visualverse25

The series mainly follows the journey of Dr. Prabhat after his new posting at a Primary Health Centre in an Indian village called Bhatkandi. Prabhat, who is very idealistic, and full of enthusiasm, and optimism, gets his first reality check the moment he steps into the village. From not getting any patients to not understanding the vibes of the villagers, Prabhat endures it all. It's not only his journey to improve the rural healthcare but also a personal exploration of himself.

Once again, TVF excels in potraying the intricacies of the village life quite well. The nuances, the camaraderie among the villagers, even their enmities are well represented. It's far from a rosy, cozy picture. Village politics are very much real and have been showcased quite well. Everything wrapped in a layer of comedy. The challenges of rural healthcare are presented in a lighter way; nonetheless, it's a good effort.

Having said all that, I must admit, this is yet to reach the level of Panchayat. I know that I should not have that high of an expectation but I have compared it to the first season of 'Panchayat' to keep it fair. The chemistry between the core characters need more time to develop and if they're going to make a season 2 (which was certainly hinted at the end of the season), that should be a key focus. There are some similarities with 'Panchayat' which just made me feel like they were using a template. Much Like 'Panchayat', the first two episodes were a bit rough and then it picked up. Then there's glimpses of a love interest, frustration of the main character. Well, the comparisons would be inevitable, but I believe they should try to steer away from leaning heavily on the template.

The film expertly blends drama, faith, and humanity with a compelling sense of thrill. Ralph Fiennes, in particular, delivers a graceful and commanding performance as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence. The narrative largely centers on his character, portraying him as the steady hand guiding the complex proceedings. Cardinal Lawrence is beautifully written, and Fiennes truly embodies the role.

The script effectively balances drama, suspense, and emotion. The political maneuvering within the College of Cardinals forms the central narrative and is portrayed in such a way that the film could easily be classified as a political thriller.

The supporting cast, including Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Carlos Diehz, Sergio Castellitto, and Isabella Rossellini, all play their pivotal parts exceptionally well. A special mention goes to Isabella Rossellini for her impactful portrayal of Sister Agnes, a character who, despite limited screen time, leaves a lasting impression.

Technically, the film is also impressive. The cinematography in certain parts is nothing short of masterful, while the score and sound design significantly enhanced the scenes, adding a new layer of intensity and depth to the storytelling.

But, there's always a but. While largely great and very enjoyable, the final twist felt somewhat underdeveloped, unfortunately causing a drop in the rhythm of an otherwise beautifully crafted film.

Despite that minor critique, "Conclave" is a film well worth watching. I highly recommend it.

The series starts well but loses its pace soon after in the name of investigation. The audience keeps wondering when the actual investigation would take place, as it focuses on everything from personal demons to surrounding pressures except the core investigation. It takes until Episode 5 (out of 6 episodes) for the series to truly get going, and the last two episodes are undoubtedly the best of this series.

Robert De Niro excels, and I think there's no doubt about his acting prowess. However, I feel a powerful actor like Angela Bassett was underutilized, and somehow her performance isn't up to the mark, possibly due to a sub-par script and weak dialogues.

Overall, it's a slow, uneventful series that has a very interesting and engaging plot on paper, but the makers fail to capitalize on it. It only truly excels because of the powerful acting and the strength of its final two episodes.