Fiennes deserves one for sure. I could argue others do too for supporting roles. The question is always, how good are the other nominees they are up against.
I like how things seemed so straightforward, predictable at the start. As more truth came to light, the path seemed less clear and more conflicts arose. In the end, the truth in the light allowed everyone to come to terms with their differences and similarities as to make peace with their choice and with each other. Truth in the light indeed.
This is a very intelligent synopsis,thank you. You waste no energy on hyperbole,and give us the straight facts,especially about Cinematography,that you clearly have experience with. I’m highly interested in what looks like a brilliant movie.looking forward to more technical movie break downs.❤🇨🇦
This is different. This is fun. With all due respect to many great film reviewers, they play an advanced game of checkers where you play three dimensional chess
Thank you so much for this! I loved this movie the moment it started. Rare gift nowadays. A film as painterly as a work of art, with a plot as gripping as a thriller, portraying Catholic rituals not in a documentary fashion, but as vivid, cinematic portraits. Brillant. Going to watch it again next saturday.🙏
I loved this film and bought and own a copy. Cannot count how many times I have watched it. I’ve never done this with any other film…. I’m 80 years old. It’s riveting. Thanks for your insightful review.
@@bookwoman40 I think that’s fantastic you’ve found something that you can enjoy many times over. I find that every time I watch Conclave (and I watched it many times while making this break down) I see something new each time. I hope the same goes for you, and thanks for sharing!
as a catholic that is incredibly critical of the institution, this film was amazing. the discussion/struggle within the church to modernize and become inclusive vs those who want to regress is potrayed really well. i went into this not really knowing what it was about and walked out super impressed. the story, the themes, casting, writing, all amazing.
Brilliant review. I saw the film when it came out and thought it was astonishing. I love how you highlighted the art of the filmmakers and how it was crafted to work so seemlessly with the story and acting, enhancing both. I agree that Ralph Feines was stunning, although the whole ensemble brought their A game.
Thank you for this thoughtful commentary. I saw it on a whim. Wow. I'm no expert, but the lush beauty of it and the tight control in every scene was amazing. Many times I thought you could lift a still and hang it on a wall. Pure art
A most excellent movie I thoroughly enjoyed it and your review was so wonderful, you entice people to watch the show without really revealing anything that would detract from the show. Bravo 👏, bravo 👏 🎉🎉
This is a masterful piece of cinema - beautifully shot - the cinematography is fantastic - every frame has purpose to it. Thanks for your video - saw the movie yesterday - wonderful.
I love this film and your analysis was so great! My favorite scene was Cardinal Lawrence’s sermon. Only people with faith will understand the weight and power of doubting.
This was a really great video! I'm glad you explained the subtle details of the technique of how the movie was filmed and how it really shapes the themes of the story in ways I haven't thought of yet as i also analyze it. This level of subtlety with so much emotion and messaging is what I love so much about this film and films like it in general. I like how Fiennes explained it briefly in an interview of how "he loves the interior contradictions in a pie. It's great to get your teeth into. " This movie really has so much deep and subtle flavor to bite into and understand more each time. Anyway great video I hope to see more! 😊
@@Mimikyu_8 Thank you! And now I’m hungry. Nothing like a good piece of pie with ice cream. That’s a great metaphor! Lots more pies to come with different flavors.
I saw this movie in theaters opening night and man oh man was it amazing. The palpable tension combined with the shots and acting combine to make this a movie unlike many I've seen.
I read the book and that tells you more about Cardinal Lawrence’s sentiment towards women. He deliberately forces the thought of women out of his head the day he becomes a priest and only regrets it years later when he physically loses the ability to act on any impulses. In a way, he protects himself from the typical dynamic between the sexes and only gradually as leader of the conclave begins to realize that these very intelligent educated women at the Vatican are condemned to be servants. It’s a weird thing that I’m not totally convinced the author pulled off any more than Alex DeLarge becomes an empathetic family man at the end of Clockwork Orange. In fact, it’s directly opposed to the dead pope’s assessment of Lawrence as a manager and not a shepherd. Maybe what it all comes down to is the former pope’s assessment of the abilities and character of each man. He was a much better chess player than Bellini and he set up his successor in a brilliant chess match using Lawrence as the sacrificial piece. Lawrence would have made a good pope. He’s an honest and decent man. But he’s not outstanding and unique like Benitez. I loved the book and the movie and all the gorgeous cinematography wasn’t lost on me. I didnt need to see Michelangelo’s ceiling.
Amazing context. I was only breaking down the characters based on what I saw in the film, but it seems the author did a great job in setting up Lawrence’s character to help steer the conclave in the right direction. The fact he changed his mind about women over time was a great example of why he was against “certainty” so much, and that was probably what inspired him to make that brilliant speech to start the conclave. Really good subtext that would have been difficult to include in the cinematic version.
I just left my own comment and then scrolled down and read yours. I think you and I saw the same movie, I'm not sure what so many others saw. It was clear from the last shot the filmmaker thought he had made a movie in which "women's roles in the church" was the theme, but I didn't see it. When you tell us there was more of that content in the book, it explains it. In the adaptation they clearly got caught up in artificially creating tension and suspense, drama, etc. Imagine the possibilities if this book would have been adapted by a woman filmmaker, screenwriter. No, I'm tired of letting men off the hook because of their gender, this is just sloppy writing any way you look at it. So many male writers and filmmakers have had no trouble at all adopting a woman's point of view for a specific story... Okay, maybe that's not the point. I appreciate your observations.
