Movie Review: Conclave (2024)

Genre: Drama  

Director: Edward Berger  

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini  

Running Time: 120 minutes  

Synopsis: When the pope dies, Dean of Cardinals Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is entrusted with organizing the election of a successor. The frontrunners include liberal Cardinal Aldo Bellini (Stanley Tucci), Cardinal Adeyemi who may become the first black pope, the conservative Cardinal Tedesco, and the politically savvy Cardinal Tremblay (John Lithgow). The arrival of the hitherto unknown and sanguine Cardinal Benitez of Kabul causes a stir, and when the early voting rounds prove inconclusive, Lawrence has to manage startling revelations that may impact the outcome. 

What Works Well: The stellar cast exudes quiet quality, and the exemplary set designs (recreating the Vatican with artistic license) and costumes establish an elegant backdrop for a heady mixture of global power, personal ambition, and the weight of history. Compelling dramatic themes emerge from the internecine conflict between liberal and progressive values colliding with the fallibility of men held to impossible standards. Muscular music adds considerable thump to the stark political intrigue.

What Does Not Work As Well: The sophisticated ambience is let down by simplistic plotting, which degenerates into sordid scandal-of-the-day expositions. Peter Straughan's script surrenders to unworthy amateur detective exploits as revelations about an illegitimate love child, money-for-votes corruption, and secret medical histories disrupt proceedings. The cardinals demonstrate naked ambition, short tempers, and back-stabbing behaviour worthy of neophyte local politicians, while a terrorist sub-plot adds nothing of relevance. 

Key Quote:

Cardinal Benitez: The church is not the past. It is what we do next.



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