Cinema from the Spectrum

Conclave is a movie full of gossip. That alone might be what makes it a very wholly entertaining ride from start to finish, but you also can get the sense that this is an inevitable consequence of the Roman Catholic Church’s consistent failure to adapt to the times despite the best efforts of the cardinals who make up the papal conclave. For director Edward Berger’s follow-up to his own adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front, we’re finding ourselves entering a different sort of battlefield: one in which cardinals deciding who to elect as the new pope would only fire their guns by digging up dirt on each other where they can. As it turns out, this might just be where a film all about the crumbling foundations of the Catholic Church shows itself to be something more fun.

Following the death of the pope, the College of Cardinals quickly assembles in order to elect a new successor under the leadership of Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes). After one vote, the leading candidates are the liberal Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci), the moderate Cardinal Tremblay (John Lithgow), the conservative Cardinal Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati), and the far-right Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto). Without a two-thirds majority vote, a new pope cannot be so quickly elected, but Lawrence soon discovers that a greater conspiracy within the conclave is unfolding as the leading candidates all seem connected to a web of deceit. As some may say, this could very well be an average day within any political setting, so the application of such a concept within the Catholic Church might be where Conclave could be made all the more fun.

As we’re observing things under leadership of Cardinal Lawrence, we’re learning that there is a greater conspiracy at play that even he might be unaware of. It just so happens that Edward Berger knows that we’re going to find our greatest thrills through the deception that unfolds within such a setting, and there’s not really much else that’s needed to show he can make it fun for the audience. It just starts with a great script, written by Peter Straughan (perhaps best known for co-writing the brilliant 2011 adaptation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), which emphasizes just how much the gossip echoes throughout the halls of the Vatican like a gunshot has been fired. Alas, that’s just part of where the thrills from watching Conclave can be found.

Fiennes is delivering excellent work as per usual, but it’s his means of navigating through the electoral process that always leave us feeling like we’re experiencing some sort of a crisis as something of a more conspiratorial nature is unfolding. But Isabella Rossellini might just be a scene-stealer in her very brief appearances on the screen, leaving behind an impact for her own presence in a manner that beautifully contrassts the many male Cardinals whom she’s serving while they are all taking part in this conclave. There’s one scene especially in which she’s allowed to shine more than any other – but it’s also a moment where you can sense that Edward Berger is trying to paint a picture of the dichotomy of having a vote that would put one person in charge of a very influential position within the Vatican being entirely run by men.

Considering the film’s conceit as a political thriller set within the Vatican, it might just as well be where Edward Berger lets the supposed “importance” of what he’s dealing with get the better of him. This isn’t limited to the same overbearing score which hurts the impact of his own take on All Quiet on the Western Front, but even in the ways that this film tries to visually paint a picture that almost seems a bit too obvious. Given the political climate in which Conclave had been released, one can only sense that this might almost feel like wish fulfillment, but Berger knows how to let it all play in an entertaining manner. Still, I don’t think he’s as fully committed to the absurdity of the fact this is all taking place in the Vatican like one would hope – the most he comes is a cleverly done reveal at the film’s end.

It would seem as if this movie might prove itself more deceptive than it’s willing to let on, which might be the sign that Edward Berger has succeeded at making a movie all about the political power plays that always run the most powerful institutions. The whole ride is all the more fun because Berger is willing to embrace that, even though I’m not as certain that he always lands when making a film all about those dichotomies which build such institutions. There’s always at least some sort of murky morality at play as we know happens in any political institution, but maybe the most entertaining thing about Conclave is the fact that Berger knows at the core, everything is politicized. But nonetheless, he embraces the material as a perfect airport novel thriller.

Watch the trailer right here.

All images via Focus Features.

Directed by Edward Berger
Screenplay by Peter Straughan, from the novel by Robert Harris
Produced by Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, Michael Jackman, Alice Dawson, Robert Harris
Starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, Lucian Msamati, Brian F. O’Byrne, Sergio Castellitto, Carlos Diehz
Premiere Date: August 30, 2024
Running Time: 120 minutes