Allan Watched "Conclave"
Brilliantly performed and extremely compelling, the Academy Award-nominated Conclave delivers some of the best acting and straightforward writing of the last year, culminating with a properly poignant twist.
Capital “A” Acting
You know you are in for acting in the highest order when the first scene of a film settles on Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow, and Conclave does not disappoint from there. The story focuses on Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Fiennes), who is forced to mourn the loss of his friend and mentor the Pope, and run the College of Cardinals conclave that must select the new Pope, all while the Pope-hopefuls (or Popefuls as I prefer to say) around him are kicking up scandals and secrets he must investigate.
Fiennes is forceful in his portrayal of Cardinal Lawrence, wearing on his face the weight of every awful thing he learns about his fellow Cardinals and the agony of the slipping grip of faith he is losing. His work here is being touted as a career-best for the acclaimed actor, garnering many accolades including his third Best Actor nomination. The praise is warranted, but it is the brilliance around him of Lithgow, Tucci, Isabella Rossellini, Sergio Castellitto, Lucian Msamati, and Carlos Diehz that made this film perhaps the most well-acted movie of the last few years.
Rossellini received her extremely well-deserved first Oscar nomination this winter for playing the protective, truth-seeking Sister Agnes. Her nomination comes 80 years after her mother Ingrid Bergman’s was nominated for Best Actress for playing a much different nun, Sister Mary Benedict, in The Bells of St. Mary’s. Sister Agnes is a forceful protector of her fellow sisters, as well as the guiding light for Cardinal Thomas’s constantly shifting investigation of his peers, and although she does not have a ton of screen time, her imprint on the film is clear.
Popefuls
Peter Straughan’s Oscar-nominated adapted script has a ton of momentum and feels like it would work just as well on stage as it did on the screen. His ability to align each Cardinal’s very human defects to modern-day societal issues is effortless, and it is clearly an allegory of the times we live in.
The succinct writing gives us clarity on the Popefuls, and each is a wonderful vessel for the brilliant actors to take control of. Lithgow, the clearest villain in the beginning, is impossible to ignore when as the slippery Cardinal Joseph Tremblay. Tucci is the heart of the film as the “good-guy” Popeful Cardinal Aldo Bellini, and we all feel his exhaustion on the state of the worlds we live within. Sergio Castellitto avoids the tropes that could come with playing the stern traditionalist, Cardinal Goffredo Tedesco, and instead shows how undemanding it can be to bring forward anciently close-minded views to a wide group of followers.
Last, but certainly not least, is architect turned actor Carlos Diehz, who plays Cardinal Vincent Benitez, the Mexican archbishop from Afghanistan who brings the conclave to a boil as they decide if he should be allowed in the sacred walls, let alone be a Popeful. The moral dilemma he brings, that we pretend in the film is only because it is a very conservative institution when really it is a battle we fight still every day, is the true crux of the film, and he handles it beautifully.
Not A Thriller
Conclave is positioned as a thriller, but despite the tension that persists from start to end, it is much more a modern “whodunnit” mystery. What makes it modern is the five different things that have been done, which leads to a constant flow of Fiennes being whispered new information and having to eyebrow act. After a while you do get a little sick of it, but not enough to take any shine off of the film.
Overall, Conclave delivers a satisfying, surprising final product that is worthy of each of its eight Oscar nominations and your time.
Random Thoughts
I think it is important to note that this film is not overtly anti-Catholicism or anti-religion. There are many scenes that focus on the need for transformation and modernization of the Church, but I do not think it would be offensive to anyone.
One of the great scenes that touches on this without a word spoken is when all the Popefuls are sitting outside waiting to begin the Conclave, each nose-deep in their smartphone.
If it is true that the smoke released to announce the voting each day comes from a can, I am both disappointed and have many questions. It is not often there is a new pope, so how old are those cans? They have to just be sitting somewhere because they need them almost right away after a Pope dies. Do they have other uses? It didn’t look like they were labeled super clearly, does the important can sit somewhere else? I am sure I can Google this, but I’d rather just ponder it.
Cardinal Adeyemi, played by Msmanti, is responsible for one of the more difficult and sad scenes to watch. It makes you think about how impossible it is to thrust perfection on anyone. I am oversimplifying, but you feel for him.
Another monumental moment is Fiennes's monologue homily about faith. I assume that will be the clip they show at the Oscars, and I can see that being used in acting classes for a long time.
That scene also perfectly encapsulates Cardinal Lawrence’s battle against both protecting and doubting the sanctity of the group he is put in charge of.
Conclave received eight nominations for the upcoming Oscars: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Original Score, Best Production Design, and Best Costume Design.
Quick Hits
How many times have I seen this movie?
Twice!
Where was I watching it?
Both times were in my office, but I wish I had seen it in theatres.
Favorite trivia about the movie
Diehz’s journey to get to this breakthrough role is pretty remarkable. Another example of the pandemic lockdown influencing great art.
Favorite part
That first scene is really awesome and sets you up well for the ride. Honestly, every scene with Tucci is a gift.
Least favorite part
Maybe two too many scenes where someone rushes over to Fiennes with new information.
Would I recommend this movie?
Absolutely.
So What Does Allan Give It?
Two Gold Thumbs Up! Overall, a score of 90. Acting. Acting! ACTING. Go watch it.
