Conclave

UK Release Date. 29 November 2024
Certification. 12A
Running Time. 2 hours
Director. Edward Berger
Cast. Sergio Castellitto, Carlos Diehz, Ralph Fiennes, John Lithgow, Lucian Msamati, Isabella Rossellini. Stanley Tucci.
Rating. 77%

Review.

Edward Berger’s Conclave centres on one of the world’s most ancient and secretive events - the selection of a new Pope.

Based on Robert Harris’ 2016 novel, and adapted for the screen by Peter Straughan, the script is a masterclass in sharp, intelligent and economical storytelling which gives the audience only what is required at any one time and not a sliver more. 

Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), the Dean of the College of Cardinals is tasked with running the conclave - the covert process shrouded in secrecy to decide upon a successor - after the unexpected death of the pontiff. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the hallowed chambers of The Sistine Chapel, Cardinal Lawrence uncovers a trail of deep secrets left in the dead Pope’s wake. Secrets which have the potential to shake the foundations of the church. 

The main contenders are,

• The seemingly reluctant, liberal and progressive candidate, Cardinal Aldo Bellini (Stanley Tucci) 
• The outspoken traditionalist, the reactionary Italian Cardinal Goffredo Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto)
• The more political US candidate, Cardinal Joseph Tremblay (John Lithgow), who for all his outward soft-spoken humility, clearly has lofty ambitions 
• The popular Nigerian Cardinal Joshua Adeyemi Lucian Msamati), who is bidding to be the first African Pope.

Cardinal Lawrence is exactly the type of character who deserves to be played by an actor of the calibre of Ralph Fiennes. His gentleness, tolerance and appealing moral fibre initially draws you in, but his complex background and struggles with frequent uncertainty ensures you are enthralled throughout the duration of the film. It is a perfect role for Fiennes, who manages to portray placidity and intensity - sometimes, somehow, at once.

Suspense is established not just by the masterfully orchestrated construction of shots, but also by the powerful yet restrained score from Academy Award-winning composer Volker Bertelsmann, who knows exactly when to ramp up the tension by injecting ominous strings, and when to allow deliberate silence to amplify the impact of mysterious footsteps or muffled voices. 

Given how few intelligent, high-class thrillers of this scale actually make it to the big screen, Conclave should be celebrated widely.