Conclave

 The Pope is dead. It’s time to find a new one.

That sums up Conclave, both the Robert Harris novel and Edward Berger’s film adaptation of that novel. But there’s actually quite a bit more to it, in case you want to know more. Let me tell you about it.

When the unnamed Pope (Bruno Novelli) dies in his sleep, the College of Cardinals, led by Cardinal-Dean Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), assembles at the Vatican to conduct the Papal Conclave. By tradition, the Cardinals are sequestered until they elect the next Pope. Neither Lawrence, nor his friend, Bellini (Stanley Tucci), want the job, but they have supporters. They’ll keep voting for as long as they have to.

Meanwhile, Trembley (John Lithgow), Adeyemi (Lucian Msamanti), and Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto), prove pretty popular amongst their fellow Cardinals. While Tedesco wants to bring back the days of fire-and-brimstone, the other two have secrets that come out during the proceedings. The Vatican is even rocked by terrorist attacks! And then there’s the wild Cardinal, Benitez (Carlos Diehz), secretly ordained by the late Pope, who shows up at the last minute. This is going to be one eventful Conclave.

The Cardinals' political infighting is captivating to watch. Bellini, in particular, is only slightly interested in the papacy to keep Tedesco and Adeyemi from getting it. He thinks every Cardinal already has his Papal name picked out, and spurs Lawrence to get with it when he shows reluctance. Adeyemi is extremely homophobic but is quite pitiful when his own secret reduces him into a quivering mess. Stéphane Fontaine's cinematography is striking throughout the film, but one of his most memorable shots shows Adeyemi as his votes crater in one session. Tedesco is such the bombastic firebrand that Trembley's potential papacy might seem better. But Trembley, despite his casualness, turns out to be the most morally repellent of the bunch. 

In his backstory, Lawrence tried to resign as Cardinal-Dean over a crisis of faith until His Late Holiness convinced him otherwise. He still deals with his faith throughout the film, and he wears his reluctance on his face as he looks down on his fellow Cardinals early on. Despite this, he still investigates his fellow Cardinals' secrets, and his stern compassion proves the Dead Pope - as he is credited - right in keeping him on. Dead Pope barely shows up in flashbacks, and he even doesn't talk, but you'll feel it when Lawrence quietly mourns him during his investigation.

Diehz, in his first movie, is quite likable as Benitez, whose major secret is divulged in the last few minutes. That's not enough time to process it, but if it is any consolation, it is slightly hinted at throughout the film. The only other characters with any significance are nuns Sister Agnes (Isabella Rossellini) and Sister Shanumi (Balkissa Maiga), both of whom figure into Adeyemi and Trembley's secrets. The other Cardinals are fine, but they don't figure much into the plot.

Although I was alone at my screening, I was fooled into thinking the chatter on-screen was chatter a few rows away. The sound design by Ben Baird is just that impressive. Thanks to him, you can hear the rigor mortis as the Pope's men pry his ring from his cold dead hands. He later puts you on edge when the first bombings shake the Sistine Chapel, and aurally punches you with the actual attack on the Chapel. I was still tense even though I knew what was coming. I think we have a genuine Oscar-contender on this front. They should also consider Fontaine, along with production designer Suzie Davies, whose visually striking recreations of the Vatican feel like the genuine article. 

All of the intrigue between the Cardinals of Conclave puts modern politics into perspective. I'm sure you'll be reminded of certain events as the Cardinals hold vote after vote. It's quite captivating to see the process play out, even if it's supposed to be a speculative tale. What we see are the Cardinals made personable, for the most part, the kind you'd want to casually talk to. Its established cast all add more great roles to their resumes, while Diehz has a great breakout role. There are plenty of surprising secrets in Conclave, and unlike the actual process, the doors are open for you. I think it's an invite worth taking.