Conclave
When the Pope (Bruno Novelli) is found dead in his bed, Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), who had recently asked to step down as Dean of the College of Cardinals and been denied, the Pope noting the need for his managerial skills, finds himself embroiled in scandal and intrigue as the world's cardinals gather in Vatican City. Lawrence must walk a twisty path to ensure a righteous result of the "Conclave."
Laura's Review: B+
Director Edward Berger follows up his 2022 Oscar winner "All Quiet on the Western Front") with Peter Straughan's ("Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy") adaptation of Robert Harris' bestseller. It's a stylish Papal thriller full of twists and turns and just when you think you've figured it all out, the rug is pulled out from under you at the last moment. Ralph Fiennes gives a beautifully layered performance full of inner conflict, pride and humility warring as his Lawrence seeks truth and light amidst a crisis of faith.
No sooner has Lawrence begun to put together the events immediately preceding the Pope's death than he's confronted by Cardinal Tremblay (John Lithgow), who apologizes for not having called the Dean sooner, as he found the Pope's body but took it upon himself to write up a timeline so rumors wouldn't be started. Right off the bat things look suspicious. The Pope's ring is yanked off, then stored in a box with great ceremony. His room is sealed.
Three weeks later and it is the eve of the conclave, cardinals and archbishops pouring into Vatican City from around the world, factions forming in support of various candidates. The liberal Lawrence and his friend Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci), the latter of whom is favored by the press to succeed, clearly want no part of ultra conservative Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto, "Mostly Martha"), who they believe will set the Church backwards, and who shows his hand by pulling Lawrence aside to insist the Pope should be Italian, or otherwise they might end up with 'nods towards Nigerian Cardinal Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati, TV's 'Gangs of London'),' who would be the first African Pope. Then Lawrence hears from Cardinal O'Malley (Brían F. O'Byrne, "Million Dollar Baby's" priest) that guilt-ridden Wozniak (Jacek Koman, "Defiance"), whose excessive drinking has been noticed, confided Trembley was sacked by the Pope for gross misconduct by the Pope during his last meeting. A terrorist bomb goes off causing vibrations to be felt, but the sequestered cardinals must be kept in the dark about outside news. And a Mexican cardinal arrives who no one's ever heard of, Benitez (Carlos Diehz in his feature film debut), kept secret by the Pope because of his dangerous assignment as Kabul's archbishop - O'Malley's tasked with looking into his background, which appears exemplary except for a concerning visit to a clinic.
Lawrence surprises the assembled with his opening remarks, telling them 'One sin disturbs me above all others - certainty,' which he claims to be the enemy of unity and tolerance. 'Let us ask for a Pope who has doubts, who sins and asks for forgiveness and carries on.' The first round of votes puts Adeyemi in the lead, with both Tedesco and Bellini making strong showings, Lawrence surprised to get five votes. The mysterious Benitez gets one as well, but there is no majority and as voting rounds continue, Lawrence is frustrated by his count's rise and Bellini's drop, leading to an accusation of ambition from his friend. Lawrence learns Benitez is one of his staunchest supporters and begs the man to discontinue his support. Benitez refuses and the drama continues, Lawrence concerned about so many candidates, he breaks the seal to the Pope's room, discovering something shocking. It won't be the last. And while Bellini advises him to keep the information quiet, they will all be surprised when Sister Agnes (Isabella Rossellini), responsible for quietly providing services like meals, publicly denounces one of them.
This is a very political film featuring all kinds of secrets, scandal and skullduggery, eavesdropping at closed doors one of the more minor sins. We witness even those we believe pure of heart falter amidst those of far lesser scruples, and even after a new Pope is chosen, O'Malley delivers one more concerning tidbit for Lawrence to address. Berger's production, filmed at Rome's Cinecittà Studios, is striking, production designer Suzie Davies' ("Saltburn") choices reminding of the old riddle about what 'is black and white and red all over,' cinematographer Stéphane Fontaine ("Jackie," "Ammonite") celebrating the vastness of lofty Vatican spaces while also following figures into the shadowy corners. Volker Bertelmann's (2022's "All Quiet on the Western Front") bracing score features stark strings running up and down the scale.
"Conclave" is an extremely satisfying adult entertainment of a type seen too infrequently at the multiplex these days. Berger keeps us on the edge of our seats, always waiting for another shoe to drop, but when the last one does, Fiennes' expression tells us the Pope who wouldn't let Lawrence quit made the right decision.
Focus Features releases "Conclave" in theaters on 10/25/24.
