CONCLAVE
(director: Edward Berger; screenwriters: Peter Straughan, book by Robert Harris; cinematographer: Stephane Fontane; editor: Nick Emerson; music: Volker Bertelmann; cast: Ralph Fiennes (Lawrence), John Lithgow (Tremblay), Jacek Koman (Wozniak), Lucian Msamati (Adeyemi), Stanley Tucci (Bellini), Brían F. O’Byrne (O’Malley), Carlos Diehz (Benitez), Merab Ninidze (Sabbadin), Thomas Loibl (Mandorff), Sergio Castellitto (Tedesco), Isabella Rossellini (Sister Agnes), Bruno Novelli (Dead Pope); Runtime: 120; MPAA Rating: PG; producers: Tessa Ross, Michael A. Jackman, Alice Dawson, Robert Harris, Juliette Howell; Access Entertainment/Focus Features; 2024-UK/USA-in English, Italian, Spanish, Latin, and English subtitles)
“Intriguing pulpy religious thriller about a fictionalized papal election.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
The outstanding German filmmaker Edward Berger (“All Quiet on the Western Front”/”Jack”) directs this intriguing pulpy religious thriller about a fictionalized papal election in contemporary times. It’s written by the playwright Peter Straughan based on the paperback airport novel by Robert Harris.
The Dean of Cardinals, Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), organizes in secret a conclave after the death of the current progressive pope (Bruno Novelli), who appointed him to that lofty position. He sides with the reluctant US candidate Bellini (Stanley Tucci), whose liberalism opposes the more traditional conservative Italian Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto). Also in the pope competition is the more influential American, the imperious Tremblay (John Lithgow), the Black popular Nigerian Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati) and Benitez (Carlos Diehz), a mysterious contender working in Kabul.
Lawrence believes his choice of Bellini is the best one to shake up things in an outdated Vatican that at last has made some needed social changes and reluctantly bends the rules to favor him. Meanwhile Lawrence attracts attention and gains supporters who want to elect him, even as he discourages these supporters. Its a treat to observe him deal with his own morality issues and those morality wishes of the Catholic Church.
The thriller moves at a pleasingly fast pace and the character actors give rich performances in a rather chatty film. Isabella Rossellini is great as an observant nun, who is in just a few scenes but makes a memorable impression.
The thriller ultimately asks if by modernizing such an established religion will it lose its identity, and if electing a Black pope who is anti-gay will that still be considered a progressive move. A twist in its conclusion, which I applaud, should bring on controversy and further discussion after the film, as it states for its church leaders that “we are mortal men and not idealists.”
The crowd-pleasing film kept me interested throughout.
It played at the Telluride Film Festival.
REVIEWED ON 10/21/2024 GRADE: A-
dennisschwartzreviews.com