Sonofamoviegeek

I love a movie that is faithful to the book and doesn't try to "improve" the plot by tarting up the ending or adding needless violence. Conclave is faithful to Harris' original to the point of incorporating factual errors. Even that ending that no one seems to like is faithful to the original. If there are any changes to the book, it is due to casting. Ralph Fiennes' character is originally Italian, not English. To his credit, he does speak passable Italian at many points of the movie. Todesco is an uncouth peasant in the book but the makers chose to cast an Italian romantic movie star.

One subtle addition occurs just before the controversial ending A breeze rustles the papers on Lawrence's desk. Wind (ruach, pneuma) is the symbol of the Holy Spirit, putting the stamp of God om the Conclave's vote.

Excellent adaptation.

I love Polish film. They make by movies Poles for Poles. There are many better movies about LGBTQ characters but this movies must be watched to see how the subject is portrayed in conservative Roman Catholic Poland. "Loretta" must travel to Paris to come out of the closet which shows right at the start Poland's lack of acceptance of LGBTQ persons. Loretta's return ultimately becomes warm and polite after the initial coldness and rejection.

As a pioneering effort in LGBTQ movies, Queen has flaws aplenty. The recovery of both "Loretta" and Wioletta from the kidney transplant is too swift. Another obvious example is that "Loretta" is not a very good drag queen. The charm of drag shows is the exaggerated movements of men imitating women. See Priscilla Queen of the Desert for drag done properly.

Despite the flaws, Queen is worth seeing as a feelgood movie without any gratuitous car chases.