A One Mann’s Movies review of “Conclave” (2024) (From the 2024 London Film Festival).
The Conservative party in the UK are currently electing a new leader through a series of secret ballots among MPs. Where or where is the motion picture of this? “WHAT? James Cleverly has been knocked out” (Stab of dramatic music). OK, perhaps not. But “Conclave” tells a different but even more dramatic story… the election of a new pope. And here’s the surprise… it’s bloody brilliant.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
“Conclave” Plot Summary:
The old pope is dead and Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) must run the conclave to elect his replacement as the Pontiff. But there are favourites already assigned and some come with serious baggage that Lawrence and his allies see as a major problem for the church. It’s not going to be an easy week at the office for Lawrence.
Certification:
UK: 12A; US: PG-13. (From the BBFC web site: “Brief sexual violence references”)
Talent:
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Jacek Koman, Lucian Msamati, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, Bruno Novelli, Rony Kramer, Sergio Castellitto, Carlos Diehz.
Directed by: Edward Berger.
Written by: Peter Straughan (From the book by Robert Harris).
Running Time: 2h 0m.
“Conclave” Summary:
Positives:
- Simply brilliant film-making from Edward Berger.
- A superb plot, with two literally gasp-inducing moments.
- An acting masterclass.
- Brilliant cinematography from Stéphane Fontaine.
Negatives:
- Wasn’t a terrific fan of the music.
Review of “Conclave”:
You wouldn’t think it would be so gripping!
My only experience and understanding of the conclave that happens after the pope dies comes from Ron Howard’s “Angels and Demons”. So, clearly, that’s correct in every detail! When the plot comes off the page at you, before going in, I was expecting a wordy Aaron Sorkin type of drama. So I didn’t go in with enormous expectations, other than to expect a great array of acting on show. With Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow heading up the list, how could it not be? But I was really surprised by how gripping it was.
To really enjoy it, it’s worth cementing the names of all of the characters into your brain, since the voting results are sometimes, helpfully, shown with associated shots of the characters, but not always. So, as a useful aide memoire, here they are:
- Ralph Fiennes – Cardinal Lawrence
- Stanley Tucci – Cardinal Bellini
- John Lithgow – Cardinal Tremblay
- Lucian Msamati – Cardinal Adeyemi
- Sergio Castellitto – Cardinal Tedesco
- Carlos Diehz – Cardinal Benitez
It’s worth trying to learn them before you see the film! (My film-reviewing friend Emma Sewell – from Emma@TheMovies on X – scoffed at me for this as she was able to follow it perfectly…. I’m clearly just rubbish with names and faces! But you might be too!)
A really interesting script.
As well as a great underlying story, the script is also well written. It made me really feel for the angst of Cardinal Lawrence as he tried to juggle the many balls that are thrown at him. These include overt racism, islamophobia, homophobia and sexism. It’s clear that Lawrence does not want the job he has been given. But as he is told, “some are born to be shepherds; some to manage the farm”.
There are lots of clandestine whispered meetings on stairwells that reminded me of “All the President’s Men”. The plotting is to try to make sure that the “right” Cardinal gets the post, but there are far too many who want it. As Tremblay comments, “The men who are most dangerous are the ones who most want it.”
There are many other great lines: When Bellini (Stanley Tucci) is concerned about his standing with his colleague he exclaims “I’d be the Richard Nixon of Popes!” And in an impassioned, and controversial, address to the cardinals, Lawrence comments “We are mortal men. We serve an ideal. We can’t always be ideal.”
In particular though, the story/script delivers two REALLY WOW – as in jaw on the floor – moments. One an event that shocks and one a revelation that floors you completely. No spoilers of course here!
Alien terms
This was clearly a grown-up script, as there were a few alien terms thrown in that I didn’t understand (clearly lacking a classical education!). They are (with the definitions):
- In pectore: a Latin phrase that means “in the breast” or “in the heart”. It is used to describe a secret action, decision, or document. In the Catholic Church, it is most often used to refer to a papal appointment to the College of Cardinals that is not announced publicly. The pope keeps the name of the cardinal to himself.
- Simony: buying or selling of something spiritual or closely connected with the spiritual. More widely, it is any contract of this kind forbidden by divine or ecclesiastical law. The name is taken from Simon Magus (Acts 8:18), who endeavoured to buy from the Apostles the power of conferring the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
You’re welcome.
Edward Berger’s film choices are really interesting.
The director Edward Berger shot to major recognition two years ago with his epic retelling of “All Quiet on the Western Front“, the film being nominated for 9 Academy Awards and winning 4 of them, including Best International Film. “Conclave” is his follow-up and, I suspect, will also gather a bunch of nominations. Some of the directorial decisions are spectacular. I found it fascinating that when we are looking over Ralph Fiennes’s shoulder, the focus is not on the book that he is looking at but on his nose and glasses in the foreground. That took me by surprise.
There are some truly beautiful shots (with cinematography by Stéphane Fontaine) including an aerial shot of all the cardinals (but one) walking across a courtyard carrying white umbrellas. Berger also drops in random shots of the preparations for the Conclave: a pile of cardinal cigarette butts; a pile of disconnected phones; a functionary leaning against a staircase.
Superb acting
A Vatican cardinal seems to be the role that Ralph Fiennes was born to play. His casting is simply perfect and his performance is nothing short of brilliant. I am in awe of actors who can express such raw emotion that tears run unbidden down their cheeks. I would really like to see Fiennes nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for this one.
Equally impressive are Tucci and Lithgow, both of who could be up for Best Supporting Actor. I’m not sure frankly who the production might choose to campaign for.
The film is notably short of female contributors (given the subject matter, this is not a great surprise). However, Isabella Rossellini is terrific as Sister Agnes and manages to get the biggest laugh of the film with a coy little curtsy!
Only one thing I wasn’t mad about.
My only issue with what I thought was a near perfect piece of film entertainment was the score by Berger’s regular composer Volker Bertelmann. There are various stabs of percussion on the soundtrack that I found really intrusive and annoying. Mind you, I note with amusement that I said EXACTLY the same about the score for “All Quiet on the Western Front” and that went on to win the Oscar, damn it!!
Summary Thoughts on “Conclave”
I feel I’m being spoilt with some of the films at the LFF this year… there is a really strong field on show and I have NO IDEA how I’m going to whittle down my list of candidates for my films of the year list at Christmas. But I really feel I will need to shoehorn “Conclave” in there somewhere. Because it’s a cracker.
It’s due for a simultaneous release in the UK and US on November 29th this year. Go see it!
Where to Watch it (Powered by Justwatch)
Trailer for “Conclave”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX9jasdi3ic .
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Hi Bob. I totally agree with this review. However, I thought the score was great.
I thoroughly enjoyed it. ‘It’ being the whole package.
Thanks Graham. Will agree to disagree on the score, but it will go on to win the Oscar again anyway, so you are probably right! 😉