Ever wonder how a new pope gets elected? Conclave seeks to pull back the curtain on the ancient, covert affair. On the surface, watching a bunch of sequestered Cardinals bickering and casting ballots to be counted and burned, may not seem all that enthralling. But factor in a star-studded cast of master pontificators (pun intended), and all bets are off.
Conclave is based on a 2016 thriller by Robert Harris. If you’ve read the book (I haven’t), then you may know where this particular ‘whodunnit’ (or ‘who’s it gonna be?’) eventually lands. Regardless, the film presents a quietly absorbing narrative peppered with moments of suspense and intrigue as vote after vote is cast until a single candidate receives a two-thirds majority.
The film begins with the unexpected death of a beloved pope. There’s little time to mourn; the Catholic Church needs a new head honcho, pronto. Cardinals assemble. The task of running the conclave to elect a new pope falls to Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), the dean of the College of Cardinals. He’s less than enthusiastic about the assignment but knows he is duty-bound, and the stakes are inordinately high. The winner will define a new era for the Church, whether it be a liberal step forward, a conservative step back, or somewhere in between.
As Cardinals from across the globe converge on the Vatican, and the lobbying for votes kicks into high gear, frontrunners begin to emerge. They include American Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci) of the Vatican; Cardinal Trembley (John Lithgow) of Montreal; Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto) of Venice; and Cardinal Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati) of Nigeria. Each has his own agenda, motivations, supporters and detractors, and skeletons.
So who- if anyone- is truly worthy? That is the question of the hour (or two hours).
The high-ranking clergymen casting secret ballots include a mysterious newcomer, Cardinal Benitez of Kabul (Carlos Diehz in his first major movie role), a late addition to the group who was secretly appointed by the pope shortly before his death. No-one knows quite what to make of him. And then, on the sidelines— quietly observing the patriarchal fest— is Sister Agnes (Isabella Rossellini), the nun in charge of running the Casa where the cardinals are living during the conclave. Sister Agnes delivers one of those brief yet impactful scene-stealing moments that often make the cut for a best supporting actor nod. Amen, sister!
Conclave does not have any sex or swearing or gore to speak of — so it’s rated PG. That rating may be technically appropriate, but the film is most definitely not for kids. It’s an intimate, dialogue-driven film that tackles some serious issues relating to the Catholic Church (and its scandals), and unravels like a mystery. It may not sit well with the faithful but the performances are captivating and sometimes even humorous. It could be hard to watch at home, though, since it takes some time to get invested, and there is the occasional Latin or Italian — with English subtitles. So if you’re the type to multitask while streaming, definitely opt for theater viewing.
Conclave opens in theaters nationwide on Friday, October 25th.