The Reel Review
When the Pope dies unexpectedly, Cardinal Lawrence must navigate internal politics, hidden agendas and secret alliances after the Vatican asks him to convene a conclave to select a successor. Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini star in this mystery/thriller based on Robert Harris’ 2016 novel.
Working from a cleverly constructed screenplay from Peter Straughan (The Snowman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and a highly effective, suspenseful score from Oscar-winning composer Volker Bertelmann (All Quiet on the Western Front), director Edward Berger, who also won the Best Picture Oscar for that same film, crafts a surprisingly thrilling papal potboiler loaded not only with intrigue but sumptuous visuals of the ancient process, aided by an exceptional big name cast. As it turns out, the cardinals can be a petty, conniving bunch.
Rossellini, as the nun disgusted by the corruption and scheming, has the big jaw-dropping Oscar moment, but Fiennes is brilliant as the conflicted head of the conclave, trying to make good choices despite being riddled with doubt about his faith and the church. The story is a tad bit long but it culminates in a pleasantly thrilling albeit wildly farfetched finale as we find out who will be the next head of the Catholic Church.
REEL FACTS
• Conclave stars three Oscar nominees: Ralph Fiennes (Schindler’s List, The English Patient), Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones) and John Lithgow (The World According to Garp, Terms of Endearment)
• In the 2016 novel, Ralph Fiennes’ character is named Cardinal Lomeli.
• Conclave was filmed in Rome and at the city’s Cinecittà Studios, the largest film studio in Europe.
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