Movie Review: Conclave
The phrase “Oscar Bait” gets thrown around often and almost entirely with a negative connotation. Especially in the midst of awards season, where Hollywood’s heaviest hitters make their world premieres on the festival circuit in hopes of cementing their legacy as the next Best Picture winner. Austrian filmmaker, Edward Berger, in no newcomer to this song and dance. His epic 2022 remake of All Quiet on the Western Front became an unexpected Oscar darling that secured 4 Academy Awards (including Best International Feature and Best Cinematography) and 9 Nominations in total (including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay). However, this time around, Berger’s latest is getting the “Oscar Bait” label. His film Conclave centers around the Catholic Church’s daunting task of selecting the next Pope following the surprising death of their current leader. And while the “Oscar Bait” stamp may actually fit the film’s backdrop and premise, Berger’s talent and originality help make Conclave the best type of “Oscar Bait” possible.
The movie opens with the sudden passing of the church’s “Holy Father” due to a heart attack. Close friend and Cardinal-Dean, Thomas Lawrence (played by Ralph Fiennes), is tasked with overseeing the formal selection of the next Pope at the church’s formal Conclave. Here, 108 Cardinals from around the world meet and sequester themselves through rounds of voting that must continue until two-thirds of them (72 in total) cast their ballot for the same individual.
While on the surface, Berger and writer Peter Straughn’s (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) story sounds as exhilarating as watching paint dry, their collaboration masterfully turns this tiresome church-filled premise on its head by morphing the presumed tedium into an enthralling and up-tempo religious political thriller. Cardinal Lawrence and the rest of the conclave envision a four-man contest. Neo-Liberal, Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci), and conservative traditionalist, Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto), are in stark opposition of one another, while more moderate voices, Cardinal Tremblay (John Lithgow) and Cardinal Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati) from Nigeria, also seek the papacy with general support from the Conclave. Yet, as these church leaders begin to shield themselves from the world and voting gets underway, rumors of past transgressions and unholy deceit put the weight of the entire Catholic church on the shoulders of Lawrence.
Conclave’s mesmerizing screenplay is brought to life by Berger’s sharp direction and a brilliant ensemble. As the film’s lead, Ralph Fiennes has found himself near the top of the Best Actor race and deservedly so. His performance is an absolute tour-de-force, but the talent doesn’t start and stop there. Tucci is electric, and the rest of the throne-seekers are magnificent as well. The entire cast beautifully capture the essence of Berger’s desire to show the irony of revered religious leaders putting power over principle on full display.
The story moves briskly along until its shocking final moments, where Berger purposefully intends to stir up controversy and discussion. Although this late-film inclusion is assured to help build a vocal buzz and keep audiences talking about Conclave long after the credits roll, it’s relevance to this greater story seems contrived and unnecessary. Still, though, despite this minor blemish on an otherwise Oscar-destined work, Conclave remains one of 2024’s most fascinating and accomplished films.
GRADE: 4.5 Stars out of 5
