PG 2024 ‧ Thriller/Drama ‧ 2 hours
I’ll cut to the chase: Conclave is the best movie I’ve seen this year. I would bet money that it will be nominated for an Oscar in the Best Picture and Best Actor (Ralph Fiennes) categories. It was the first movie I’ve seen in a long time that wasn’t condescending; it trusted you would follow what was happening without heavily broadcasting clues or cueing what emotion you are “supposed” to be feeling. It’s listed as a thriller, but it’s a slow burn so don’t expect an adrenaline rush. This is a grown-up movie drama heavy on dialogue, not on special effects.
The movie starts with the death of the pope. Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is immediately put in charge of organizing a conclave, a sequestered meeting of the world’s cardinals voting on who among them should be the next pope. It could have been like watching paint dry, depending on how that premise was handled. Instead, it’s a little bit of a Sorkinian tale of the behind-the-scenes politics of the Catholic Church. There are no mustache-twirling bad guys, but there are people of ambition and flawed people among the Cardinals. Even Lawrence, who doesn’t want to become the next pope, is not perfect. Stanley Tucci, Lucian Msamati, and John Lithgow all deliver nice performances as members of the conclave.
Ralph Fiennes is in almost every scene of this movie and he shines. I think this may be his best performance ever, which is saying something because he has had a great career. Thomas Lawrence is well-intentioned and tries to do the right thing whenever he can. However, he’s not dull and he’s not a saint. Just because he usually does the right thing doesn’t mean it’s the easy thing or easy for him.
The thriller component of the movie plays out with the twists and turns over who is in and who is out as the potential new pope as new information comes out and votes are cast. There are some nice twists; some you may be able to guess, but some you will not. It’s a ride worth taking. Highly recommend.
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