Conclave – Movie Reviews by Ry!

Conclave – Faith and Conspiracy: I Believe … In You

When you stand to face the world, will you waver or endure?  Through the challenges of life, the paths become an encounter of test and consequence.  In any specific moment a riveting of tales can blossom, leading to experiences worth telling … especially on the big screen.  In this review, I look at the latest drama film.  Within a simple idea, Conclave is a character film that showcases what it truly means to find cause in endearing faith.

Tasked with managing the most secretive event in the world, Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) must navigate faith and conspiracy as the Catholic Church selects a new pope.  I’ve mentioned it before in previous reviews, but at the heart of storytelling is its characters.  With the genre of drama, there is a heightened sense of endearment, a raw grip that must bring moments of true conviction.  To do that, the heartiness of its characters must be at the forefront.  With this tale, it starts with a simple foundation of relevancy, but slowly moves into moments of fragility and zeal.  In the beginning, we witness the passing of the pope.  After a few predictable and conversational moments, the film shifts its focus to Cardinal Lawrence, who has been tasked with managing the voting process known as the Conclave.  After another series of conversational scenes, we get introduced to the rest of the Cardinals, as they arrive in the Vatican.  Once they start coming together, the film moves along a linear but slow burn direction, a methodical buildup within the web of personal intrigue, ominous circumstances and individualistic motives.  From Cardinal Lawrence to the other Cardinals, Bellini (Stanley Tucci), Tremblay (John Lithgow) and Adeyemi (Lucian Msamati), it is their perspectives that build up the political conflict (in the church).  This level of characterization creates a grip through dialogue, layering emotional worth within themes of personal messaging and faith.  As each person pursues different appeals in the ‘voting’ process, it becomes a manner of the human ordeal driving position and purpose.  For all that could have been driven by predictable clichés, the strength of acting puts power within the words of conversation, building up realism within the moments that become a raw spin for each person … what does your heart tell you is right within faith. 

As Cardinal Lawrence manages the Conclave through its voting process, each round provides an onlook at the conflict between personal endeavors and ideological dreams.  As each round leads to inconclusive results, the levels of ‘outside’ influences start to brew conspiracies within.  As more truths about people (and situations) come to light (for Lawrence), it puts everything at the crossroads of conviction and trust.  As things start to shake the foundation of the process, we head into a third act that brings about true revelations of the moment.  As things finally come full circle, we head into a reflective climax and a wholesome epilogue.  Conclave is a riveting drama with strong characters, dialogue and storytelling.  If you are a fan of the actors involved, character driven tales or dramas, this is one for you.  There are a lot of amazing details in this film, an award worthy kind of experience.

Full Score – 4.5 out of 5 (Award Worthy)