Conclave

Movie Name: Conclave
Year of Release: 2024
Director: Edward Berger
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Isabella Rossellini, Sergio Castellito, Carlos Diehz, Brian F. O'Byrne, Jacek Koman, Thomas Loibl, Rony Kramer, Lucian Msamati, Garrick Hagon
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7
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Synopsis and Review

Director Edward Berger is back, following his well received "All Quiet on the Western Front". This time he is tackling the adaptation of a Robert Harris novel, whose books were also the source for the films "Fatherland", "Enigma", "The Ghost Writer", and "An Officer and a Spy". "Conclave" tracks the events that take place after the Pope dies of a heart attack. Dean/Cardinal Thomas Lawrence of the UK is tasked with running the conclave in order to elect his successor. The main protagonists are Aldo Bellini of the US, Joshua Adeyemi from Nigeria, Joseph Tremblay from Canada, and Goffredo Tedesco from Italy. The operational aspect of electing a new pope is set in motion, with a series of cardinals coming to the Conclave in order to vote, with the addition of a last minute participant, Archbishop Vincent Benitez of Kabul. While all is being prepared, Dean Lawrence becomes aware of the factions, what their stances are, but also more information regarding each of the candidates comes to surface, including for instance, the fact that Tremblay had been asked to resign by the deceased Pope, something he vehemently denies, though other witnesses corroborate the wishes expressed by the late Pope. Initially none of the candidates is able to collect the two thirds of votes needed to win, though Adeyemi takes a lead over the remaining candidates. However, the appearance of a Sister transferred from Nigeria to Rome and present in the conclave, exposes improper behavior from Adeyemi from years past, which resulted in the birth of a son. The presence of the nun is revealed to be something engineered by Tremblay, who justifies it as a request from the late Pope himself. They both find themselves pushed aside from the race. As the race seems to be getting close to its end, a bombing nearby creates consternation on the streets, and also within the conclave. As some voices rise clamoring extreme reactions, quieter, more reasonable, and sensical ones emerge, changing the direction of the conclave.

To Robert Harris' credit, his narratives are always thought provoking and very intelligently conceived, as they leverage what we all know from reality, to illustrate alternative realities, which end up forcing us to think about the "what if", and more so, the "why not". Not that long ago Fernando Meirelles directed "The Two Popes", which approached similar terrain, but "Conclave" definitely goes in its own direction, crafting a quasi-thriller regarding an election process that is closed off to most of us, but nonetheless one that grants the elected individual a tremendous amount of power. Edward Berger competently illustrates what the baseline narrative/plot is about, avoiding much of a stylistic or ideological points of view. Meaning: the film is effectively presented, with the lead characters fairly (and briefly) characterized, with a fantastic cast, which keeps the feature always captivating, but at the same time, the film never gives any indication of what the director's point of view on the topics actually is. It's challenging to understand what differentiates what Edward Berger did here, of what Roger Donaldson, or even Fred Schepisi would have done. These are all fine directors, able to set up a story and assemble a cast, but whose point of view always seems to be missing from their projects. "Conclave" is indeed a watchable film, with a great cast, led by the formidable Ralph Fiennes, who is one of the finest actors working these days, who has great support from Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini, and John Lithgow, with a solid production team, including Stéphane Fontaine's cinematography, but it also feels rather generic, something that even the "gotcha" moment of the third chapter of the narrative can't erase. Being able to competently tell a story is a wonderful trait, but being able to have a point of view is what truly differentiates what directors/artists do. And while this particular Robert Harris story is a solid one, this film while watchable and with some good performances, is one that feels quickly forgettable.