Overview
After the unexpected death of the Pope, Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with managing the covert and ancient ritual of electing a new one. Sequestered in the Vatican with the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders until the process is complete, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could lead to its downfall.
From Edward Berger, who gave us the marvellous All Quiet on the Western Front in 2022, and adapted from the novel by Robert Harris, Conclave is a mystery drama set within the conclave of Cardinals in the wake of the passing of the Pope. Locked away from the outside world, the voting begins to elect a new head of the church, with Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) in charge of the running of the voting. However, mysteries start to arise around the main candidates, with political stances, religious doctrine agendas, and an unknown Cardinal arriving that force Lawrence to begin investigations into the worthiness of the choices, whilst also confronting his own challenge of faith that he has been suffering.
This is a film that has kind of been mis-sold in the trailers, which make it look like a Da Vinci Code-esque thriller, when in actuality it is more a heavy political conspiracy drama set within the Vatican. There’s not much action – despite the trailer suggesting so by showing one scene reflecting on threats from outside the Vatican – as it is a very dialogue heavy mystery… and as such it was much better than I anticipated it to be.
Led by Fiennes, the cast are all wonderfully placed in their parts. John Lithgow is always a dependable presence, and here as Cardinal Tremblay, who may be involved in a cover up conspiracy, he shines. Sergio Castellitto plays Cardinal Tedesco, who wants to see the church return to classic values, and take a stance against the progressiveness of the church in recent years, and he plays the part with quiet menace. Isabella Rossellini as Sister Agnes, the head caterer and housekeeper, who is meant to be seen but not heard casts a quiet presence through most of the film before she gets a chance to break with the rulings to deliver an impactful moment of reflection. Stanley Tucci is always a pleasure on screen, and as Cardinal Bellini, who initially doesn’t care for the position as Pope, he plays a fine act throughout as the pressures of who will be voted in open up his true feelings. But it is in Carlos Diehz as Cardinal Benitez, that the film really finds its heart. As a little known Mexican archbishop who has worked in war torn locations his becomes a key element of the drama, and also offers some of the most thought provoking analysis of the church, all delivered with a quiet and unassuming method.
Shot beautifully by cinematographer Stephane Fontaine, this is a beautiful looking film throughout, taking advantage of the set design to replicate the grandeur of the Sistine Chapel, but also with an almost prison like look to the sealed off conclave.
Beautiful to look at, and compelling performances delivering weighty dialogue that draws you in and carries you through to the end, Berger’s film is an intelligent drama about faith, corruption, and conspiracy set within the walls of the head of the church, and is certainly one to watch.