Movie #3350 ........................."Conclave" (Theatre)

movie #3350 "Conclave" - not my kind of movie at all --- esp when it is advertised as a "thriller" and it isn't.  I have the greatest respect for the lead actors  in this film -- some of my favorite male actors:  Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow, but it was forced to me --- the kind of movie that has occasional pretty shots, but the tense music and the rapid pace of the dialogue aren't enough to drive the dramatic moments.  I found it quite mundane and boring  --- but I must say, looking at the critics' comments , I am in the minority.  Yes, we are taken right to the core of the religious practice of electing a pope --- and evidently "No other film has taken us there" (although I remember some of that from The "Davinci Code", no?) And the scenes in that movie were far more interesting to me, and shorter / to the point than these in this film.  I really don't have much more to say about it --- I would have turned it off much earlier if it hasn't been  found on lists for awards this film season, so I watched it until the end, but it's a surprise to me what all the hubbub is about surrounding this film.  I don't see "Here" on the list of good films this year.  And I really enjoyed watching that one --- I'd give this a mild 3 and not recommend it.  But that's probably just me.   

"CONCLAVE"     2024         PG     2 hours

When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world's most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundations of the Church.

Director:  Edward Berger

Writers:  Peter Straughan, Robert Harris

Actors:  Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow

Added Note:  I rewatched this after the Critics' Choice Award was given to the screenplay for this film.  I must say the story fit together much better for me the second time watching --- I remember getting the priest's names mixed up in the theatre, and I was not able to go back and correct my confusion.  The acting was still very good, and I still appreciated the photography, but on second viewing I appreciated the story so much more --- and that would boost my original score up to 3.8 and I would recommend it.  It still is a bit slow, but when I could appreciate the story I found it less boring, for sure.  I can see now what all the hub but was about.