½
UK | USA 2024
Opening November 21, 2024
Directed by: Edward Berger
Writing credits: Peter Straughan, Robert Harris
Principal actors: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini
It’s Rome and sadly the Pope has died. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is now faced with the responsibility of organizing an election for a new Pope. Three weeks later he invites cardinals from around the world to meet in a “conclave” at the Sistine Chapel; over one hundred forty arrive. They will choose which one of them, e.g., Tedesco, Tremblay, Adeyemi, Lawrence, Bellini or Benitez, will become Pope. Tedesco has the most votes, but still not enough to have a majority. A second vote is called for the next day; Lawrence doesn’t want to be on the list. He “has enough to do already.” Here, Adeyemi, the Black cardinal, has the most votes, but also not a majority. On the third day several scandals come to light which hinder the competition.
It's wonderful to see all these men dressed in red. A few women appear, all nuns. In spite of their connection to “God,” cardinals are definitely not out of the ordinary as far as human shortcomings are concerned. They lie and cheat, even stealing a chess game out of the room when the Pope dies. Try to imagine the intrigues and corruptions which cardinals reveal about each other to strengthen their own personal chance of winning. Based on the 2016 book, Conclave by Robert Harris, a “conclave” in the Roman Catholic Church is “an assembly of cardinals for the election of a pope.” For comparison, you might try to re-see the film Die Päpstin from 2009, based on the 1996 book Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross. Konklave showed at film festivals in Telluride, Toronto, and San Sebastian. (Becky T.)
Another Opinion by Marinell H.
½
Robert Harris’s 2016 eponymous psychological papal thriller throbs to life under Edward Berger’s powerfully measured, deft handling with Peter Straughan’s acutely sophisticated screenplay. One early autumnal morning Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), the Cardinal Dean at Città del Vaticano, hurries to the Pope’s bedside. It seems the Pope’s health condition was much worse than he allowed even those closest to him to realize. Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci), Cardinal Tremblay (John Lithgow), Archbishop Wozniak (Jacek Koman), and Monsignor Raymond O'Malley (Brían F. O'Byrne), among others, join him in prayer. The Apostolic See is vacant. As Dean, Thomas’s job is to assemble, from around the world, the cardinals to the city-state, home to the Pope and center of Catholicism whence they will vote, secretly and sequestered from the outside world, for a new leader.
Three weeks later: Close on the heels of workmen making the Sistine Chapel ready, and the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery nuns under Sister Agnes (Isabella Rossellini) readying Domus Sanctae Marthae for lodging, the men are gathered for the conclave. Cardinal Benitez (Carlos Diehz) is late, unexpected. The voting body’s first vote introduce the main contenders including Trembly, Bellini, Lawrence, Cardinal Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati), Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto), Cardinal Sabbadin (Merab Ninidze), and Cardinal Villanueva (Loris Loddi). The politicking begins in earnest. Of the candidates there are, naturally, those that want to be pope, those that do not want the position, and one that is willing to do anything to knock aside all competition. Thomas must be strong pragmatically, be vigilant and discerning, understanding, and wise. “The men who are dangerous are the ones who do want it.”
Ralph Fiennes’s standout performance and ensemble are exquisite in their smoldering, shrouded, and sensitive portrayals. Stéphane Fontaine’s mesmerizing camerawork intently studies the men—scrutinizing facial tics, sidelong glances, calculated gestures, and situations—in the dining area, their quarters, the Sistine Chapel’s magnificence from all angles and perspectives allied with Volker Bertelmann’s eloquently timed music that editor Nick Emerson finesses into the compellingly potent Konklave. Suzie Davies’s production design, Cynthia Sleiter’s sets, and Roberta Federico’s art direction stunningly recreate Vatican City, et al. Particularly for those who have read the book, this powerful visualization of Conclave gratifyingly expresses its essence intelligently, suspensefully, and graced with wittiness. 120 minutes
Another Opinion by Shelly S.
What is a Conclave? It is an interesting question since it includes the following definitions: a secret meeting; a gathering with special authority; an assembly of cardinals for the election of the pope; a body of cardinals and the place in which the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church meet in private for the election of a pope. This has been going on since 1275 and is quite a lengthy and formal process. The meaning of the word accurately encompasses the entirety of this film. Conclave, directed by Edward Berger, follows one of the most secret and ancient world events which only includes the most powerful cardinals who are directly involved in the process of selecting a new pope. The proceedings are completely off-limits for the rest of the world until the pope is officially selected and the announced. Conclave is an intense and exciting political thriller based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris.
Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) has been selected to take on the task of running this secret Conclave after the unexpected death of the beloved pope. Cardinal Lawrence soon finds himself locked in with powerful political cardinals, many of which are holding dark secrets, while others are searching for the truth and one who could be their leader. It doesn’t take long before the secrets are revealed. The film questions many aspects about this process. Greed, corruption, and the lack of female figures participating, other than to just to serve tea, are dominant themes. Ralph Fiennes truly has reached the height of his career in this role. We see a man struggling to find the right leader when he himself is in a crisis believing he has lost his faith. It’s wonderful to see Isabella Rossellini in the role of Sister Agnes. She truly masters the role of a nun who watches and says nothing, but it is clear she has so much more to say. I am sure this film will certainly receive many awards due to its excellence and it should not be missed.