One detail I liked is the evolution of Cardenal Benitez explained through the background of the scenes he's in. He's introduced in a very closed dark space, then we see him in an open but very dark space, even with mold, and through the movie we go through this evolution of his in the church until we get his speech with him clearly lit and in the spotlight. Another detail that made me go wow was the height of characters. When two or more are speaking to each other, the character that has more power in that relationship is shown lower than the others (in general). Even in the final scene, one of the characters is not only lower, but seated showing that he has the (almost) absolut power. The final plot twist, although IMO unnecessary, shows that there are always secrets that need to be kept from others, for the greater good.
@@viktorepo I love this take. You found another story within the story of Conclave, just brilliant observations about Benitez’s character arc and the cardinals. Conclave is the gift that keeps on giving.
@@LorenBehindTheScreen There are many many small stories within the movie. Backgrounds, lights, music, secondary characters, etc. Everything is there for a reason. Just saw it this weekend and would take me more times watching it to almost get a grasp of everything that's happening lol
Loren, if you have ever seen one of my favourite films, The Remains of the Day 1993, where you observe a butlers life who never experienced reality, well the ending is similar to Conclave, where both he and Lawrence set a pigeon and a turtle back to it's natural life, but they return to their fictional roles and titles. Beautiful scenes to see and dwell on.
Phenomenal video - so fascinating to get this insight into the filmmaking process for this beautiful movie. I've subscribed - looking forward to your next...
Great review! Thanks for pointing out how the mood of the movie is crafted. I watched this movie soon after it came out and loved it. It was so telling reading the reviews of typical Catholics who missed all the symbolism regarding the women of the church. The most common comment was that the ending was just bowing to the godless progressives of today. Wow, they missed the message by a mile! Thanks for sharing your review.
Well said @thewebdiva5903. The ending on the surface seems unrealistic, but this isn’t a documentary. It’s high-level storytelling. The plot and characters are full of symbolism to convey a deeper message.
I find your video very amusing because i really like how you focused on the visual aspect of the film and then connected it not just to the storytelling technique but also to its thematical value. I also like how you communicate your thoughts clearly and directly without recurring to clunky word salad. Definitely looking forward to your next videos.
Good work analyzing the cinematography of the film and how it conveys the director's version of the story. I like the use of shallow DOF as this is one of my favorite techniques as someone who dabbled in photography. It forces your audience/viewer to stay close to the main item of focus and therefore it is an effective way to deliver a message. Conclave seems like an intriguing film too!
Oh if you haven’t seen it I highly recommend you check it out. And yeah, shallow depth of field is used a lot in cinema, but Conclave really uses it with intention and to great effect.
The little details, especially the sound, add an element to Dean Lawrence's character. I don't know if it's normal, but I haven't encountered a movie where I can hear the character's breathing. Lawrence is like a ticking time bomb and I as a viewer was waiting for him to snap. Although there are moments when he has to put his foot down, the heavy breathing is a nice touch (weird thing to say) because I felt I was going to snap any moment while watching the film and whacking my head what the hell is going on. He's just an old guy who wants to get out of that stressful place hahaha.
Funny you mention the breathing. The director, Edward Berger, told me that the actor Ralph Fiennes spent over 2 hours in the recording booth of just sounds of him breathing. Because they needed so much of it.
Thanks for pointing out the meaning of the lighting choices. I just saw this yesterday. There was one point where there was a weird bit of reflected light (?) next to Lawrence which surprised me since you don't see that in films very often. Also for part of the film you can be wondering if Lawrence is really not wanting the papacy & being truthful about his doubts etc, or whether he, too has ambitions but is hiding them, maybe even from himself. I've also heard someone say this film is anti-Catholic. There is a religious element, but its also about power & politics. Its almost as if a film about Henry VIII is called anti-Protestant, especially if it focuses on his first 2 wives.
Haha good comparison. I don’t see the film as anti catholic. I see it as one possible outcome the conclave could go. That’s the beauty of a conclave, change is possible within Catholicism. I think that’s pretty cool actually. As for the light artifact, I’m not sure where that is, but sometimes light glints can react funny with the camera lenses. But I’d have to see it to know for sure. Also, I do think at one point, Lawrence didn’t want it, but at another point, he did based on what the alternative was. That’s part of what made his character arc so interesting.
❤️❤️ Just like I didn’t want Conclave to end. Maybe they will make a sequel I can review. Or we’ll find some other movie gems to talk about. This is just the beginning.
@@waitronunit41 please do! And of course let them know how to find my channel if they want to learn more. I have new episodes coming out as often as I can.
Great insights! What impressed me in this film was the sound, yet you didn’t mention it. The resonance of the voices. The careful sound effects when fingers graze surfaces. The judicious use of music. Superb audio!
Agreed, I was hesitant to play too much sound for copyright reasons, but I thought the score complimented the suspenseful and jarring plot line, and the sound effects were evocative themselves. Also, I will say the director Edward Berger told me Ralph Fiennes spent two hours in the sound booth just recording his breathing, because there were so many shots of him just breathing. Pretty cool.
I appreciate you chiming in about the sound. It’s great to have people like yourself who are really into films and how the magic is made. Welcome to my channel!
