Film Review - Conclave

Ralph Fiennes heads a top-notch cast in Edward Berger's riveting adaptation of Robert Harris's novel

Credit: Black Bear/Focus Features

A two-hour drama depicting deliberations over who will be the next Pope may sound dull, but Conclave is anything but. Edward Berger’s adaptation of Robert Harris’s novel is never less than riveting. It is also thought-provoking and resonant in unexpected ways. Those fearing inaccessible theological pontification should not feel put off giving this a watch.

The plot is essentially self-explanatory, given the title. After the Pope dies, the College of Cardinals in the Vatican, under the supervision of Cardinal-Dean Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), get together to decide who will be his successor. Despite the outwardly religious nature of this gathering, in which the Holy Spirit is believed to guide the various rounds of voting (a candidate must gain a two-thirds majority), traditionalist, moderate, and liberal factions inevitably clash. Intrigue, corruption, lies, and dark secrets are very much the order of the day. Amid all this, Cardinal Lawrence, currently undergoing his own crisis of faith (not about God, but about the church), tries to navigate these choppy theological waters, determined to appoint the right person.

Those unfamiliar with papal procedure will get a good grounding in Peter Straughan’s screenplay. Without getting bogged down, it depicts the fascinating minutiae of conclave tradition, focusing on the shuttered rooms where the sequestered stay, their travel bag toiletries, stationery, who provides the meals (the nuns), as well as the more dramatic aspects. For instance, the Cardinals are cut off from outside news or anything that may influence their judgement. They are essentially placed in lockdown until they come up with a successor, however long that may take. This proves particularly tricky for Cardinal Lawrence when damning accusations are made against one particular candidate, and he is only able to investigate via third parties.

Fiennes is predictably brilliant in the lead, playing a man of sincere faith despite his despair over the squabbling Cardinals and their Machiavellian machinations. Elsewhere, Stanley Tucci heads a top-notch supporting cast. Let’s face it: Tucci could read the phone book and sound compelling. John Lithgow is equally gripping, and Sergio Castellitto, Lucian Msamati, Carlos Diehz, and Isabella Rossellini also contribute fine performances. I’m loath to give too much away about the mysteries, twists, and turns, suffice it to say this goes to unexpected and provocative places.

Directorially, Berger makes fine use of widescreen space and Rome locations, with sets cleverly replicating the Sistine Chapel. Striking images, some of which are shown in the trailer, include a remarkable overhead vista showing the Cardinals passing a fountain in the rain, all carrying white umbrellas. In this sea of red and white, one disgraced figure doesn’t carry an umbrella; a subtle, easily missed touch.

Obviously, I’m not saying who that is for fear of spoilers. That also makes it impossible to discuss why dramatic revelations in the finale could offend conservative sensibilities. Yet it is worth stating that said revelations are both dramatically effective and a lot closer to a traditional viewpoint than they may first appear. This aspect will doubtless be debated by Catholic and non-Catholic Christians alike.

But it isn’t just believers who will find this film engaging. All audiences will feel drawn in due to Conclave’s familiar study of the human condition amid the electoral process. A universally resonant catalogue of idealism, blind self-interests, doubt, guesswork, biases, pragmatism, regressive or reformist urges, and hope our vote will make a difference, brings to mind what we all go through amid the democratic process. Despite the spiritual trappings, these aren’t just papal ponderings but difficult choices faced by everyone at the ballot box.

Conclave is also a damn good Oscar-tipped thriller with cracking performances from a top-notch cast, so you might want to see it for that reason too.

(Originally published at Medium.)

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