CONCLAVE : Monday 3rd February 2025

I saw the PG Rated 'CONCLAVE' at the Open Air Cinema at Mrs. Macquarie's Chair this week, overlooking the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the CBD. This UK and US Co-Produced film is Directed by Edward Berger and is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris. Edward Berger's previous film credits take in 'Jack' in 2014, 'All My Loving' in 2019 and the critically acclaimed and multi award winning 'All Quiet on the Western Front' in 2022. This film had its World Premiere screening at last years Telluride Film Festival in late August, was released in the US in late October, in the UK in late November, cost US$20M to produce, and has so far grossed US$92M. It has received generally positive critical reviews and has so far collected 59 award wins and another 294 nominations, many of which are still pending a final determination, from around the awards and festival circuit, including eight Academy Award nods. 

The films opens with the dead body of the pope lying peacefully in his bed where he passed away several hours before. It is the early hours of the morning and already sitting beside the late pope's bedside are Aldo Bellini (Stanley Tucci) and Joseph Tremblay (John Lithgow) - two of his closest Cardinals. Into the room in the early hours of the morning comes dean Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), and shortly thereafter the body is prepared before being removed (rather unceremoniously) by a pair of Ambulance men. Under the leadership of Lawrence, the College of Cardinals must convene in a Conclave, to elect the next pope. 

There are four leading candidates, all of whom have their sights set on the next papacy. These are Bellini of the US, Tremblay of Canada, Goffredo Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto) of Italy and Joshua Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati) of Nigeria. Janusz Wozniak (Jacek Koman), the prefect of the papal household, has information for Lawrence that the late pope demanded Tremblay's resignation on the night he died. Lawrence confronts Tremblay with this news, which he vehemently denies. Bellini tells his supporters his goal is to prevent Tedesco from becoming pope, because he is way too traditional in his views of the role of the pope. 

Meanwhile, Lawrence is taken aback by the last-minute arrival of Archbishop Vincent Benitez (Carlos Diehz) of Kabul, whom the late pope named cardinal the previous year in secret. None of the one hundred or so Cardinals had any prior knowledge of Benitez existence up that point, and Lawrence had no reason to doubt his claims as genuine.

After the first ballot is counted, no one obtains the required two-thirds majority, though Adeyemi has a slight edge and Bellini and Lawrence split the liberal vote. Raymond O'Malley (Brian F. O'Byrne), Lawrence's assistant, does some background digging on Benitez, where he learns the late pope paid for his plane ticket to Geneva for a canceled medical appointment. On the second day, while the Cardinals were gathered for lunch, the college witnesses a confrontation between Adeyemi, who leads in the votes, and Sister Shanumi (Balkissa Maiga), a nun recently transferred from Nigeria to Vatican City. After Adeyemi storms out of the lunch room, Lawrence privately speaks with Shanumi, who confesses to an illicit relationship that led to the birth of a son, albeit some twenty years ago. Lawrence then confronts Adeyemi with this news, and asks him is he wishes to confess. Though Lawrence is bound to secrecy by order of the Confession, a whisper campaign puts an end to Adeyemi's candidacy. Bellini thereafter, reluctantly decides to back Tremblay.

Working with Sister Agnes (Isabella Rossellini), the nun overseeing the cardinals' catering and housekeeping arrangements, Lawrence learns that Tremblay arranged for Shanumi's transfer. When confronted, Tremblay claims that he did so at the late pope's request. Lawrence then breaks into the late pope's quarters and discovers documents that implicate Tremblay did so, but without the pope's consent. He shows the documents to Bellini, whose plea not to reveal their existence sparks an argument. Lawrence has Sister Agnes copy the document for every member of the college.

On the third day, following the revelation of Tremblay's actions, Lawrence reconciles with Bellini and agrees to oppose Tedesco. Lawrence votes for himself during the sixth ballot, which is interrupted by an explosion that knocks him to the floor and damages the Sistine Chapel, covering many of the Cardinal's in dust and debris, and none are seriously injured. 

The college learns the explosion was caused by a suicide bomber who detonated himself near the Vatican, killing about a dozen in the crowd, and injuring many more. Tedesco calls for a religious war, while Benitez says that violence should not be met with violence. The college overwhelmingly elects Benitez in the seventh ballot, and he chooses the papal name of 'Innocent'.

Lawrence is initially enthusiastic and relieved, until O'Malley pulls him aside to discuss the nature of Benitez's canceled medical appointment . . . and I'll leave it there, for to tell of the twist in this tale will likely spoil it for those who have yet to see 'Conclave'. Needless to say, you won't have seen that one coming!

With 'Conclave' Director Edward Berger has here crafted a film aimed squarely at a more mature audience, looking for good old fashioned high stakes drama underscored by a first rate all on their A-game cast, top notch cinematography, and a taut riveting story that will maintain your unwavering interest right up until the end. This film has political intrigue, some real laugh out loud moments, and all the plot twists and turns that you could possibly hope for all wrapped up in a neat entertaining package that is well worth the price of your movie ticket and will keep you enthralled for its two hour run time. 

'Conclave' merits five claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard from a possible five claps.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-