GREAT!!! Yes it's one of those films you notice something new with each viewing, and kept me riveted even on my second time around!! You certainly earned a new subscriber here and am now off to check out more of your videos!!🙋♀
@@LorenBehindTheScreen I knowww! i just come from the arts and to me it was an extremely wonderful experience! :) thx for the highlights afterwards with your analysis which is super precise and detail oriented! lovelyyyy!
@@katharinahoppel336 it's a gem of a movie, and you clearly have good visual taste. I can't wait for more works of art like this one from Edward Berger.
Very insightful review. I did not get the symbolism of the opening walk down the tunnel. I watched the movie on my iPad. With the range of color values, this is really a movie that should be seen in theaters. It was excellent.
Subscribed !! ❤ Succinct and clear, not even adding the role of the captivating classical music leitmotif playing into the hands of visuals - I saw this in the theatre, dubbed since there was no other choice, kiddie movies blasting around the smallest room with 100 ppl max. Not a dull moment.
@@katsweeterly2039 oh yeah, the musical score played perfectly into the tense and shocking process throughout the conclave. Well done on surviving that theater experience and staying in it.
I didn't see this movie as anti-Catholic at all. Fiennes in the lead role is a good man. If reviewers think the politicking of the cardinals was bad, they should take a look at historical conclaves that had money openly exchanged, fights breaking out, and two popes being elected purely for political purposes.
I agree with you @FrankinDallas, I don’t see it as anti-catholic either. In fact I see it as a healthy debate on what the cardinals want for their future. There is drama, because humans by nature come with their own flaws. But the conclave ultimately finds a way forward for the Catholic Church, whether everyone likes it or not, that is the process.
Such a nice informative analysis video.. I just watched the movie and watched your video right after it.please keep doing what you are doing it’s great 👍🏻👍🏻
I LOVE THIS FILM. my only complaint is that i felt the cinematography was inconsistent. Most of the shots were perfection, well thought out & composed, & some felt like throw-aways.... i suppose its too much to ask for every shot to be a masterpiece & may actually disrupt the story telling . 💜💚💜💚💜💚 also isabela rosalini is still gorgeous
Thanks for chiming in! I’m not sure which shots you are referring to exactly, but I do know that every film does reshoots after they finish editing the film, to fill in story gaps that aren’t working. It’s possible you might be seeing some added shots that don’t get the same care as the rest. Just one theory.
I must say as a person who was raised a strict Roman Catholic..(yikes,lol) and have since moved away from religion and God in general.. I found this movie to be fascinating and it may very well be the most interesting movie I've seen this year.... I was hooked from the minute it started... I was hesitant at first because of my current feeling towards the church but pleasantly surprised with This brilliant film
@@jrzygurl I think the film does a good job of balancing the religious aspect with the drama of the conclave itself, and not letting one aspect take over the other. It makes it fun to watch regardless of faith.
Tolle Zusammenfassung und Erklärung! Ich war begeistert vom Film, allerdings ging die vorletzte Szene für mich einen Schritt zu weit. Ich hätte es besser gefunden, diese auszulassen und gleich zum Schluss und den Nonnen zu kommen...
This is probably where they stayed true to the book. Definitely pushed the envelope a bit, especially for a religion as old and traditional as Catholicism.
Excuse me, sir. How dare you reveal the mysteries that make this film so great? My appreciation for Berger's masterful work has grown ever more certain and less doubtful now.
The soundtrack was excellent, and complimented the movie perfectly. I just didn’t want to play it for copyright reasons. But thanks for bringing it up here.
Thanks for this. I'm seeing the film next week. I've always found Ralph Fiennes a cold fish of an actor, but he made a good nazi and this sounds like good casting to make him a power broker.
I have a problem with some of the costuming....they got some things wrong. The rochet (white garment) worn over the cassock and under the mozetta is too long. It does not extend past the knee and is NEVER at mid calf length.
This movie was a true masterpiece! I also saw The Brutalist and just didn’t like it. CONCLAVE is the movie that should be the awards darling and it should really be the one getting all the buzz because this movie really was a master class in movie making and an embarrassment of riches in acting talent. So good!
@@sandraztavarez3525 I think conclave is such a pleasure to watch from beginning to end. All the characters, even the antagonists, are still enjoyable to watch. It’s a real treat.
@@bluevol1976 I agree 100%. The score was abrupt and disruptive, just like the twists and turns during the conclave. It heightened the drama and suspense brilliantly.
I have subscribed as yours is the first analysis I have seen which makes sense of the use of light and shadow to convey art in a movie. Dark scenes normally irritate me as it is so hard to see what is happening (and I don't go to horror films) but this is different and I can understand now. Have you ever analysed any Chinese films such as Hidden Blade by Cheng Er, who also uses cinematic effects very artistically? There will be a new film by him to be released this year which may come to the US, called Intercross or Mermaid (the Chinese change their film names a lot!) and I'd be very interested to know what you think of it whenever it comes.
So glad to have you aboard @kaykeelan. It’s great to have others inspired by the art of cinema to talk to. I have not seen hidden blade, but I’ll look that up, and would definitely be up for any new films that come out by Cheng Er. It’s always exciting to discover new classics of cinema, and conclave was just the first of hopefully many more.
@@LorenBehindTheScreen It's relatively rare I think that an actor is so expressive as Fiennes is in this, that even his eyes don't need to be seen to understand his thoughts. He must become absorbed into the character to imbue it with that level of expertise.
