Conclave
Composite Score: 94.9
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Lucian Msamati, Isabella Rosellini, Sergio Castellitto, and Carlos Diehz
Director: Edward Berger
Writer: Peter Straughan
Genres: Drama, Thriller
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic material and smoking
Box Office: $104.36 million worldwide
My take on Watching This Film:
Conclave is the film adaptation of Robert Harris’s novel of the same name about the fictional election of a new pope following the current pope’s death. The film focuses on the cardinal called to lead the titular conclave, Ralph Fiennes’s Cardinal Lawrence, a liberal cardinal who has support on that side but does not desire the papacy for himself but simply for one of his “progressive” peers as he seeks to corral and expose the truths of the cardinals in the conclave as they seek to choose the new leader of the Catholic church. The film also features Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Lucian Msamati, Sergio Castellitto, and Carlos Diehz as fellow cardinals at the conclave – all of them seeking the papacy – as well as Isabella Rossellini in a small supporting role as the head caretaker and housekeeper for the cardinals, Sister Agnes. The film’s blend of politics, religion, mystery, thriller, and interpersonal drama made it a breakout hit last year, and it earned eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Fiennes), Best Supporting Actress (Rossellini), Best Original Score, and a win for Best Adapted Screenplay. The film continues to receive recognition for its technical achievements and for the works of its ensemble of players, unsurprisingly arriving at this place toward the top of the best films of 2024.
I want to speak briefly in praise of the film’s technical elements because I don’t often do this, but in Conclave, the attention to detail in each scene is part of what makes the film so exceptional. The costumes and sets are meticulously designed to make us feel like we’re watching an actual papal conclave unfold before us, and the score by Volker Bertelmann was one of my favorites from last year. With all of this in mind, it is a tragedy that Edward Berger missed out on a nomination for Best Director at the Oscars because none of this film could have come together as well as it did without him. Additionally, though, the film’s cast was one of the strongest from top to bottom in all of last year’s films, with strong showings from every main cast member. Had Fiennes’s big moment of his sermon come in the closing minutes of the film rather than its opening, I believe he would have been a legitimate contender and not just nominee for the Best Actor Oscar. Rossellini’s performance is particularly minimal in the film, which surprised many with a nomination, but it is memorable in her few moments. It’s not her fault that she was given an underwhelmingly background role to play. All of the vying cardinals play their parts fantastically, as well. Tucci as the driven but safe liberal centrist, Lithgow as the ambitious but shady middle of the road cardinal, Msamati as the hopeful groundbreaker with a checkered history, Castellitto as “vape cardinal” the charismatic traditionalist, and Diehz as the quiet and ambivalent newcomer to the conclave: All of them are amazing and unique characters with layers and levels that keep the film compelling as Lawrence drifts among them, seeking what is best for the church and the world.
In both technique and performances, Conclave shines as one of the best films of 2024, fully deserving of its recognition here with its stunning direction and ensemble. While its story and themes are fairly familiar, their execution is far above average in this film, making up for the familiarity of it all. Currently, you can stream this film on Peacock if you’d like to watch it for yourself.
