Conclave
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
2 January 2025
Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence
Following the sudden and unexpected death of a well loved Pope, victim they believe of a heart attack, Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), Dean of the College of Cardinals, a position that places him second in Vatican seniority after the Pope himself, is tasked with leading one of the world’s most secretive and ancient rituals, the conclave of Cardinals to select the next Pope.
But as the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders gather from around the world in Rome and are locked together cut off from the outside world, Lawrence uncover secrets and dirty deeds left in the dead Pope’s wake, secrets which could shake the very foundations of the Church…
A wildly entertaining balancing act of egos, passive-aggressive battles quietly fought by self-proclaimed righteous men, the Cardinals are soon jostling for position (and votes) but acting more like Mafia godfathers than men of god.
This pulse-racing film from Edward Berger (he was also behind the multi award-winning All Quiet On The Western Front – winner of the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film) is a gripping papacy thriller to rival anything a political party could dream up.
With a first-rate screenplay, adapted by Peter Straughan from the Robert Harris novel, and superb cast, it is a complete knockout with a final twist that you really will not see coming. It reminds you of the kind of satisfying, meaty filmmaking Hollywood in its heyday turned out, but is so rare to see now.
So who are the contenders? Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci), a close confidante of the Pope who is still grieving, is thought to be an early front runner. Then there is ultra-conservative Italian Tedesco (Sergio Castellito) who wants to take the church back at least 50 years; the aggressively ambitious US Cardinal Trembley (John Lithgow) who may stop at nothing to achieve his goal of ascension to the highest place in the church; and Ayeyemi (Lucian Msamati) of Nigeria. Could he be poised to become the first-ever Black Pope? Throw in is the last-minute arrival of Benitez (Carlos Diehz, in his film debut) as a mystery Cardinal from Afghanistan no one had actually known the existence of before the Pope’s death. Also adding to all the intrigue is a Sister, Agnes (Isabella Rossellini), who seems to know quite a bit about scandal and skullduggery.
As the ballot is repeatedly taken, voting numbers change but no one is able to muster the majority needed, and even a reluctant Lawrence scoops up some votes, although he says he has no interest in becoming Pope. The process will have you on the edge of your seat.
Fiennes gives his finest screen performance in years, and delivers a poignant turn as a man who is loyal to his duties but starting to question his own faith in the process. Tucci, always fine, is exceptional, as is the wonderful Lithgow who is terrific as the duplicitous Cardinal out for himself. Rossellini is pitch perfect in a scenestealing supporting role.
On top of the top drawer script and fine acting on display, the film looks absolutely gorgeous – how could it not with Rome’s beautiful architecture front and centre? The production design is all the more remarkable because the cast and crew were not allowed to film anywhere inside the Vatican City itself. Photography and filming – even by tourists – is not allowed inside the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel so the creative team had access to old footage and images, as well as Catholic advisors and experts who could provide inside information, and everything then had to be created, either on a stage at Cinecittà Studios or on location. Luckily there was an existing Sistine Chapel set in storage at Cinecittà Studios, which was restored for the production, and interiors of Italy’s Royal Palace of Caserta stood in for the Vatican City. The results are truly wonderous.
The film is a shoo-in for Oscar and BAFTA nominations – it has already received six Golden Globe nominations and a stunning 11 Critics Choice Award nominations, tied for the lead with Wicked.
Definitely one of the very best films of 2024.
