Ralph Fiennes choosing a Pope is fascinating

Conclave It begins with a death, but while the Ralph Fiennes-The starring film is not a murder mystery, the continuation of director Edward Berger until 2022. All quiet on the Western Front He almost treats it that way. Adapted from the novel by Robert Harris, the captivating film takes the viewer into the elaborate rites and rituals that follow the passing of a Pope, the most important of which is who will be selected as the new Pope?

When the film begins, Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes) knows one thing: he is definitely not interested in the job. As Dean of the College of Cardinals, he just wants to go through the process of overseeing the election of said new Pope (whoever that may be) and leave Vatican City for a more peaceful posting. However, the incoming cardinals now vying to wear the country’s fanciest hat aren’t going to make things easy for him, especially since the world outside the Vatican walls is as complicated as ever.

Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci) has a more liberal view of the Church, but is not necessarily supported, while Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto), Cardinal Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati) and Cardinal Tremblay (John Lithgow) come from different countries but represent a more conservative perspective. They all have their secrets, most of which come to light in the hours between voting sessions, are still conducted by secret paper ballot, and are burned after each round.

For lovers of details, Conclave glories in the traditions that define this act of succession, from the sealing of the deceased Pope’s chambers to the arrangement of toiletries provided to visiting cardinals. Cinematographer Lucian Msamati highlights the beauty of the film’s Roman locations while relying on close-ups of everything from colorful smoke canisters to the arrangement of each cardinal’s desks and the rich fabrics that dress the cardinals. assistants.

Because this is both a conference and a runway show, with costume designer Lisy Christl doing essential work in crafting the dozens of zucchini, birettas, and miters needed for the cast. (I never thought I’d have reason to look up the names of the hats the Cardinals wear before today, but life is full of wonderful surprises.) And the details of this adaptation extend beyond the superficial to the people involved, specifically the support staff. that make any convention of this type possible, especially since the support staff is made up of a group of nuns led by Isabella RosselliniSister Agnes, who remains silent until she speaks louder than anyone else.

All of us, including Sister Agnes, are soldiers in this war, because ConclaveAt least initially, he never presents the contest for a new Pope as anything more than a political battle between imperfect men. This is in direct contrast to what it is supposed to be: an attempt to discover and elevate the true divinity within a human soul. In fact, the question of who might truly be the best spiritual leader for the church hardly seems to arise here; it’s about vote counts and who has the support of various cliques in the cardinal community.

Due to course there are cliques, and course these guys get malicious with each other. Conclave doesn’t delve too deeply into what’s at stake in this election: what it would mean for people around the world who follow the Catholic faith if a particularly progressive or regressive Pope is elected. Instead, the focus is on the people involved and whether or not they pay lip service or have true devotion to the purported goals of the process.

And somehow, it’s all fascinating. It helps that Berger has assembled a truly top-notch ensemble, with Fiennes’ tired work anchoring the proceedings. Stanley Tucci electrifies every scene he appears in, while Lucian Msamati, Sergio Castellitto and John Lithgow all get fascinating and/or devastating moments to shine. By contrast, the relatively unknown Mexican actor Carlos Diehz, who plays an equally obscure cardinal who was invited into the process at the last minute, has the least experience of all, but represents a brilliant find on the part of the casting team; ends up becoming an essential part of the puzzle that leads Conclave until its surprising and potentially shocking conclusion.

Conclave (focus functions)

The simplicity of ConclaveThe ‘means’ narrative is easy to assign meaning to: coming to light on the eve of the 2024 presidential election, for example, can’t help but bring with it some allegorical ramifications. And there is something uniquely identifiable in Cardinal Lawrence’s attitude, in these confusing times that are not really post-Covid; Lawrence just wants peace, a simple life, free from the backstabbing of papal politics. (Sounds good.)

Conclave It is rated PG, which is a bit unusual for a drama clearly aimed at an adult audience; Despite the rating, I wouldn’t recommend it for kids, unless said kids really like it hats. That qualification, however, only highlights the power of Berger’s storytelling, which does not require extreme violence, language, or sexuality to keep the audience interested. It doesn’t matter if your knowledge of Catholicism is limited: watching brilliant actors grapple with questions of idealism, pragmatism, and maybe, occasionally, faith, makes for captivating viewing. Conclave He even dares to do it a little. fun. What could be its most subversive element.

Conclave It’s already in theaters.