**SPOILER ALERT**
You would think that selecting the Pope would be a boring, systematic affair but the writer Peter Straughan and director Edward Berger turned the Robert Harris novel into a riveting cinematic experience. A beautifully shot film that makes the most of art, angles and architecture in a supposedly small space to creates a wonderful display of motion and colours. The director’s manipulation and clever use of light and space makes for a lovely visual journey. The quick scenes of the cardinals’ arrivals is a lovely introduction to the reality of old men hanging about - it made me laugh inside, even the low shot of the many cigarette butts from the corner where some holy men had to light up prior to being 'locked up'. Clever and insightful. There’s one scene where all the cardinals in red robes over white frocks walked slowly across a square with white umbrellas for a rapturous 30 seconds to give everyone a magical treat of contrast, movement and quiet determination. And you’ll hear English, Italian, Spanish and Latin across the 120 minutes, all the languages of the powers that defined the Church’s proliferation across the world.
The wikipedia page describes Conclave as a political thriller, haha. You wouldn’t think that members of the clergy were so driven for power but i reckon this would hark some semblance of reality when a Pope does need to be chosen. When the proceedings start and the cardinals are isolated to make their decisions, one cardinal who remarks over a meal how the group was split by language and ethnicity, and that was how the voting would align. He was not wrong, initially anyway. Secret little groups form, and people talk to persuade. Rumours arise, confrontations happen and secrets are unscrambled. The fun takes time to be revealed so be patient.
Also brilliant was how what was happening outside the closed door proceedings affected the cardinals in terrifying split-second drama. I literally gasped and held my hands to my face when the glass shatters, splintering the scene of calm, resigned process and prayer to one of shock and awe. Amazingly, that scene lets in light reminiscent of focused beams from holy heaven on high in some of Renaissance art, illuminating the face of the reluctant leader.
The writing is superb. From little jokes that give the cardinals a sense of regular humanity to the multiple, passionate (yet sometimes subtle) monologues, there is additional triumph from taking the words of a book and bringing them to life. Of course, the actors made and stole the show. Ralph Fiennes is remarkable. From the lines of his face, his gentle expressions, the composed demeanour to the outbursts and emotional weight delivered, Ralph Fiennes encapsulates what it means to be the lead actor. You'll feel his inner and outward torment, from screen to your seat. He is in almost all of the 2 hour film from start to end. Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow play great supporting characters but Ralph Fiennes as Dean Lawrence does the heavy lifting with aplomb and finesse befitting an Oscar winner. The great thing about some actors is the subtleties in their expressions and actions. I don’t know if the director would have asked them to change something for a retake but nonetheless it is the actor who has to make things happen for the cinema patron. And Ralph Fiennes is definitely that kind of actor.
Another actor worth mentioning is Sergio Castellitto who played Cardinal Tedesco. His one minute of deliberate anger aimed at securing his votes for the Papal throne is exquisite. One must of course also give kudos to Isabella Rosellini for her two separate minutes of delightful gravitas, one in silence where she gives Dean Lawrence a countenance on the edge of a death stare, and another where she simply takes control a scene of bickering men and provide a sharp verbal delivery of veracity. (Then we hear “Judas!” - one of the best moments of the film).
This film is too good. Conclave for the win everyone. All the stars.
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