By Roger Childs

…  like any election, it’s a fraught one with high stakes regardless – here in a contemporary setting, there are competing sides hoping to push Catholicism either back or forward, to embrace diversity or to expel it. –Benjamin Lee, film critic of The Guardian

Selecting a new leader

A conclave [literally ‘with key’] is a private meeting and the participants may range from a board of directors to a coven of witches. However, with a capital C “Conclave” refers to the process of electing a new pontiff. This film is about the college of cardinals gathered in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel doing just that. They must stay in the hallowed surroundings until someone gets a majority and the burning ballot papers produce white smoke from the Vatican chimney announcing the election of a new pope.

The coordinator of the election is Cardinal Dean Lawrence played by Ralph Fiennes. This is an extraordinary performance by the English actor as he leads the electoral process; negotiates with the candidates; coordinates the domestic arrangements with Sister Agnes (played by Isabella Rosselini,) and endeavors to maintain harmony among the men from around the globe who wear the red hats.

Conclave is a thriller as well as a fascinating and informative coverage of how things are done, as the key candidates jockey for support and unexpected developments occur. Four and a half stars.

Many twists and turns

Whilst the electoral process unfolds there are many surprises, the first being the arrival of an unexpected guest — the Cardinal of Kabul — recently appointed by the late Holy Father. All the leading candidates give excellent performances playing the cardinals in their magnificent robes with measured dignity – Stanley Tucci as the liberal American Aldo Bellini, moderate Cardinal Joseph Tremblay played by John Lithgow and Lucian Msamati in the role of conservative Nigerian Cardinal Adeyemi. 

As the various ballots are carried out without success there is plenty of intrigue, back-stabbing, revelations of past misconduct and surprising coincidences. Through is all Cardinal Lawrence remain calm, firm and in control. 

It is hard to fault Conclave as director Edward Berger keeps the story moving along employing Peter Straughan’s superb screenplay and Stéphane Fontaine creative cinematography.

 The film never moves out of the Vatican, but produces plenty of drama, suspense and intrigue. It is also highly interesting and educational on a process which only occurs every twenty years or so. Above all it is a vehicle for Ralph Fiennes to demonstrate his immense talent.

Conclave, 120 minutes, is currently screening at the Shoreline and elsewhere.