Conclave & We Live in Time

As a papal thriller, "Conclave" is a very entertaining film. HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano talk about it during a podcast episode in which they are careful not to reveal any spoilers in the intrigue-laden plot about cardinals gathering at the Vatican to elect a new pope. There are excellent performances by Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and others; and you can't go visually wrong with all of those red-robed cardinals in the foreground and religious artwork in the background. Although the plot twist-fueled story may be borderline-ridiculous at times and the whole film only plumbs the thematic surface, it sure is fun to watch. Marie and Mike also talk about the weepie "We Live in Time," whose romantic pairing of Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield is nearly ruined by a nonlinear editing strategy that is slightly confusing and, in any event, does not enhance our understanding of their characters. There are other films more deserving of your time.