I Rewatched Conclave, And Knowing The Ending Actually Made For A Better Experience

In case you’re not up-to-date on the gripping drama of ‘Conclave’, I must warn you that the following insights might be considered as major spoilers. If you haven’t had a chance to watch this captivating papal thriller, I strongly recommend streaming it with your Peacock subscription. Once you’ve experienced the suspense for yourself, then feel free to revisit my thoughts here.

In 2024, Edward Berger’s movie, “Conclave,” stood out as an unforgettable theatrical event. The collective experience of watching with a multitude of people as more than 100 cardinals convened in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope following the death of the Catholic Church leader was intense, exhilarating, and mind-blowing. The climactic twist ending, which left the audience in stunned silence similar to that seen after “Avengers: Infinity War,” made the experience even more memorable.

Initially, I had seen the Golden Globe-winning drama, but upon rewatching, I found myself appreciating it more. It may sound odd, but knowing the ending seemed to enhance my viewing rather than detract from it.

Alright, movie lover here. Before I dive into it, just a heads-up – this conversation might reveal some secrets from one of the most gripping thrillers of 2024, “The Conclave.” If you haven’t seen it yet or don’t want the ending spoiled for you, better skip this chat. But if you’re game, let’s unravel this mystery together!

Don’t Get Me Wrong, I Loved The Conclave Ending And How It Was Executed

It’s possible that many individuals might find the ending of the Conclave unsettling or take offense at the idea of an intersex person becoming the Pope. However, I fall into a different group – I found the revelation about Cardinal Benitez (Carlos Diehz), who was born male but later discovered he had a uterus and ovaries, captivating. Similarly, I admired Cardinal Lawrence’s (Ralph Fiennes) choice to keep this information hidden from the other cardinals and the church following his election.

The last ten minutes or so of the film were flawlessly executed, and the grand plot twist, with its hints, suspense, and reaction, was handled brilliantly. To make this clear, let me emphasize that my admiration for the ending is sincere, and I hope it doesn’t give you the wrong impression that I found anything objectionable about it.

With that out of the way, let’s begin…

I Was So Distracted Thinking About The Possible Twist That I Ended Up Missing Much Of The Movie’s Nuance

Without knowing how the movie “Conclave” would conclude, I was intrigued by the anticipation surrounding its twist ending as it approached release. During the two-hour viewing, I speculated endlessly about the unexpected turn of events and tried to guess the nature of the twist. Would one of the cardinals be responsible for the pope’s death? Was there a chance that the conclave would be disrupted by the terrorist attacks hinted at in the film? Or perhaps Sister Agnes, played by Isabella Rossellini, would have more significant roles than just angrily typing on computers and praying.

In my eagerness to unravel the mystery of the movie, I ended up overlooking the intricate details like subtle gestures and meaningful dialogues that held significance, as they were overshadowed by the plot point I was fixated on, which turned out to not even be a twist in the storyline.

Knowing How Conclave Ends, My Second Viewing Was A Much More Profound Experience

Re-watching “Conclave” a second time offered a deeper appreciation, which is common with repeated viewings of films. However, few works have matched the increased enjoyment I experienced when revisiting Edward Berger’s sequel to “All Quiet on the Western Front.

This viewing provided numerous delightful moments as the suspense had been lifted, such as the quiet deliberations among the liberal cardinals aimed at securing a majority vote for Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci). Scenes like the touching and poignant prayer between Lawrence and Cardinal Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati), where Lawrence confesses he will not become pope, were particularly moving. The climactic scene, showing the jovial nuns exiting the conclave as Lawrence returns a turtle to the Vatican garden, was especially touching and left me feeling quite emotional.

Dean Lawrence’s Homily At The Start Of The Conclave Resonated So Much More The Second Time Around

As a movie enthusiast revisiting a film, I was reminded anew of Dean Lawrence’s profound sermon at the outset, a moment I had overlooked on my initial viewing. It was this scene that made the second watch truly rewarding. In this movie, Lawrence stands as the leader tasked with guiding the election of the new pope, and by extension, shaping the church’s future. His crisis of faith (he yearned to step down before the previous pope unexpectedly passed) is palpable in his discourse about tolerance, conviction, and the enigma of belief – a sentiment that resonated deeply with me upon rewatching.

The essence of our belief thrives on its dynamic nature, as it navigates side by side with uncertainty. Without a hint of doubt, there’d be no enigma left to unravel, making faith unnecessary.

During the closing moments of the sermon, there was an abundance of insightful, uplifting, and comforting statements that I’m extremely grateful to have heard again. It was indeed one of the most powerful cinematic monologues of 2024, which I’m glad I re-encountered.

In Fact, I Have A Greater Appreciation For Peter Straughan’s Powerful Screenplay

Upon re-watching the film “Conclave,” I have an even greater admiration for Peter Straughan, the screenwriter who received a Golden Globe for his adaptation of Robert Harris’ 2016 novel with the same title. What astounded me was how much the British playwright and screenwriter responsible for “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” and “Frank” managed to include in a two-hour movie without it appearing overstuffed or hurried. Every scene, every line, every word seems carefully chosen, demonstrating Straughan’s skillful use of words and the depth of his writing.

I Was Also Able To Sit Back And Marvel At All The Movie’s Mesmerizing Shots

Under Edward Berger’s direction and Peter Straughan’s script, Conclave showcases stunning cinematography, courtesy of director of photography Stéphane Fontaine. Almost every scene is exquisitely illuminated, arranged, and captured, at times producing scenes that resemble masterpieces in the Vatican museum rather than a film on a screen.

I vividly recall enjoying the scenes depicting cardinals approaching before the conclave, particularly those with umbrellas shielding them from heavy rain, as well as the candidates following each vote. However, the experience was enhanced when I could unwind the second time around, making these moments even more delightful. I’m confident that a third viewing will be equally enjoyable, which is set to happen soon.

In summary, re-watching the film “Conclave” was an even more delightful experience the second time around, which suggests that it’s a quality movie. I’m eagerly anticipating its performance at the forthcoming award ceremonies in the near future.

2025-01-12 02:07