Holy intrigue: Ralph Fiennes in ‘Conclave’.
CONCLAVE ****1/2 (118 minutes) PG
At the heart of this powerful, superbly performed Vatican drama beats a message that is as dangerous as it is timely.
In a career-topping turn, Ralph Fiennes plays mild-mannered, open-minded Cardinal Lawrence whose skills as the Vatican’s chief moderating voice are tested when the Pope dies.
Overseeing the vote for a new Pope he finds himself caught in the cross-currents of his brutally competitive fellow cardinals, including Cardinals Bellini (Stanley Tucci), Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto), Benitez (Carlos Diehz) and Tremblay (John Lithgow).
Though Cardinal Tremblay is the presumed favourite, a swirl of back stories, negotiations and shifting allegiances throws the competition open, with Cardinal Lawrence shocked to discover he is also in the running.
The unholy mess of the Catholic church, with its attendant cover-ups and scandals, is given full vent, driving the theme about the need for change in the face of stalwart opposition by traditionalists.
The heat underlying all this highly-charged tension and back-room intrigue is dialled up incrementally by director Edward Berger (responsible for the excellent 2022 remake of All Quiet on the Western Front), pacing the proceedings with an exactitude and attention to behavioural nuance that keeps you riveted.
Written by Peter Straughan and based on the 2016 book by Robert Harris, the film explores the age-old conflict between new and old ideas, bravely positing how they can be complementary rather than adversarial, that progressive ideas can exist within a conservative framework. Such a notion is vehemently at odds with most public discourse today, making it all the more potent and urgent.
This elevates Conclave as an intellectually daring and challenging film to behold, alongside being an enthralling drama blessed with a powerhouse showcase of great performances.
The film is also visually graceful, thanks to some exquisite editing and cinematography. Expect to see Nick Emerson and Stéphane Fontaine among the Oscar nominations Conclave will surely garner. The film just might be a sweep.
A genuinely great movie.