notch. And any film with Tucci is worth watching.
Finally approaching 10k subscribers!
I have read the book and I loved it. I saw the movie on Wednesday with my Mum and I loved it all over again. It will win the Oscars for Best Actor (Fiennes), Best supporting Actor (Tucci) and best director (Berger). Maybe it will earn a best supporting actress nomination (Isabella Rossellini) too.
Very much looking forward to this, from everything I've heard from you and other reviewers it's going to be very good.
My most anticipated film for quite some time...... Looking forward to this very much. Keep up your good reviews on TH-cam 👍
I've read the beautiful novel by Robert Harris, and about to go to see the film (it has landed on these shores only today! grr!). I loved how Harris described his characters - not good, not bad, all conflicted - and how deep he went with Cardinal Lomeli (Lawrence in the film)
I would just like to remind everybody that this is still fiction though 🙂 In order to make a thriller, there have to be a lot of twist and turns and surprises... not that Conclaves of the past were un-eventful (quite the opposite...) but the sheer amount of stuff that takes place in this "Conclave" is a bit removed from reality 🙂 But it's fine. It's a novel and a film, not reality. And it makes a good thriller to read / watch, though I wish I had seen a bit more of the "spiritual" side of things, as we did in "The two Popes".
The final twist made me think a good deal. I thought it was a bit off - but then one has to join it with Lomeli's speech during the service before the Conclave's beginning.
Lovely to find you on YT, sir. I tend to like reviews only after I've seen the movie: this is a fun exception, since I've read the book years ago.
Cheers and Happy 2025 🥂❄️ to all.
Paz y luz ✨️ 🕊
Peter is truly the best writer on film the UK has. Utter delight to read his reviews and analysis. One of the journalist gems at The Guardian.
Thank you for your kind words!
This movie has a massive cult following on tumblr. I went to see it because of the vape memes and clearly wasn't the only one. I really enjoyed the story and I always love Ralph Fiennes. Just a really solid, well made ensemble movie, a political thriller and those are few enough and far between. I hope this does well in awards season. It has some beautiful acting in it.
I love Peter Bradshaw’s reviews !!! Top marks.
thank you!
A fantastic, intriguing and thoroughly enjoyable movie. It has been a long time since I enjoyed a movie with good plot, great acting and a one that leaves me wanting more. Excellent and highly recommended, worth the price of the ticket
A fun watch, nice to look at and listen to. My complaint is that alongside the plot twists came ‘theme twists.’ As though it wanted to say so much that it ended up saying very little.
I read the book because I greatly admire Harris' work. Not a great fan of the Catholic church, I was amused to read confirmation of my impressions of that organization. I look forward to seeing the film.
The ending of Conclave disrupts the film's disciplined tone. The twist stretches credibility-there’s no way something like that stays secret in the Vatican. Lomeli’s procedural focus on protecting the papacy from scandal makes his acceptance of this twist feel inconsistent and implausible.
"Oh shit. The race has started. We need to start bringing together a plan."
"How can you sermonise and plot at the same time?"
Really enjoyed the film (having not read the novel) and nice review, Peter! What a great cast and they bounce off each other really well. And are you thinking that Fiennes has it in the bag for the lead role in the remake of 'Rising Damp' the movie?
Read the book , indeed all his books and now you have only whetted my desire to view the film in all it's sanctimony and intrigue . thank you .
Isabella Rossellinni steals every scene she is in
If I were an actor I would jump at the opportunity to work on a Peter Straughan script. Wolf Hall, Tinker, Tailor now this; he gives actors lines to chew on and audiences something to think about on the journey home. Also loved the way Berger manages to summon attention for every scene.
This sounds very good indeed. Excellent review.
Best film I've seen recently was Late Night with the Devil.
persuasive reviewing
Pure entertainment..as it should be but please let's hope it dosent feed into the rumour mill.enjoy the film and remember it's pure entertainment....
Sounds magnifico
I really enjoyed it. I put it as my movie of the year. One aspect you didn't touch on. It's also a whodunnit.
Haha yes, Leonard Rossiter!
Ahhh! Thank you - and yes.
@@somecontrol268 th-cam.com/video/O-hHGL0q23M/w-d-xo.htmlsi=qLGlvnp65cahp0wM
Very good.
A great film with fab performances…..go see !
Sounds addictive
Great channel, I’ve been working my way through your back catalogue and come across some great films. I’d like to reciprocate and recommend Brian by Jeremy Cooper, it is a great novel and centres on film.
Bertolucci Esque compositions !!
here's a comment that I left
I hadn’t read the book so the final plot twist ruined what was up until then a very competent movie. If you don’t know the twist enjoy the movie and walk out when then they applaud the new pope. You will miss nothing and have nothing ruined.
For sure the film of the year
This film sent the hardcore Catholics in the Philippines in a tailspin.
I have seen the movie - it was marvellously well made movie to an utterly laughable and completely absurd script.
Scrip? Without the T?
Liked the book and didn’t guess the twist. The film is blessed with a quartet of sterling performances from the ever dependable Tucci, Lithgow, Rosselini and Fiennes. Whilst sumptuously filmed and solidly directed, the adaptation exposes how preposterous the plot is. The twists and contrivances plain daft and the denouement laughable. To cap this there’s a truly awful performance from Sergio Castellitto as the villainous proto facist Cardinal Tedesco. This prime slice of ham is up there with Roberto Begnigni’s execrable turn in Life is beautiful. Wordy, tedious and moderately interesting there’s way too much exposition which drags the enterprise down. On reflection, this would have made a good play but only if blessed with the splendid cast.
Does the book end very differently from the film then?
@@somecontrol268no but what seemed believable in the book appeared improbable and implausible in the film.
Loved it but could have done without the last ten minutes……just would have ended it after the election. But there was a book to adhere to 😂
I think very few WANT to be Pope. It is the most burdensome job in the world!
108 Angry Men
ideology makes la creme de la creme of British film critics drool over the most predictable, deeply stupid plot twits
And yet your ideology makes you winge about a not very important part of the film, sad.
You're a sinner, a grave sinner. You reveal far too much of the plot.
I watched Conclave for the first time yesterday and was surprised at how much humor there was. Caricature, rather than character development. Shock, rather than surprise. "All-star cast!" I've read it as warning for decades. A writer and director depending on star power to draw an audience to a thinly written, shallowly directed movie. But I like the pretty clothes and will watch again.
Peter, I don't like reviews at all. Good films always get negative review from you
If you don’t like reviews at all, why are you reading them?
'Conclave' is based on Robert Harriss's weakest book.
The fact that the new 'pope' turns out to be a woman masquerading as a man, is just plain ridiculous.
One lacklustre star.
You should Not have spoilt it for others . Unforgiveable . 5 decades of the Rosary for you !!
So you just decided to spoil it for everyone else.
You clearly didn’t understand the ending. The new pope was intersex, not a woman masquerading as a man.