‘Conclave,’ a film about selecting a new Pope, is rich in grace notes for all

‘Conclave,’ a film about selecting a new Pope, is rich in grace notes for all

Commentary by Becky Tallent | FāVS News

Weeks after seeing the movie “Conclave,” images and ideas still resonate. Why? Perhaps it is because the movie is life in miniature or at least life reduced to two hours. 

Most of us have run across the main characters in our own lives. We all know someone who is dogmatic about returning to past principles; someone else who is hell-bent on changing the future; another person who may be pious but have a dark secret; someone who gaslights people to get their own way; and still another deep into a crisis of faith about themself. 

And we are all very familiar with the fights we endure to do our jobs properly, although we probably do not deal with the extremes of the main character Cardinal College Dean Thomas Lawrence. In this case, Thomas was aptly named as he openly doubts his ability to conduct the conclave to elect a new pope. 

A mystery-thriller based on a novel

For those unfamiliar with the film, “Conclave” is based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris examining what could happen during the College of Cardinals conclave following the death of a pope.

The mystery-thriller has the dean trying to hold a conclave in the middle of his personal crisis of faith, dealing with secrets and scandals about each candidate and civil unrest outside the Vatican walls. 

Be prepared if you see it. There is a twist at the end that is, to some, as intellectually shocking as the physical ending of the 1992 film “The Crying Game,” but without the nudity. 

But, that ending is the grace note most humans need. That and the actions of Sister Agnes, the woman who works behind the scenes to hold the center together while protecting her own flock.

The sister’s curtsey to one cardinal towards the end is both humorous and a defiant gesture to authority. Both the ending and the part of Sister Agnes suggest the question: What is the most good for the greater number of people? 

As an academic, I could do a very long rift on Jeremy Bentham’s Utilitarian philosophy, but that is not necessary here. The answer of “the most good for the greater number of people” here is heartening. It shows humanity evolving to its best with compassion.

The finale is a fitting decision by Dean Lawrence to bridge all divides as best as humanly possible, knowing there will likely be naysayers. 

Seeking out light in the dark of winter

Seeing it during the holidays felt almost serendipitous, but it pointed out something that has been obvious to me for a while. In the dark of winter, humans always seek out light. 

It is no coincidence that there are so many religious holidays in December. Yes, Christmas on Dec. 25 for Christians and Hanukkah (Dec. 18-26) for the Jewish faith, but also Zarathustra Diso (Dec. 8) for Zoroastrians, Rohatsu (Bodhi Day, Dec. 26) for Buddhists and Winter Solstice (Dec. 21) for Wiccans. Catholics have six different feast days to celebrate, including St. Nicholas Day (Dec. 6), Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8) and Feast of the Holy Family (Dec. 30). 

Most of these celebrations involve the ideas of new birth and light. Beacons, as it were, for humans to follow. 

That brings us back to “Conclave.” In the story, an unexpected person arrives in the guise of a secretly appointed Cardinal, Archbishop Vincent Benitez of Kabul. Mexican by birth, Benitez has spent his life ministering to people in war zones, bringing compassion and comfort where he can.

In the conclave, he brings an unexpected light and clarity of purpose to the gathering with a quiet, yet impassioned, speech about rejecting violence after a car bombing outside the Vatican during the voting. 

OK to have doubts about life

The film will probably win several awards, especially for acting (Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini are especially effective) and scriptwriting by Peter Straughan. But the emotions evoked and the enlightenment generated should last long after the awards end and some people forget it exists. 

Why? Because above the mystery-thriller is a product full of grace notes, a message that it is OK to have doubts about life. However, with some research and introspection, that doubt can be eased if not erased, leaving the individual with a life of grace. 

The views expressed in this opinion column are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of FāVS News. FāVS News values diverse perspectives and thoughtful analysis on matters of faith and spirituality.