Conclave is one of those films that demands to be seen due to the talent behind it. Filmmaker Edward Berger crafted one of the most influential war films of all time when he made All Quiet on the Western Front for Netflix, so his next project was always going to gain the same amount of attention and anticipation. This brings us to Conclave, a faith-based dramatic thriller that’s set around the titular moment where Cardinals are brought together to pick the next person to be the Pope. Films such as Angels & Demons and The Two Popes have looked into the process before, but this film dives deep into the selection process and shows audiences the meticulous methods it takes to hand-pick one man to be the voice between God and the people.
Ralph Fiennes plays Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, and it is Thomas who becomes our eyes and ears throughout the film. He is a neutral party so to speak. He has no intention of becoming pope and he has his eyes set on Aldo Bellini to become the Pope, with Bellini being played with relish by Stanley Tucci. John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, Lucian Msamati and Carlos Diehz play other Cardinals in the running to become the next leader within Vatican City. There is an air of politics in the film as the process has a democratic sensibility to it, but as Thomas learns more secrets about each Cardinal his faith is wavered and he begins to question if anyone is actually best suited for the role.
There are two points I would love to discuss further with this film. Firstly, the editing is done exceptionally well. The film pieces together like a jigsaw, with Thomas’ perspective providing audiences with a narrative journey where at first everything appears to be black and white with the ideal candidate for Pope in clear sights. As the film progresses the editing becomes more swifter and the shots of the characters become more intense and focused, drawing us deeper into the story. Secondly, the writing is gripping and remarkably clever. As someone who isn’t really drawn to politics or religion, I found myself on the edge of my seat. The delivery of the monologues by Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and just about everyone actually just feels important and detailed. No line is wasted and no second is either within the film.
The only minor issue I had with the film was it didn’t explore the terrorist aspect of the story. There is a sub plot where certain members of the public were causing commotion in the streets of Vatican City with street bombs and suicide bombers. This was probably done with the intention to make the film more of a thriller as well but sadly this is a wasted opportunity. It does have an integral part to the film but it could have been fleshed out a little more. It all comes together in the end though and despite this part of the story it does have a resounding affect on who becomes the next Pope. There are lots of twists and turns and you won’t see the ending coming with one last surprise before the credits roll. Conclave may be about a sensitive subject matter but it is explored delicately and with the dignity it deserves.
★★★★☆
4/5
Final Verdict:
Conclave is a worthy follow up for filmmaker Edward Berger. He has yet again crafted an immersive and important film about something we don’t know much about. Faith and politics are the two major themes the story plays with, and audiences will learn just how important the process of Conclave is. It may feel a little dramatic, but the performances, editing and writing manages to create a sense of tension that exudes from the screen. Conclave will surely become recognised come awards season and it truly does deserve it.
Thanks for reading today’s blog!
Alex Murray, the Head of Eyesight Productions
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