The drama behind the election of a Pope has been done to various degrees of success by Hollywood before, notably 1968’s pulpy The Shoes Of The Fisherman, and 2019’s wonderfully literate The Two Popes with Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins in an imagined story of the rise of the current Pope Francis and retiring Pope Benedict. But now with Conclave, adapted by Peter Straughan from the Robert Harris novel and directed by recent Oscar winner Edward Berger (All Quiet On The Western Front), we have a papal election thriller that rivals anything a political party could dream up. To put it succinctly in literary terms, this one is a real page-turner. In pure cinematic turns it is a barn-burning thriller. A superbly crafted — in every respect — stunning dramatic achievement, this is the kind of well-regarded, praiseworthy adult drama that used to be a staple for studios but now is an increasingly rare bird.
It actually could have made a riveting Broadway play, but Berger, with the help of cinematographer Stephane Fontaine and production designer Suzie Davies, has made this dialogue-heavy story truly cinematic and about as gripping a story imaginable. The Pope has unexpectedly died, victim they believe of a heart attack, and now the process must begin in the college of Cardinals to elect his successor. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is the Dean of Cardinals and tasked with running the election, something he is dedicated to doing with all the proper pomp and circumstance as tradition and fairness requires. What he is thrust into is something altogether unexpected, and potentially scandalous, as all eyes focus on a group of contenders, wannabes and political firebrands, to name a few.
There is Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci), a close confidante of the Pope who is still grieving, but an upstanding possibility. There is ultra-conservative Tedesco (Sergio Castellito) who wants to take the church back at least 50 years (think Trump). We have the aggressively ambitious Trembley (John Lithgow) who may stop at nothing to achieve his goal of ascension to the highest place in the church. There is also Ayeyemi (Lucian Msamati) of Nigeria who could be poised to become the first-ever Black Pope should he be elected.
Adding to the impending drama in Conclave is the last-minute arrival of an unknown new Cardinal, a mystery man no one had known about, Benitez (Carlos Diehz in his film debut) of Kabul, who apparently was selected to join the college by the Pope before his sudden death. Who will gain his support?
As the various ballots are taken, the numbers change but no one is able to muster a majority needed, and even a reluctant Dean Lawrence is given some votes, though he has no interest in becoming Pope. Malley (Brian F. O’Byrne) is the man in the Vatican basically charged with vetting the emerging candidates to make sure no scandal in any of their backgrounds arises, but that is exactly what happens when he informs Lawrence of a serious problem uncovered with Ayeyemi. How did this game changer emerge just as Ayeyemi was gaining support? And also, what happened in a meeting that the Pope privately had with Trembley when he apparently had asked for his resignation? Adding to all the intrigue going on is a Sister, Agnes (Isabella Rossellini), who seems to know quite a bit.
All of this is played out in deliberately-paced conversations as the ballots continue and various fortunes of the Cardinals change. To say more would be critical malpractice but this will have you on the edge of your seat right up to the twists to be revealed.
Fiennes has one of his best roles, certainly his finest screen opportunity in several years and he 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 here, as is the wonderful Lithgow who is terrific as the duplicitous Cardinal out for himself. Castellito is right on the money, as is the stoic Msamati. Rossellini is very fine, and Diehz makes a highly impressive debut.
Oscar winner Volker Bertelmann’s towering score never overwhelms the actions but immeasurably adds to the pace. Berger, as he did in All Quiet On The Western Front, expertly steers this ever-unwinding high drama but never takes his eye off the human element in a environment where we don’t often see the humanity and flaws so vividly displayed. Controversial issues within the Vatican and the Catholic Church are not overlooked either but balanced nicely as the story proceeds. Conclave, making its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, is unquestionably one of the year’s finest achievements.
Producers are Tessa Ross and Juliette Howell, Michael A. Jackman, Robert Harris, Alice Dawson.
Title: Conclave
Festival: Telluride Film Festival
Distributor: Focus Features
Director: Edward Berger
Screenplay: Peter Straughan
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, Sergio Castellito, Carlos Diehz, Lucian Msamati, Brian F. O’Byrne
Rating: PG
Running Time: 2 Hours
Release Date: November 8, 2024