Conclave (2024) Review

THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE DISCUSSED FILM. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

We always say the truth is important to find, but the big question what do we do with it after.


PLOT


Based on Robert Harris’ titular novel, Conclave begins in a period of tragedy where the Holy Father has just died of a heart attack and the College of Cardinals must elect a new successor under the leadership of Dean Thomas Lawrence who originates from the UK. Four ideal candidates are narrowed down between: American progressive reformer Aldo Bellini, Nigerian social conservative Joshua Adeyemi, Canadian moderate Joseph Tremblay and Italian traditionalist Goffredo Tedesco. In the midst of this election does he deny the request of the archbishop Janusz Wózniak (Jacek Koman) to resign Tremblay while Bellini shares his intent to keep Tedesco from winning. There would also be a last minute arrival of a Mexican born archbishop named Vincent Benítez who grew up in Kabul and became a cardinal in secret of the Holy Father the previous year. On the first day of voting does Adeyemi lead most votes and that same day, Monsignor Raymond O’Malley (Brian F O’Byrne) tells Lawrence that Benitez cancelled a medical appointment in Geneva that was booked by the Holy Father. On the second day, Adeyemi has a public argument with a transferred Sister Shanumi. Lawrence investigates and it turns out they had an illicit relationship and gave up their son for adoption. Through a whisper campaign, the Nigerian cardinal has chances of candidacy derailed and Bellini reluctantly backs Tremblay. With the help of head housekeeper/caterer Sister Agnes, Lawrence also finds out Tremblay arranged Shanumi’s transfer, as well as find documents indicating he paid cardinals for votes. They publicize this information on the third day and although the Canadian cardinal claims the Holy Father asked him to do so before he died, this removes him from contention. This would also get Lawrence on the same page with Bellini to go against Tedesco and before the former can vote for himself, that is stopped due to a suicide bombing that damages the Sistine Chapel. This does inspire Tedesco to call for religious war against Islam, but Benitez wins the argument with the opinion that their shouldn’t be a focus of political agenda over religious missions. This in turn would lead to him winning the argument, but Lawrence & O’Malley soon discover the reason of the cancelled appointment. The British cardinal confronts Benitez of the appointment who admits he was born intersex and has no idea he was born of both uterus & ovaries until having an appendectomy. He cancelled his appointment meant to be a laparoscopic hysterectomy because he didn’t want to deny how God made him to be. The film would end with Lawrence wandering Vatican grounds while everyone else celebrates the newly elected Pope Innocent XIV.


THOUGHTS


I was born with mixed religions in my childhood that affect my adulthood now, whereas my Mexican father identifies as Catholic and my Caucasian mother identifies as Christian. I don’t pick a side in this matter because religion has not defined my life, but more the decisions I make for myself. When I was RSVPed for a screening of this movie at Universal Citywalk, the first thing that came to my mind from the posters was understanding something big is hidden from the reality behind us. From start to finish, Director Edward Berger and writer Peter Straughan are able to lock us into something that is a peak game of chess which can be a way to interpret any kind of election and little would we expect the same to apply for who would be the new pope. Everything about this movie is enamoring to me with the elements of Volker Bertelmann's compelling score, fantastic production/costume design that express how beautiful it can be to be involved with people of God and sharp editing by Lisy Christl, it's so otherworldly to get through in the right way. At the end of the day, this is the kind of movie that'll leave you stunned once it's over because it brings up the importance in accepting fallibility in one another rather than be simple minded when it comes to inner changes. In the center of an impressive ensemble, Ralph Fiennes is excellent as Lawrence for pursuing the right leader rather than find greed in taking up to it himself. He's full of inner conflict throughout because he doesn't want to regret his decisions as he finds more truth than he can bare. You can have a quick chuckle when seeing Tedesco casually vape, but make no mistake Sergio Castellitto portrays him to be quite hungry for power as he intends to have downright prejudiced superiority should he have won. John Lithgow on the other hand made Tremblay quite a manipulate in his own right since he was arrogant enough to buy votes whether or not the preceding holy father really told him to. And as for Lucian Msamati, he portrayed Adeyemi as one who had his own knack for ambition, but being secretive too made him unideal of a candidate. The only man Lawrence truly trusted apart from his Monsignor was Bellini because Stanley Tucci made him the progressive reformer that accepted all kinds of beliefs of modern times, rather than keeping it old school like Tedesco. You’ll likely be rooting for him the most because he’s the only one who’s got a clear conscience on how he wants to approach the future of faith. He wants Lawrence by his side because he shares those beliefs rather than see him as a threat. Isabella Rossellini was also a delight as Sister Agnes because she showed stoicism when having Lawrence’s back. Even though she’s comfortable being silent, she’s not afraid to address what is true, hence commanding the room that scored her her Oscar nomination alongside Fiennes. At the end of the day, we’ll most likely be talking about everything focused on Benitez. Carlos Diehz makes him most inspiring because there’s a part of us that wants to be humble and courageous like him, being a true voice of reason Lawrence admires. I think he did the right thing in not having the surgery because that would be denying who he is with shame and he didn’t want to feel that way should he have done it. He didn’t bother telling anyone apart from the last holy father because although he accepts his differences, he knew it’d be a hassle for others to debate on if he belongs to be part of the church to begin with. Lawrence doesn’t go public with what he finds out about him because that would come off like rejection and he of course doesn’t intend to be biased. With him allowing the public to accept him, it creates the open future many wish for even if it’s not certain how it can follow through. All we can hope now by the end of it is accept our own opinions on what can come from accepting the diversity that makes us all unique from one another. In conclusion, Conclave is arguably one of the boldest Best Picture nominees for giving you second thoughts on what you believe in. If you want something unconventional in how you’re left guessing, see this now