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Conclave: A Review.

Writer's picture: Sam WardSam Ward

Edward Berger, 2024.



Starting the year strong with Oscar buzz following its Golden Globes success, Conclave immediately captured my attention like no other film. The story centers on the College of Cardinals as they convene to elect a new pope after the death of the current head of the Catholic Church. At the heart of this high-stakes process is the Dean of the College of Cardinals, tasked with uncovering buried secrets about the leading candidates to ensure the sanctity of the position. It's a gripping premise for a screenplay, adapted by Peter Straughan from Robert Harris'novel and one that resonated with the Golden Globes Foundation (formerly the Hollywood Foreign Press Association), earning the film the award for Best Screenplay.


The film boasts an exceptional cast, featuring John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini, and the incomparable Ralph Fiennes in the lead. With a lineup like that, it was bound to deliver on the acting front and it absolutely did. The film garnered nominations in multiple prestigious categories, including Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director, Best Motion Picture Drama, and Best Score. The latter deserves special praise: the score is nothing short of electrifying, expertly heightening the tension and keeping me on the edge of my seat, everything you want from a thriller soundtrack.



While the film moves at a deliberately slow pace, it compensates with razor-sharp dialogue, simmering tension, and a powerhouse performance from Fiennes. The story's backdrop is one of the most secretive events in the world, which is brought to life with dramatic license, as the author of the original novel and the screenwriter weave a tale of intrigue and power. Each cardinal represents a different vision for the papacy: one is a staunch traditionalist, another seeks modernization, a third campaigns to be the first African pope in centuries, while another positions himself as the least divisive candidate. This dynamic interplay fuels the films tension, with Fiennes character serving as the linchpin that holds it all together.



What stood out most was how vividly I could envision the screenplay itself as I watched, an unusual and high compliment. I can only imagine the thrill the author had crafting the novel and the joy Straughan experienced adapting it for the screen. For me, Conclave is a masterclass in storytelling, and I eagerly await its reception at the Oscars. It's not just the best film I've seen this year its a clear contender for top honors.


My Rating 9.5/10.

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