Mystery Movie Review - Conclave

 Conclave the movie is adapted from the international bestselling novel by Robert Harris published in 2016.

What it's about:  The Pope has died, but there are many questions surrounding his passing.  When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world's most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundation of the Catholic Church.  Once the Church's most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence uncovers a trail of deep secrets left in the dead Pope's wake.

Rated: PG

Tagline: What happens behind these walls will change everything.

Cast:

Ralph Fiennes: Lawrence

Stanley Tucci: Bellini

John Lithgow: Tremblay

Lucian Msamati: Adeyemi

Jacek Koman: Wozniak

Bruno Novelli: Dead Pope

Thomas Loibl: Mandorff

Brían F. O'Byrne: O'Malley

Isabella Rossellini: Sister Agnes

Sergio Castellitto: Tedesco

Carlos Diehz: Benitez

Director: Edward Berger

Writers: Peter Straughan & author Robert Harris

Rotten Tomatoes and critics reviews:

Rotten Tomatoes: 93%

IMDB Rating: 7.4/10

"[Fiennes's] performance is a study in restraint, yet he effortlessly conveys the internal turmoil of a man who is deeply torn between duty and conscience." Devesh Sharma of Filmfare

"A faithful adaptation of Robert Harris’ novel, screenwriter Peter Straughan delivers a brave and layered script that compels you to scratch the surface and think beyond the obvious crisis in picture." Renuka Vyavahare of The Times of India

"A faithful adaptation of Robert Harris’ novel, screenwriter Peter Straughan delivers a brave and layered script that compels you to scratch the surface and think beyond the obvious crisis in picture." Juan Jose Beteta

"A slow-burning, fascinating and unpredictable narrative anchored by a colossal ensemble cast." Kiko Martinez of San Antonio Current

"Edward Berger‘s scandalous mystery set within the walls of the Vatican, is, at once, a revealing thriller as much as it is a delicious farce" Peter Gray of The AU Review

Noteworthy awards or rankings:

Nominated for 8 Oscars:

• Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score): Volker Bertelmann
• Best Motion Picture of the Year: Tessa Ross Juliette Howell Michael Jackman
• Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: Ralph Fiennes
• Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: Isabella Rossellini
• Best Adapted Screenplay: Peter Straughan
• Best Achievement in Film Editing: Nick Emerson
• Best Achievement in Production Design: Suzie Davies (production designer) Cynthia Sleiter (set decorator)
• Best Achievement in Costume Design: Lisy Christl

12 BAFTA Nominations
11 Critics Choice Awards
6 Golden Globe Nominations
294 total nominations all told

Trivia (mostly from IMDB):

• It's established that there are 108 cardinals involved in the conclave. However, in the third round of voting there are a total of 110 votes and then in the fifth round of voting there are 113 total votes counted.
• Many of the actions Cardinal Lawrence and the rest of the cardinals take during the film's conclave process are accurate to the Catholic faith and centuries of tradition.
• In the novel, Cardinal Benitez is a Filipino, and from the Archdiocese of Baghdad, not Kabul.
• Isabella Rossellini, who began acting in films in the 1970s, earned her first Oscar nomination for her performance in this film.
• The film's cast includes four Oscar nominees: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini.
• In the novel, Ralph Fiennes's character is named Cardinal Lomeli.
• This is the fourth time a Sistine Chapel set has been built at Cinecittà Studios for a feature film, after The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965), The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968), and The Two Popes (2019).

My Thoughts:

First, the cinematography is phenomenal, lush, and rich. Like a work of art, light and dark are used for emphasis and symbolism.  A feast for the eyes. The music score is impressive as well.  The acting was equally great.  Isabella Rossellini is the only woman in the cast, other than nameless nuns scurrying around, and her presence is felt throughout the movie.  Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow all give top-of-their-game performances.  Acting students will be watching and taking notes for generations to come.  

The message is timely and clearly about challenges and decision facing the church and nations today.

The directing delivers a taught thriller, albeit slow burn, when it could have been tedious or boring.  The script is quite well done, except the twist at the end comes out of nowhere. It was never set up early on and certainly no hints of it so the viewer can go "oh, of course-why didn't I get that" so I feel it was a cheat, like a jump scare, to jolt the viewer out of left field.  Definitely worth seeing if you haven't already.  

Did you see Conclave?  Leave your thoughts on the movie in the comments.

Movie Trailer:

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