![Conclave (2024) Behind the Scenes [Making Of]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/0V2h8nbvhuE/mqdefault.jpg)
![Conclave (2024) Behind the Scenes [Making Of]](/img/tr.png)
This was a movie that hooked me from the first minute, keeping it’s grip till the last scene. I haven’t watched a movie this good in YEARS!
@@marjar.5978 agreed! It’s a gem. A great combination of artistic filmmaking and enjoyable characters to watch.
@marjar.5978 - I'm in shock!... I just finished watching this movie today. I was so impressed that I'll have to watch it again, scene by scene.
@@marta2420 I pick up on something new each time I watch it.
Agree!!,,,, this movie was a pleasant surprise for me
I loved the complexity of this movie and the complexity Fiennes portrays as well. I hope several actors get Oscar’s for their fine work.
Fiennes deserves one for sure. I could argue others do too for supporting roles. The question is always, how good are the other nominees they are up against.
I liked Tucci's and Castellito's characters, I wish one of them was nominated in supporting actor role
@ they brought a lot of character and charm to the film. I agree, a nom would have been fitting.
I like how things seemed so straightforward, predictable at the start. As more truth came to light, the path seemed less clear and more conflicts arose. In the end, the truth in the light allowed everyone to come to terms with their differences and similarities as to make peace with their choice and with each other. Truth in the light indeed.
I love this take. The light brought peace. So simple.
I watched Conclave a few days ago- this has helped me understand why it has left such a powerful impression with me. Thank you.
That’s what I’m here for. Happy to have added value to your conclave experience.
This is a very intelligent synopsis,thank you. You waste no energy on hyperbole,and give us the straight facts,especially about Cinematography,that you clearly have experience with.
I’m highly interested in what looks like a brilliant movie.looking forward to more technical movie break downs.❤🇨🇦
Thank you, it’s comments like these that make me want to keep doing this.
This is different. This is fun. With all due respect to many great film reviewers, they play an advanced game of checkers where you play three dimensional chess
Then Edward Berger plays 4D chess. Filmmaking is a fun game.
Perplexed? Go back to your basement.
Thank you so much for this! I loved this movie the moment it started. Rare gift nowadays.
A film as painterly as a work of art, with a plot as gripping as a thriller, portraying Catholic rituals not in a documentary fashion, but as vivid, cinematic portraits. Brillant. Going to watch it again next saturday.🙏
You summed it up perfectly.
I loved this film and bought and own a copy. Cannot count how many times I have watched it. I’ve never done this with any other film…. I’m 80 years old. It’s riveting. Thanks for your insightful review.
@@bookwoman40 I think that’s fantastic you’ve found something that you can enjoy many times over. I find that every time I watch Conclave (and I watched it many times while making this break down) I see something new each time. I hope the same goes for you, and thanks for sharing!
as a catholic that is incredibly critical of the institution, this film was amazing. the discussion/struggle within the church to modernize and become inclusive vs those who want to regress is potrayed really well. i went into this not really knowing what it was about and walked out super impressed. the story, the themes, casting, writing, all amazing.
It’s wonderful to hear your point of view on this. It’s refreshing to hear that you enjoyed it and that change in the church can be embraced.
Brilliant review. I saw the film when it came out and thought it was astonishing. I love how you highlighted the art of the filmmakers and how it was crafted to work so seemlessly with the story and acting, enhancing both. I agree that Ralph Feines was stunning, although the whole ensemble brought their A game.
Thank you so much! And I couldn’t have summed up the movie better myself than you just did. 🙌🏻
Thank you for this thoughtful commentary. I saw it on a whim. Wow. I'm no expert, but the lush beauty of it and the tight control in every scene was amazing. Many times I thought you could lift a still and hang it on a wall. Pure art
In the best movies, every frame can be framed like a poster. For me, that’s part of the joy of high level filmmaking.
I’ve just watched it at the cinema… literally thirty minutes ago. What a great movie!
I couldn’t agree more.
Thank you! It was very interesting and enjoyable review. And the film is absolutely earned a Golden Globe for the best script
I’m glad you enjoyed! And the film could easily win other awards going forward. We’ll see what happens.
How this film was not nominated for Best Cinematography? Best Director? This baffles me
Honestly, it baffles me too. The only question is, how good are the others that were nominated… I haven’t seen them all yet.
Ok I just checked and I have seen all the films for best director. I do think Berger was snubbed for best director.
A most excellent movie I thoroughly enjoyed it and your review was so wonderful, you entice people to watch the show without really revealing anything that would detract from the show. Bravo 👏, bravo 👏 🎉🎉
And Edward Berger makes my job easy!
THANK you. THIS is what I was trying to say when I said the direction was amazing - your use of language in this review is perfect.
@@MaryscottOConnorinTC sometimes the best directing makes it look simple, but it’s quite the opposite beneath the surface.
This is a masterful piece of cinema - beautifully shot - the cinematography is fantastic - every frame has purpose to it. Thanks for your video - saw the movie yesterday - wonderful.
@@carmie9400 I couldn’t agree more. I enjoy it just as much every time I watch it.
I love this film and your analysis was so great! My favorite scene was Cardinal Lawrence’s sermon. Only people with faith will understand the weight and power of doubting.
