Conclave (2024)

Content by Tony Macklin. Originally published on February 4, 2025 @ tonymacklin.net.

Conclave treats religion as politics. What a concept!

Conclave is a movie of intrigue, deceit, and mystery. It probably shouldn't work with a general audience, but it seems to have.

The movie transports us to Vatican City, where the Roman Catholic Cardinals have gathered to choose a new Pope after the death of the active one.

Leading the sequestered selection process is Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), the Dean of the Conclave of Cardinals. He is thoughtful and firm. The leading candidates are Cardinal Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati), Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto), Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci), and Cardinal Tremblay (John Lithgow). Let the fun begin.

Perhaps the reason for the film's success is its quality. It received 8 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and 2 acting nominations to Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini (as the head Sister). Fiennes seems appropriate, but Rossellini has just one important speech -- and a steady stare. She's one of only two actresses with a speaking part.

Director Edward Berger didn't receive a nomination, but screenwriter Peter Straughan did for adapting Robert Harris' book. The film has several strong lines. At one point Lawrence says, "The one sin I've come to fear of all others -- certainty." He calls it the enemy of tolerance.

The film has a few contrivances,e.g. the timing of two bombings. But in general, it is credible.

Other Oscar nominations went to editing, music, costumes, and production design. The production design gave us the scope of the gathering place. The costumes, e.g., the Cardinals' mitres (tall, white, pointed hats) and red clothing were impressive.

The music (by Volker Bertelmann) -- dominated by strings -- was especially powerful.

The final shot of the film reminded me of the end of Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), where Claudia Cardinale walked with water down the hill to give it to men. Was it the beginning of matriarchy?

Does the end of Conclave suggest a coming matriarchy? But an old white man is watching from a window above.

It's hard to even remember a time before religion was taken over by money changers.