Conclave: Movie Review

Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow
Director: Edward Berger

Throughout most of its runtime, Conclave takes its slightly absurd concept and pushes it into levels of cinematic sophistication.

Whether it's shots of red-robed clad cardinals walking with white umbrellas taken from above or Ralph Fiennes' studied performance as the Dean in charge of the conclave, there's much that proves to be engaging in director Edward Berger's take on Robert Harris' book.

But unfortunately, events in the back of the film push the audience back into the realm of the pulpy page-turner, having spent so much time out treated with intelligence.

Fiennes is Dean Lawrence, called in to oversee a hunt for a new Pope when the old dies mysteriously behind closed doors. As those who will vote and those who would stand descend on the Vatican with the world's eyes watching, Lawrence begins to have doubts over what could unfold.

Make no mistake - Conclave is beautifully and patiently shot. Long swathes of scene-setting imagery builds the atmosphere much more than any dialogue ever could, and it's striking to behold.

As whispered, huddled conversations begin to emerge from the shadows as this essentially character piece rises from its potentially static settings. Tucci, Lithgow and Fiennes all share some key moments, with the adage of less being more being masterfully deployed throughout.

However, in its final ending, the sumptuous cinematography isn't quite enough to jolt audiences back to the ground with the feeling that you're in an adaptation of a "page-turner".

That said, Conclave is definitely worth the papal it's written on.