Reviewed by Philip Moore.
Conclave is a great mystery thriller surrounding the choosing of a new Pope. Ralph Fiennes plays Cardinal Lawrence who is tasked with doing the voting to the select the new pope. We are introduced to a number of cardinals of the Conclave.
There are rumors that start that Cardinal Tremblay played by John Lithgow who was the last to speak to the pope that died that he being asked to resign. Stanley
Tucci was outstanding as Cardinal Bellini who has his own ambitions and wants to see new ideas brought the church. Isabella Rossellini is also strong as a sister who is in the background who has two outstanding scenes where he she stands up for a woman who needs help and the church. Bellini wants to be more open minded about homosexuality, his views of women and sees a vision for the future. Lawrence is reluctant to be the pope himself and encourages others to vote for people other than him.
The production design was outstanding in this film, the costumes and I loved the riveting dialogue with many exciting scenes of people talking in rooms. The scenes where they are voting are so riveting to watch.
The major theme explored in this film is doubt, and struggling with your faith and sexual themes are explored well here too.
I think this film will get many Oscar nominations and I think right now is the front runner at the Oscars. I can see Fiennes getting nominated for lead, there are so many layers to his performance. He shows power in this delivery and doubt and vulnerability. Tucci was outstanding he really holds his own in a performance where he has some great lines of delivery.
Some interesting trivia is most of the film was shot in Rome. Another interesting fact with the voting process with the cardinals is they can vote up to 4 times a day.
This would also be Ralph Fiennes third Oscar nomination if he gets it. Also if the film wins best picture it would be the fourth film that Ralph Fiennes has appeared that has won Best Picture. That would be the first time someone has appeared in that many Best Picture winners. If Edward Berger wins Best Director he would be only the second director to direct a non English Language film that won which was All Quiet On The Western Front and win the directing award.
I highly recommend this film, I saw it with a big crowd and felt special being one of the first to see it in the world after the Toronto Film Festival.
5 stars.
