Film Review — “Conclave”

The Pope is dead. Now to elect a new one. This is the movie “Conclave,” getting lots of buzz.

It’s a sumptuous production, with a great cast, and much compelling drama. Though I frankly found it somewhat hokey.

I wouldn’t exactly say predictable. However, I guessed quite early the seemingly unlikely “dark horse” who’s ultimately elected. And that an ostensibly pointless brief mention of a Switzerland trip would later prove significant.

Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) presides over the conclave, of the Roman Catholic Church’s 100+ strong “college of cardinals,” gathering in the Sistine ...