When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundation of the Catholic Church.
Chuck says:
Arresting from the first moment to the last, Edward Berger’s “Conclave” looks at the current state of the Catholic Church, an institution at a crossroads, through an intriguing mystery involving backdoor politics, past transgressions and long held secrets. This adaptation of the novel by Robert Harris does what the best of stories do, simultaneously entertaining and informing the audience, before ultimately delivering an out-of-left-field conclusion that will likely leave the viewer gob smacked.
No time is wasted as we witness the death of pope and the immediate steps taken to replace him. This task falls to Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), who is tasked with summoning his peers to Vatican City for a conclave, a meeting in which the most powerful men in the Catholic Church will meet to choose their next leader. Once they arrive, the 121 cardinals eligible to vote will be sequestered until a decision is made, and that is when the intrigue begins.
Frontrunners emerge from the diverse group. Bellini (Stanley Tucci) is modest, yet strong, adhering to more progressive policies of inclusion in the church. His counterpart is Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto), a conservative who would take the organization backwards, to the days of Latin liturgies and opposition to birth control. Tremblay (John Lithgow) splits the difference with his middle-of-the-road approach, though he has a personal agenda that is of concern. However, Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati) of Nigeria seems to have the most support and looks to be a lock in becoming the first Black pontiff.
As the numerous rounds of voting take place, support for these candidates fluctuate, while two dark horses emerge. Archbishop Benitez (Carlos Diehz) of Kabul, a man none of them know as he was secretly named to his position by the previous pope, upsets the plans of those angling for the job, and Lawrence himself, who is reluctant to take the job.
Of course, nothing is quite what it seems and as the film progresses, one surprise after another occurs, exposing dark secrets and underhanded dealings that speak to the all-too human desires of these men of God. Berger’s brilliant pacing sees these revelations coming at a steady pace but not so quickly that we aren’t allowed to digest their import and implications. He deftly plays the audience, allowing the viewer to catch their breath before broadsiding us with yet another twist.
The script is very smart, while the layered characters prove intriguing, brought to life by the veteran cast who obviously relished playing such complex men. Fiennes is required to shoulder most of the burden and seeing him juggle Lawrence’s responsibility of appearing impartial and strong, with moments of doubt and insecurity give the actor a wonderful showcase for his talents. All of the others exceed as well, each given moments of strength and vulnerability that ground the movie. Isabella Rossellini makes an impact as well as Sister Agnes, lurking in the background until compelled to act in a key moment.
As for the ending, it’s likely to create controversy and will be discarded by some as too ridiculous to be considered. No question, it’s an outlandish turn of events, yet necessary to drive home Harris’ theme. The degree of social upheaval that has occurred in the past 50 years have tested organizations like the Catholic Church, each forced to reckon with them while staying true to their tenets. This is a challenge not only facing institutions but individuals as well, “Conclave” ultimately suggesting that acceptance is the only true path for any organization or person that wishes to endure and thrive.
3 1/2 Stars
