CONCLAVE (2024) - Movie Review

Director: Edward Berger
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, Isabella Rossellini, Carlos Diehz
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Writer: Peter Straughan
Runtime: 120 min
Rated: Rated PG for thematic material and smoking.
Buy This Movie: Blu-ray (Amazon), DVD (Amazon), 4K Ultra HD (Amazon), Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

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Synopsis:

Conclave follows one of the world's most secretive and ancient events–selecting a new pope. The Church's most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world, locked together in the Vatican halls. Tasked with running this covert process, Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) finds himself at the center of a conspiracy and discovers a secret that could shake the very foundation of The Church. Also starring Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini and directed by Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front).

Review:

"All Quiet on the Western Front" director Edward Berger is back into the awards season fray with the Vatican-set thriller "Conclave", which is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris. Ralph Fiennes leads an incredible ensemble cast as British Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, who following the death of the Pope, is tasked with organizing a conclave for the College of Cardinals to elect a papal succesor. The daunting endeavor is further complicated not only by secrets and scandals that threaten to derail the future of the Catholic Church, but also Lawrence's own crisis of faith.

The film is a thoughtful exploration of the Catholic Church's place in our ever-evolving modern world, struggling between progressive and traditionalist points of view, and the corruption that errodes its values and legitimacy. However, it's also an intimate character portrait of a man of faith who must reconcile his beliefs in a context of events that have more to do with politics than spirituality.

These though-provoking themes are enveloped in the gripping tension of a political thriller, and as the stakes get higher, so does the drama. It's a slow boil for sure, which won't be for everyone, but it's masterful storytelling at its best, that never once feels like the filmmaker is exploiting the subject matter. It has plenty of depth, but also lots of twisty plot turns. There were moments where I felt it could have delved deeper, but it mostly does a great job dealing with challenging and timely themes.

Fiennes is a fantastic actor, and his graceful portrayal of Lawrence's ruminations is awards-worthy and fascinating. He's also backed up by veterans like Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini who turn in understated, but powerful performances that pack a punch despite their limited screen time. Saying that the movie is a "masterclass in acting" is an understatement. All the performances in this movie don't even feel like acting. The actors simply disappear into their roles.

"Conclave" is a perfectly balanced, thoroughly entertaining and elegantly constructed movie that is both a fascinating peek into the inner workings of the Vatican and an engrossing character drama. The production design is incredible, it's beautifully shot and edited, and features an effectively atmospheric score by Oscar-winner Volker Bertelmann. For me it's one of 2024's best films, and while it definitely won't be everyone's cup of tea, I highly recommend you watch it and judge for yourself.

SCORE: 9/10