The Catholic Church’s captive elites are stirring up hot tea with little sympathy. conclavea simmering political thriller about succession set at the feet of a dead Pope.
Because “the throne of the Holy See is vacant,” the College of Cardinals convened a papal synod at the Vatican to elect a new pope. Some cardinals come to Rome determined to rally support for their preferred candidate, while others promote their candidacy in what is expected to be a ruthless contest to garner enough votes at the conference to become the next pope. Some cardinals arrive prepared to do so.
Overseeing the controversial proceedings is Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, one of the late pope’s inner circle, played by Ralph Fiennes with a genuine sense of loss, loyal purpose, and just a flicker of personal ambition. acting.
For almost everyone in the Vatican, ambition and hostility seem to be the fuel that fuels their fire. The powerful Cardinal Tremblay, played by John Lithgow, is clearly harboring a secret and openly covets the Holy See. So is Cardinal Tedesco, the caped diva played by Sergio Castellitto in the film’s funniest moments.
The only pro-LGBTQ liberal reformer among the potential candidates, Stanley Tucci’s level-headed Cardinal Bellini, appears to be motivated by something other than self-interest. “No sane person would want the Holy See,” he declares.
Given the intrigue and intrigue going on within the Vatican, he has a point. Spanning days of voting and revoting, the film packs a season’s worth of secrets – sex scandals, stolen documents, hidden agendas – into two well-acted hours. .
Still, even as the conclave reels from a constant barrage of bombshell statements, 2022 Academy Award winner director Edward Berger All is quiet on the Western Frontmaintains the dignified tone of the PBS drama.
The crisp editing is enhanced by Volker Bertelmann’s relentlessly foreboding score and Stéphane Fontaine’s beautiful cinematography, set against the backdrop of the vast, historic halls and porticos of the Vatican (actually Cinecittà Studios). Priests in dresses are often depicted as small figures.
Among the group of cardinals, Ralph Fiennes skillfully commands the center, engaging in tense battles with each member of the ensemble as Cardinal Laurence meticulously strives to maintain the fairness of the conclave.
Competitors stake their claim and launch attacks, whether brazen or covert. And just when it seems all the battle lines are drawn, a mysterious candidate emerges. It is Cardinal Benitez (Carlos Diez), the previously unknown Archbishop of Kabul, who will attract his own supporters.
Cardinal Lawrence must also face temptation. Fiennes deftly illuminates Lawrence’s inner crisis of conscience and faith, as in the case of the pivotal conflict between Cardinal Lawrence and Isabella Rossellini’s strong-willed Vatican administrator Sister Agnes. In addition, he stimulates his co-stars with their outstanding scenes. .
Agnes, the only voice for women in this patriarchal stronghold, of course has no vote at the meeting, but she could influence the outcome by refusing to remain silent. The film challenges several doctrines and traditions of the church and conveys a spiritual message through Lawrence’s sermon that certainty is the enemy of mystery and faith, which carries through to the film’s final shocking twist. Masu.
Based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris and adapted by Peter Straughan (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy), the film does not focus on or delve into the real-life sexual abuse scandals that rocked the Catholic Church. However, the horrors of these crimes stand in the way of the film’s fierce battle for papal supremacy.
Rather, the film, without diving into anything cheesy, exposes the collective hypocrisy of the cardinals by simply letting the meeting play out until black smoke rises from the church chimney and they finally announce that the cardinal has been elected. Corruption is cut into pieces.
conclave (★★★★☆) is being shown in theaters around the country. visit www.fandango.com.
Get the latest movie reviews delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to free magazines and newsletters.
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