I agree, that sermon was an incredible moment that Fiennes delivered so powerfully.
This was a really great video! I'm glad you explained the subtle details of the technique of how the movie was filmed and how it really shapes the themes of the story in ways I haven't thought of yet as i also analyze it.
This level of subtlety with so much emotion and messaging is what I love so much about this film and films like it in general. I like how Fiennes explained it briefly in an interview of how "he loves the interior contradictions in a pie. It's great to get your teeth into. " This movie really has so much deep and subtle flavor to bite into and understand more each time.
Anyway great video I hope to see more! 😊
@@Mimikyu_8 Thank you! And now I’m hungry. Nothing like a good piece of pie with ice cream. That’s a great metaphor! Lots more pies to come with different flavors.
I saw this movie in theaters opening night and man oh man was it amazing. The palpable tension combined with the shots and acting combine to make this a movie unlike many I've seen.
It’s an instant classic. I bet this will age well too.
Excellent and enlightening analysis of the rich film language in Conclave. Helps me better understand why it was so rewarding to experience.
Thanks so much @saffron19-j5s, and that’s what I’m here for.
Thank you for sharing your insights and including relevant examples ans scènes. I can appreciate the film more now.
@@javagirl I’m so glad you enjoyed!
Splendid. Thanks for pointing out all of that which made the movie such a feast for the eyes.
Eyes, ears, heart, and soul :)
Wow, a different and brilliant perspective on this spectacular movie. Can’t wait to see more like this🎉🎉🎉
Thank you! Looking forward to rolling more out soon.
I read the book and that tells you more about Cardinal Lawrence’s sentiment towards women. He deliberately forces the thought of women out of his head the day he becomes a priest and only regrets it years later when he physically loses the ability to act on any impulses. In a way, he protects himself from the typical dynamic between the sexes and only gradually as leader of the conclave begins to realize that these very intelligent educated women at the Vatican are condemned to be servants. It’s a weird thing that I’m not totally convinced the author pulled off any more than Alex DeLarge becomes an empathetic family man at the end of Clockwork Orange. In fact, it’s directly opposed to the dead pope’s assessment of Lawrence as a manager and not a shepherd. Maybe what it all comes down to is the former pope’s assessment of the abilities and character of each man. He was a much better chess player than Bellini and he set up his successor in a brilliant chess match using Lawrence as the sacrificial piece. Lawrence would have made a good pope. He’s an honest and decent man. But he’s not outstanding and unique like Benitez.
I loved the book and the movie and all the gorgeous cinematography wasn’t lost on me. I didnt need to see Michelangelo’s ceiling.
Amazing context. I was only breaking down the characters based on what I saw in the film, but it seems the author did a great job in setting up Lawrence’s character to help steer the conclave in the right direction. The fact he changed his mind about women over time was a great example of why he was against “certainty” so much, and that was probably what inspired him to make that brilliant speech to start the conclave. Really good subtext that would have been difficult to include in the cinematic version.
I just left my own comment and then scrolled down and read yours. I think you and I saw the same movie, I'm not sure what so many others saw. It was clear from the last shot the filmmaker thought he had made a movie in which "women's roles in the church" was the theme, but I didn't see it. When you tell us there was more of that content in the book, it explains it. In the adaptation they clearly got caught up in artificially creating tension and suspense, drama, etc. Imagine the possibilities if this book would have been adapted by a woman filmmaker, screenwriter. No, I'm tired of letting men off the hook because of their gender, this is just sloppy writing any way you look at it. So many male writers and filmmakers have had no trouble at all adopting a woman's point of view for a specific story... Okay, maybe that's not the point. I appreciate your observations.
One detail I liked is the evolution of Cardenal Benitez explained through the background of the scenes he's in. He's introduced in a very closed dark space, then we see him in an open but very dark space, even with mold, and through the movie we go through this evolution of his in the church until we get his speech with him clearly lit and in the spotlight.
Another detail that made me go wow was the height of characters. When two or more are speaking to each other, the character that has more power in that relationship is shown lower than the others (in general). Even in the final scene, one of the characters is not only lower, but seated showing that he has the (almost) absolut power. The final plot twist, although IMO unnecessary, shows that there are always secrets that need to be kept from others, for the greater good.
@@viktorepo I love this take. You found another story within the story of Conclave, just brilliant observations about Benitez’s character arc and the cardinals. Conclave is the gift that keeps on giving.
@@LorenBehindTheScreen There are many many small stories within the movie. Backgrounds, lights, music, secondary characters, etc. Everything is there for a reason. Just saw it this weekend and would take me more times watching it to almost get a grasp of everything that's happening lol
@@viktorepo agreed. Every time I watch it I see something new.
I'm still stunned by the visuals of this movie. Very informative video!
I hope this helps you appreciate the visuals even more, now that you have some insight to how they were made. Thanks so much for sharing!
Absolutely loved the modern surrealism they put into this. Made it very fun to watch
@@LastResxrtt it was definitely unexpected from beginning to end.
Loren, if you have ever seen one of my favourite films, The Remains of the Day 1993, where you observe a butlers life who never experienced reality, well the ending is similar to Conclave, where both he and Lawrence set a pigeon and a turtle back to it's natural life, but they return to their fictional roles and titles. Beautiful scenes to see and dwell on.
It looks really good, I haven't seen this one yet, but I'll add it to my watch list for this week, thanks for the recco Frank.
