MOVIE REVIEW BY JACK WATSON
Conclave
Director: Edward Berger
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow
Genre: Political thriller
Rating: Three stars
Conclave is a look into the scandalous and political world of religion that’s fascinating to watch.
The film’s greatest asset is its visual presentation. It looks magnificent and that’s down to the cinematography, costumes, and the positioning of characters.
The men are dressed in red and look great with how sharp and symbolic it is among the neutral-coloured set pieces.
The way the Cardinals are arranged in the wide shots is also stunning.
The two-hour film uses that time to creep up on you.
The build-up to the elections isn’t my favourite portion of the film, but once the voting commences, the politics of it all captivates me.
Each major campaigner feels distinct but not fleshed out.
We learn about each candidate through conversations between Fiennes and Tucci and this can distract from being immersed among the bickering Catholics, which I enjoyed.
The film offers a dry sense of humour that subtly worms its way into the script.
On paper, humour doesn’t fit the script, but it never feels like a pace-breaker and naturally flows.
This is a peek behind the curtain into a world people tend not to think about with a thought-provoking ending that will have you talking.
- Jack Watson saw Conclave at Monterey Howick.
