CONCLAVE (2024)

Genre: Drama
Director: Edward Berger
Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini 
Runtime: 2 hrs 
Rating: M18 (Mature Content)
Released By: Shaw Organisation
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 2 January 2025

Synopsis: CONCLAVE follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – selecting the new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy and discovers a secret that could shake the very foundation of the Church.

Movie Review:

Not too long ago, we saw Ralph Fiennes in Uberto Pasolini’s The Return, where the English actor underwent physical transformation to achieve a sculpted physique in order to play the war weary Odysseus.

In this other film that has been gaining wider attention, we see a very different version of the 62 year old actor. Here, he plays a cardinal who has to oversee the election of a new Pope. The role requires him to be dressed in traditional clerical robes, and as you’d expect, the character is much more restrained.

Directed by Edward Berger and written by Peter Straughan, the film is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris. The story's protagonist is Cardinal Lawrence, played humanely by Fiennes. After the Pope dies from a sudden heart attack, he becomes responsible for managing a gathering of cardinals where the new Pope will be selected. This is a task that he has to undertake as the dean of the College of Cardinals.

“You are the manager. Manage.”

The seemingly insignificant line in one scene is actually an impactful one, as it sets the stage for Cardinal Lawrence to run the show smoothly. He becomes what we can otherwise regard as an event in charge. With the arrival of cardinals from all over the world, while the rest of humankind eagerly awaits who the new Pope will be, one can only imagine the burden on the main guy who is tasked to make sure that nothing goes wrong.

Cardinal Lawrence has a few challenges to manage. He is informed that one of the candidates was told to resign the night before the Pope dies. The unplanned arrival of a cardinal from Kabul brings questions. A commotion breaks out in the dining area when a nun confronts another candidate about an illegitimate romance. Then there is another candidate who is a staunch traditionalist that is causing a stir with his outspoken views.

And you thought your job was difficult.

The filmmakers have delivered an absorbing movie that also scores high in its production values. French cinematographer Stéphane Fontaine’s camerawork is beautiful, especially when he gets to paint the screen with a group of cardinals moving from one location to another.  German musician Hauschka, who won the Academy Award for Best Original Score and the BAFTA Award for Best Original Music for his work on Berger's All Quiet on the Western Front (2022), composes a score which intensifies the suspense with its use of forceful strings.

Then there is Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence. You can feel the weight the character has to carry and feel the dilemma he is facing. The much talked about performance is likely to gain even more attention during awards season. He is supported by other fine actors like Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini who command the screen every time they appear. Also, watch out for Mexican actor Carlos Diehz who plays the last minute guest to the papal conclave. It is interesting to note that after being an architect for over 30 years, Diehz pursued his original interest in acting and landed this breakout role.

This 120 minute movie takes the approach of a thriller to keep you at the edge of your seat. It’s also a wise decision to reach the mainstream crowd. As the film progresses, questions will keep popping up in your mind. What’s the next secret that will be spilt among the prim and proper cardinals? Who’s playing dirty to get votes? And of course, who’s going to become the Pope before the end credits roll?

Before long, you see how this is no different from politics. While there have been various published religious responses to the film, audiences can choose to regard this as a piece of entertainment or a perspective on the current state of things in the world. Is the movie manipulative and sensationalising matters, or a reflection on how religion is ‘operated’? You decide. 

Movie Rating:

(Presented as a thriller, this absorbing drama that showcases fine acting from the cast, especially from the ever-reliable Ralph Fiennes, is gripping from start to finish)

Review by John Li