CONCLAVE – Review by T.J. Callahan
Conclave: They ain’t just blowin’ smoke.
As the Chalice Turns, Conclave isn’t non-fiction, but it plays like the ‘E! True Vatican Story’ of the search for a new Holy Father. The saintly soap opera is full of secrets, scandals and sacraments. The Robed and the Popeless.
Based on the novel of the same name by Robert Harris, Conclave follows Dean Lawrence, played impeccably by Ralph Fiennes, as he’s tasked with organizing and carrying out the selection of a new pope after the current pontiff unexpectedly dies. His fellow cast of Cardinals, including Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow, begin drawing battle lines for succession until the all knowing Sister Agnes, played by a stone faced Isabella Rossellini, and an unknown clergyman from Kabul (Carlos Diehz) arrive and place a pall on everyone’s plans.
Director Edward Berger has put together an intriguingly smart and precise view of what goes on behind “cloaked” doors…the ancient rituals merged with modern society, the deliberate daily duties of the priests and the nuns while still showing their civilian side. Berger uses the score as a character as well, raising and lowering the music level to let us know a higher power is always present.
Conclave mirrors our own political climate with its liberal vs conservative views. The dirty tricks, rumors and clandestine meetings. Fiennes, as Cardinal Lawrence, has a cross to bear as manager of the Catholic Church’s future. He plays the part with a terrified and conflicted calm knowing the importance of the burden he wishes he didn’t have. He may or may not rise to the papacy, but he’ll certainly receive an Academy Award nomination for best actor.
This two hour PG-rated homily is a true religious experience, but you don’t need to be a believer to enjoy it. Conclave gets a 9 on the Teejflixometer.
