Edward Berger put himself on the map with his last outing, an adaptation of All Quiet On The Western Front. The film won Best International feature at the Academy Awards and also won Berger a BAFTA for best director. Now, he’s all set to make his English language feature debut with Focus Features’ Conclave, which is based on the book by Robert Harris.
He has also assembled quite the ensemble for his first English feature that includes Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini. The film revolves around the conclave as the Cardinals search for a new pope. The synopsis reads “Conclave follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – selecting the new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope”. When a matter such as succession is being discussed, ambition and greed often take over men, and this political institution also has its fair share of candidates that eye the title.
Conclave was long touted as a book that is very difficult to adapt for the big screen, but the experienced Peter Straughan who wrote the script expertly adpats it. Even though I haven’t read the source material myself, I can safely say that this is more than a worthy adaptation in all aspects. His storytelling style easily balances the heavy themes and layered characters and every scene feels precisely crafted.
The film opens with the unexpected passing of the pope and right from the get go, Berger’s sets a tense tone and you can feel the ominosity in the atmosphere. As the 3-day papal conclave begins, secrets start to unfold which forces Dean Lawrence to rethink who he can truly trust. The movie mostly stays in the political-thriller zone but it also has a dark and sly sense of humor, which makes it unexpectedly funny and enjoyable, sometimes even in heavy moments, and it works.
Ralph Fiennes as Dean Lawrence is absolutely terrific. He has a very apparent sense of vulnerability but also brings calmness and care to the scene. His character is going through his own struggle with faith and to say that his faith is tested here is an understatement. He is forced to question everything he thinks he knows. Stanley Tucci is always charming and adds a resolute fierceness to his performance which makes it even more compelling. His scenes with Fiennes are some of the best in the movie.
Lithgow is also unsurprisingly very good here, and so is Rossellini. But the character that will steal the show in the end will surprise you. The lesser you know about it, the better. Talking about Oscar chances, Fiennes is the only true genuine candidate for a nomination, others don’t get enough screentime in my opinion but still have an outside shot of getting in. The most likely would be Tucci, but I wouldn’t bet money on it.
The other main stars of the movie are Berger and Volker Bertelmann. Berger’s vision is so clear that he never lets you get distracted or forget about any of the characters or subplots. There is a running theme in the movie that circles back in the final scene and leaves a huge impact, which reminded me of Oppenheimer. The twists are also handled so carefully and none are sensationalized unnecessarily. The blending of with witty humor with the high stakes situation also never feels unnatural. His direction will once again prove that he is truly one of the most unique filmmakers in the industry. Bertelmann’s score is also easily one of the year’s best.
Conclave is a pulse-pounding political thriller that thrives under Berger’s vision and an Electric Ensemble. It is easily one of the best films of the year and will surely be a big player at the Oscars next year. The intense drama and deceit keep you on the edge of your seat and you will never see the final twist coming. Berger’s first English language feature is a resounding triumph.
Conclave will release in theaters on November 1.
