Conclave is an excellent film about the process of selecting a new pope after the death of the current pope. The film features a strong cast and was directed by Oscar nominee Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front). The film was written by Oscar nominee Peter Straughan (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and Robert Harris, based on his 2016 book Conclave.
Cardinal Lawrence, played by two-time Oscar nominee Ralph Fiennes (The English Patient, Schindler’s List), is the Dean of the College of Cardinals. It is his responsibility to preside over the College of Cardinals, sequestered in a special dormitory to select the next pope by vote. Cardinal Lawrence has no interest in being the next pope. In fact, he has had doubts, finds it hard to pray, and recently had asked the Pope to be relieved of his duties, but the Pope rejected his resignation. Continue reading →
This film is directed by Gavin O’Connor (Jane Got a Gun). The screenplay is by Bill Dubuque (The Judge). It features a strong cast, including two Oscar winners, Ben Affleck (Argo and Good Will Hunting), and J.K. Simmons (Whiplash), and two Oscar nominees Anna Kendrick (Up in The Air), and John Lithgow (Terms of Endearment and The World According to Garp).
The film features a complicated plot with a number of flashbacks and surprises. Ben Affleck portrays Christian Wolff, who is a highly functioning autistic. His parents break up after disagreeing how he is to be treated. Christian’s controlling military father (Robert C. Traveiler) is extremely hard on the young Christian (played by Seth Lee) and his brother Brax (played as an adult by Jon Bernthal). Christian’s father wants him to be able to defend himself, as he knows he will be picked on throughout his life.
We see a grown-up Christian working as a freelance accountant in an office at a strip mall in Plainfield, Illinois. He is a loner who has incredible abilities with math, and is uncomfortable socially.
Ray King (played by J.K. Simmons) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury Crime Enforcement Division, begins to investigate Christian. He blackmails Marybeth Medina, an analyst played by Cynthia Addai-Robinson to track down Christian.
Christian takes on a legitimate client Living Robotics, led by Lamar Black, played by John Lithgow. He is contacted by Black’s sister Rita Blackburn, (Jean Smart) to track down the $61 million discrepancy found by accountant Dana Cummins (Anna Kendrick), just before the company is to go public. This puts the lives of both Christian and Dana in danger.
The film is rated “R” for a significant amount of violence and adult language, including the abuse of God’s and Jesus’ names. Ben Affleck delivers a strong performance as the violent autistic Christian, and the other cast members give solid performances. The multiple plotlines made this a film that you need to pay close attention to, but I thought there were too many plot holes.
Conclave, rated PG
The Accountant, rated R