"Conclave" (2024)

Many consider 2024 to be a weak year for film. I count myself among these people, perhaps because I haven’t gotten around to seeing many of the movies (particularly animated ones) that are likely the best. One of the biggest arguments for the weakness of the year is that one of the two best movies of the year, and likely the best non-animated film of all 2024 is based on a rather shallow airport novel.

Conclave poses as a deep political thriller with a lot to say about religion, politics, and the machinations within the institution of the Catholic Church. However, once one gets bast the beautiful cinematography and the great acting, one begins to realize that the actual content of the script, the speeches and ideas being discussed, are the most vacuous possible. Supposedly there is a deep battle in the church between the “liberals” and the “conservatives” but the content of either side seems to be no more than belonging to their respective tribes. They are so absolutely convinced of their positions that they never even utter what their positions are.

Perhaps—thought doubtfully so—this is all a part of the overarching message. The most though provoking and only thoughtful speech in the whole film comes when the protagonist declares a need for a religious leader who experiences doubt. The positions are so entrenched that there is no discussion, no debate, no meeting of the minds within the leadership of the church. This is actually a great message. Beyond the faith in God and a trust and dependance upon Him, there is little room in the Christian faith for dogmatic interpretations of the sort that the Catholic Church is known for. The Church considers the teaching of its Popes, and the vast history of its teaching—its interpretation of Scripture to be equal to that Scripture. It could even be argued that its tradition trumps Scripture where is disagrees with (or expands on) it.

Christianity is nest lived out in utter humility towards God and His word. Where our interpretations go beyond what the Bible clearly says, there needs to be a high degree of humility and even doubt in our ability to know God’s mind. Whatever He has not revealed is beyond our knowledge.