Renowned Director Edward Berger, acclaimed for his striking rendition of All Quiet on the Western Front in 2022, pivots intriguingly towards a film almost entirely set within the Vatican. Named Conclave, the movie is based on the widely-read novel by Robert Harris and highlights Berger's adaptive skills, providing Ralph Fiennes one of the standout roles of his career, backed up by a stellar supporting cast.
Notably, the recent Oscar-nominated film The Two Popes also ventured inside the Vatican, depicting the real-life rise of Pope Francis. However, this film is more of a fictional exploration focusing on internal manipulations during the selection of a new pope after the predecessor's demise. Ralph Fiennes intriguingly plays the role of the Dean of the College of Cardinals responsible for supervising the election.
The screenplay by Peter Straughan maintains a brisk storyline pace. Supporting Fiennes’ character Cardinal Lawrence, is an array of interesting characters, one being his American cardinal confidante, played elegantly by Stanley Tucci. Suspicion prevails over the Canadian cardinal portrayed by John Lithgow, who exhibits immense personal ambition in his campaign for the pope's position.
A surprising contender surfaces in the form of a Nigerian cardinal, acted by Lucian Msamati, with several in the Vatican envisioning the possibility of the church's first African pope. Meanwhile, more conservative cardinals like Italy's nominee, portrayed by Sergio Castellito, view this newcomer as a threat to the existing European supremacy.
Adding to the mix is a mysterious new priest from Kabul, given life by Carlos Diehz. This priest's presence is a surprise to many, and he appears to have been invited by the previous Pope. However, there is notable concern regarding his origins from a dominantly Muslim region. Isabella Rossellini plays a nun who turns out to be pivotal for challenging the male dominance of the Catholic Church.
Fiennes delivers an extraordinary performance portraying a man facing a crisis of faith due to the myriad scandals unfolding around him. As he becomes a leading contender for the Pope's position, his moral dilemma intensifies.
Berger expertly directs the multiple story threads while establishing a rich and immersive atmosphere for the production. The recreations of significant Vatican locations at Cinecitta Studios add to the film's allure, punctuated by a terrorist bombing that injects a dose of violent reality. Volker Bertelmann, composer and previous Oscar winner, showcases his versatility in this film, contributing to its overall impressive presentation. The surprising final twist of the movie brings a refreshing unpredictability, underlining the film’s intent of challenging long-held certainties.