I first saw Ralph Fiennes onstage in 1989, as the near-childlike Henry VI. Every time I see him, he's completely different.
A true craftsman. A lot of actors are good at a certain typcast. The same goes for directors too. There aren’t many quite like Fiennes and Berger.
Thank u! U made me stick it out til the EXCELLENT ending!!👏👏👏
@@patriciahappe852 I’m thrilled to have made a difference. Glad you enjoyed all of it!
Excellent analysis of Conclave! I cant wait to see the film.
@@vagarwal9084 thanks, and I hope you enjoy it!
Your video is like a guide to refined aesthetics. Thank you.
Glad to be of service.
Phenomenal video - so fascinating to get this insight into the filmmaking process for this beautiful movie. I've subscribed - looking forward to your next...
@@nickcstyler thank you so much! Many more coming soon.
Awesome video, thanks! What an amazing movie (and analysis!).
Glad you enjoyed both!
Great review! Thanks for pointing out how the mood of the movie is crafted. I watched this movie soon after it came out and loved it. It was so telling reading the reviews of typical Catholics who missed all the symbolism regarding the women of the church. The most common comment was that the ending was just bowing to the godless progressives of today. Wow, they missed the message by a mile! Thanks for sharing your review.
Well said @thewebdiva5903. The ending on the surface seems unrealistic, but this isn’t a documentary. It’s high-level storytelling. The plot and characters are full of symbolism to convey a deeper message.
Brilliant twist at the end
@@paulinecoburn181 I always love a good twist if I can.
wow ! thanks so much for such a beautiful review and decoding the scenes especially the tunnle scene. Incredible movie.
It’s a lot easier to make a beautiful review when reviewing a beautiful film. Gotta give credit to Edward Berger too 👏🏻
I find your video very amusing because i really like how you focused on the visual aspect of the film and then connected it not just to the storytelling technique but also to its thematical value. I also like how you communicate your thoughts clearly and directly without recurring to clunky word salad. Definitely looking forward to your next videos.
@@OrangeBullMoo thanks so much! Looking forward to showing you many more episodes like this one.
Good work analyzing the cinematography of the film and how it conveys the director's version of the story. I like the use of shallow DOF as this is one of my favorite techniques as someone who dabbled in photography. It forces your audience/viewer to stay close to the main item of focus and therefore it is an effective way to deliver a message. Conclave seems like an intriguing film too!
Oh if you haven’t seen it I highly recommend you check it out. And yeah, shallow depth of field is used a lot in cinema, but Conclave really uses it with intention and to great effect.
The little details, especially the sound, add an element to Dean Lawrence's character. I don't know if it's normal, but I haven't encountered a movie where I can hear the character's breathing. Lawrence is like a ticking time bomb and I as a viewer was waiting for him to snap. Although there are moments when he has to put his foot down, the heavy breathing is a nice touch (weird thing to say) because I felt I was going to snap any moment while watching the film and whacking my head what the hell is going on. He's just an old guy who wants to get out of that stressful place hahaha.
Funny you mention the breathing. The director, Edward Berger, told me that the actor Ralph Fiennes spent over 2 hours in the recording booth of just sounds of him breathing. Because they needed so much of it.
I noticed the breathing too!
Great video, great channel. I'll be on the lookout for more.
Thanks so much! More coming soon…
Wonderful analysis. I really like your style and the deep information of course
Wonderful, I’m glad you enjoyed. I like the deep dives too, that’s where all the fun is in good movies.
Thanks for pointing out the meaning of the lighting choices. I just saw this yesterday. There was one point where there was a weird bit of reflected light (?) next to Lawrence which surprised me since you don't see that in films very often. Also for part of the film you can be wondering if Lawrence is really not wanting the papacy & being truthful about his doubts etc, or whether he, too has ambitions but is hiding them, maybe even from himself.
I've also heard someone say this film is anti-Catholic. There is a religious element, but its also about power & politics. Its almost as if a film about Henry VIII is called anti-Protestant, especially if it focuses on his first 2 wives.
Haha good comparison. I don’t see the film as anti catholic. I see it as one possible outcome the conclave could go. That’s the beauty of a conclave, change is possible within Catholicism. I think that’s pretty cool actually.
As for the light artifact, I’m not sure where that is, but sometimes light glints can react funny with the camera lenses. But I’d have to see it to know for sure.
Also, I do think at one point, Lawrence didn’t want it, but at another point, he did based on what the alternative was. That’s part of what made his character arc so interesting.
I did not want your video to end. I wish you would create a part 2.
❤️❤️
Just like I didn’t want Conclave to end. Maybe they will make a sequel I can review. Or we’ll find some other movie gems to talk about. This is just the beginning.
Fantastic analysis. I look forward to more.
@@teresagallagher135 thank you, and I’m glad you enjoyed. Much more to come.
I was impressed with all the detail you showed which really made the film as great as it is.
Awesome, thank you!
I'd like to show this to my writing students who come from film/tv classes.
@@waitronunit41 please do! And of course let them know how to find my channel if they want to learn more. I have new episodes coming out as often as I can.
Thank you very much, Loren!
@@BlueSteth86 my pleasure, glad you enjoyed it @BlueSteth86
Great insights! What impressed me in this film was the sound, yet you didn’t mention it. The resonance of the voices. The careful sound effects when fingers graze surfaces. The judicious use of music. Superb audio!
