Conclave

Richard Harris is an extremely good author in my humble opinion. In any event I have read a number of his books, one or two of which are highlighted elsewhere in this blog; see for example at: Act of Oblivion

One of the books of Richard Harris which I enjoyed is Conclave so  was keen to see the film when it opened. However the Wimbledon Curzon was sold out of seats for the first two occasions on which I tried, but yesterday I was able to secure three seats to include mrs maytrees, myself and youngest daughter Catherine, to watch the film together.

Mrs maytrees and myself found the film riveting, Catherine slightly less so. The whole performance concerned  the election of a new pope following the sudden and perhaps surprising death (though he was 80 years old) of the incumbent. The absence of guns and shootings, which are sadly frequent features of many films both on TV and the cinema these days, was almost refreshing, though there was a bomb in Rome during the convocation.

.Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence Dean of the College of Cardinals played his part of presiding over the conclave and the voting processes, brilliantly.

Indeed I had thought that this would be one of those films unusual in C21, where women actors would hardly feature at all. How wrong that view proved to be as naturally there are many religious sisters in the Vatican. In fact the Vatican's reverend mother along with a nun from Nigeria, played relatively prominent roles in the film.

A summary of the opinion of Tom Edwards in the Catholic Herald reads:

 If you want a film about ambition and power with good acting and a beautiful set, Conclave is worth seeing. But if you are looking for a film about Catholicism and the papacy, take Bishop Barron's advice and run away from it - as fast as you can."

 Although I am catholic  and agree with much of the good review in The Catholic Herald magazine, I disagree with their reported view  of the American  Bishop Barron. 

I am sure that in electing a new pope there will be various factions and much politicking by numerous cardinals during the process. After all they like us all are human. But a great work of fiction and an excellent film.