Agreed, I was hesitant to play too much sound for copyright reasons, but I thought the score complimented the suspenseful and jarring plot line, and the sound effects were evocative themselves. Also, I will say the director Edward Berger told me Ralph Fiennes spent two hours in the sound booth just recording his breathing, because there were so many shots of him just breathing. Pretty cool.
@@LorenBehindTheScreen thank you for taking the time to share those insights :-)
I appreciate you chiming in about the sound. It’s great to have people like yourself who are really into films and how the magic is made. Welcome to my channel!
thank you so much for this review!!!!
it is stunning! how the frames are really perfectly created! like all of them!!!
so glad you enjoyed! lots more to come.
GREAT!!! Yes it's one of those films you notice something new with each viewing, and kept me riveted even on my second time around!! You certainly earned a new subscriber here and am now off to check out more of your videos!!🙋♀
So glad you enjoyed! 🥳
And some shots are really a work of art in huge print - like i could imagine an incredible exhibition with some of the shots!
The exhibition is in the form of moving images, in this case :)
@@LorenBehindTheScreen I knowww! i just come from the arts and to me it was an extremely wonderful experience! :)
thx for the highlights afterwards with your analysis which is super precise and detail oriented! lovelyyyy!
@@katharinahoppel336 it's a gem of a movie, and you clearly have good visual taste. I can't wait for more works of art like this one from Edward Berger.
Excellent review
Much appreciated, and many more to come!
Very insightful review. I did not get the symbolism of the opening walk down the tunnel. I watched the movie on my iPad. With the range of color values, this is really a movie that should be seen in theaters. It was excellent.
@@chipcurry I’m glad this helped your overall viewing experience then.
I came, I saw, I liked, and SUBBED! 👍
Amazing! I'm so glad you enjoyed. Much more coming soon.
I did love how pretty the film looked!
So beautifully crafted
Love the study on the 🎥
Much appreciated. Best movie I’ve seen to study in years.
Just seen the film and really enjoyed this review. Enhanced the experience for me . Thank you .
So glad you enjoyed!
excellent analysis!
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed.
Illuminating!
@@aarondmw-YT an apt word for this movie :)
Such a beautiful video, please keep making videos like this
Thank you so much, and I will, coming out with a new one tomorrow.
Very Profound breakdown indeed. Thank you for such a well done breakdown of this masterpiece. I appreciate it even more now
This movie totally captivated me. I saw it three times. But your video gave me new insights. Grazie!
Subscribed !! ❤
Succinct and clear, not even adding the role of the captivating classical music leitmotif playing into the hands of visuals -
I saw this in the theatre, dubbed since there was no other choice, kiddie movies blasting around the smallest room with 100 ppl max. Not a dull moment.
@@katsweeterly2039 oh yeah, the musical score played perfectly into the tense and shocking process throughout the conclave. Well done on surviving that theater experience and staying in it.
What a great exposition.
Very much appreciated, I’m glad you enjoyed!
I didn't see this movie as anti-Catholic at all. Fiennes in the lead role is a good man. If reviewers think the politicking of the cardinals was bad, they should take a look at historical conclaves that had money openly exchanged, fights breaking out, and two popes being elected purely for political purposes.
I agree with you @FrankinDallas, I don’t see it as anti-catholic either. In fact I see it as a healthy debate on what the cardinals want for their future. There is drama, because humans by nature come with their own flaws. But the conclave ultimately finds a way forward for the Catholic Church, whether everyone likes it or not, that is the process.
I don't either. It shows things are not black and white, that no one's fully evil or good
Beautiful analysis. I loooove your work!!
Thank you so much! Much more to come too.
Great summary and explanation
Subscribed!
Amazing, thank you!
Such a nice informative analysis video.. I just watched the movie and watched your video right after it.please keep doing what you are doing it’s great 👍🏻👍🏻
I’m thrilled to hear that, thank you, and I will! How did you find my video, out of curiosity? Did it pop up in search results?
@@LorenBehindTheScreen yes its showed up in my feeds after I searched for the movie reviews
@@raed_w I'm glad you were able to find and connect to this.
I LOVE THIS FILM. my only complaint is that i felt the cinematography was inconsistent. Most of the shots were perfection, well thought out & composed, & some felt like throw-aways.... i suppose its too much to ask for every shot to be a masterpiece & may actually disrupt the story telling . 💜💚💜💚💜💚 also isabela rosalini is still gorgeous
Thanks for chiming in! I’m not sure which shots you are referring to exactly, but I do know that every film does reshoots after they finish editing the film, to fill in story gaps that aren’t working. It’s possible you might be seeing some added shots that don’t get the same care as the rest. Just one theory.
Brilliant analysis!
Thank you so much!
loved the movie and the video! And you've even met up with the director?! That's fantastic!
@@SielkeNeumann thank you so much! And yes, I feel blessed to be able to talk to these directors.
thank you for this video! loved your insights and observations
@@noone5567 so glad to hear that! And much more to come.
Very excellent broadcast. Thank you. PS My pops name was Loren. Happy New Year
Happy new year to you too, and especially to Loren ;)
I must say as a person who was raised a strict Roman Catholic..(yikes,lol) and have since moved away from religion and God in general.. I found this movie to be fascinating and it may very well be the most interesting movie I've seen this year.... I was hooked from the minute it started... I was hesitant at first because of my current feeling towards the church but pleasantly surprised with This brilliant film
@@jrzygurl I think the film does a good job of balancing the religious aspect with the drama of the conclave itself, and not letting one aspect take over the other. It makes it fun to watch regardless of faith.
Ha. I've walked through that tunnel when I was in rome/Vatican. Pretty cool to see it on screen
Hilarious. How many people walk through tunnels in Rome??? I guess that’s a thing there.
@LorenBehindTheScreen I'm 90% certain it's the tunnel take you across the river timber. But I'm sure a local will know for certain
Great insight and you deserved more subscribers! 👏
Don’t we all? And thank you, so much appreciated!
As a former Catholic, just want to point out one thing. Gold chalices are only used during communion. Nobody drinks from those during a lunch.
I appreciate that. I guess the joke fell a bit flat. Hopefully I got the rest accurately...
You are a non practicing Catholic , not a former Catholic. And you can always come back.
I love a good video essay on Cinema. Nice work, Loren! -LK
@@larrykunofsky6370 thrilled to have you aboard!
@@larrykunofsky6370 OMG I just realized who this is… So glad you enjoyed Larry! But my essay writing will never live up to yours.
Great job Loren
@@pankajevandutta4226 thank you Pankaj, much appreciated.
Excelent video! Thank you! Subscribed!
Welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed.
Just loved this brilliant film
@@churchilljill me too, thanks for chiming in!
Super. Thanks so much!!
I’m glad you enjoyed!
Love the thumbnail.
👍🏻🥳
genius work
Agreed, Edward Berger did an amazing job.
Thank you so much for enriching an already rich movie!
We all win when that happens.
Excellent video. Thanks for sharing your insight of the film.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Tolle Zusammenfassung und Erklärung! Ich war begeistert vom Film, allerdings ging die vorletzte Szene für mich einen Schritt zu weit. Ich hätte es besser gefunden, diese auszulassen und gleich zum Schluss und den Nonnen zu kommen...
This is probably where they stayed true to the book. Definitely pushed the envelope a bit, especially for a religion as old and traditional as Catholicism.
Best movie I’ve seen since The Two Popes.
I’ve heard many references to that series. I gotta check it out.
What a great video
Glad you enjoyed it. Many more to come.
@ I’m just a movie fan but your detail about the production was enlightening.
Now you have 138 subscribers honored!
I will never forget 138
Excuse me, sir. How dare you reveal the mysteries that make this film so great? My appreciation for Berger's masterful work has grown ever more certain and less doubtful now.
As long as some doubt remains, or else you won't believe in Berger's work.
Great soundtrack, too!
The soundtrack was excellent, and complimented the movie perfectly. I just didn’t want to play it for copyright reasons. But thanks for bringing it up here.
Thanks for this. I'm seeing the film next week. I've always found Ralph Fiennes a cold fish of an actor, but he made a good nazi and this sounds like good casting to make him a power broker.
I think this one is his golden goose
I have a problem with some of the costuming....they got some things wrong. The rochet (white garment) worn over the cassock and under the mozetta is too long. It does not extend past the knee and is NEVER at mid calf length.
Very interesting. Perhaps it won’t win best costume design then. Gotta get the little things right.
@@LorenBehindTheScreenread below on costume designers choice of garments. Highly researched.
The alb reaches the ankle
This movie was a true masterpiece! I also saw The Brutalist and just didn’t like it. CONCLAVE is the movie that should be the awards darling and it should really be the one getting all the buzz because this movie really was a master class in movie making and an embarrassment of riches in acting talent.
So good!
@@sandraztavarez3525 I think conclave is such a pleasure to watch from beginning to end. All the characters, even the antagonists, are still enjoyable to watch. It’s a real treat.
@@LorenBehindTheScreenI’ve watched it twice already but I know I will be watching it many more times
@@sandraztavarez3525 I found new details each time I watched it.
Much appreciated. Thanks
Very welcome
Well done!
Thanks for watching!
I think the musical score had a profound effect, too. It backed up the visuals perfectly.
@@bluevol1976 I agree 100%. The score was abrupt and disruptive, just like the twists and turns during the conclave. It heightened the drama and suspense brilliantly.
I have subscribed as yours is the first analysis I have seen which makes sense of the use of light and shadow to convey art in a movie. Dark scenes normally irritate me as it is so hard to see what is happening (and I don't go to horror films) but this is different and I can understand now. Have you ever analysed any Chinese films such as Hidden Blade by Cheng Er, who also uses cinematic effects very artistically? There will be a new film by him to be released this year which may come to the US, called Intercross or Mermaid (the Chinese change their film names a lot!) and I'd be very interested to know what you think of it whenever it comes.
So glad to have you aboard @kaykeelan. It’s great to have others inspired by the art of cinema to talk to. I have not seen hidden blade, but I’ll look that up, and would definitely be up for any new films that come out by Cheng Er. It’s always exciting to discover new classics of cinema, and conclave was just the first of hopefully many more.
@@LorenBehindTheScreen It's relatively rare I think that an actor is so expressive as Fiennes is in this, that even his eyes don't need to be seen to understand his thoughts. He must become absorbed into the character to imbue it with that level of expertise.
@ part of it is also the way he can contort the wrinkles in his face. Those wrinkles come off as layers of wisdom and experience.