Film Review - Conclave
On Monday evening, I immersed myself in Edward Berger’s Conclave, a taut, atmospheric thriller that masterfully balances reverence with modern intrigue. Anchored by Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence, the film unspools the tense proceedings surrounding the election of a new pope. Yet, what might sound like a staid premise is elevated by Berger’s deft direction and Stéphane Fontaine’s exquisite cinematography.
To simply call Fontaine’s work “beautiful” would be an understatement; it’s visually transcendent. The camera glides between divine, god-like overhead perspectives and intimate framing that recalls the grandeur of High Renaissance painting. Each shot feels purposeful, a painterly tableau that underscores the film’s meditations on power, faith, and human frailty.
What struck me most, though, was the interplay of the ultra-traditional—cardinals in ornate robes pacing the Vatican halls—and the refreshingly modern: secret texting, furtive glances, and even the casual lighting of a cigarette. This juxtaposition doesn’t just update the papal intrigue for a contemporary audience; it deepens the tension, reflecting the eternal collision between ritual and human imperfection.
Color plays a potent role in this narrative, particularly the omnipresent red of the cardinals’ vestments and the set design. The crimson hues radiate symbolism, evoking a visceral sense of sacrifice, ambition, and the blood-soaked struggle for power. Berger leans into these contrasts with confidence, letting the palette tell as much of the story as the dialogue itself.
Afterward, I found myself reflecting on an interview with Robert Greene, the author of The 48 Laws of Power. His ideas about the insecurities and self-serving motives that drive even the noblest-seeming figures resonated deeply here. Conclave reminds us that no one, not even those cloaked in holiness, is without their inner conflicts. Beneath the lofty rhetoric and solemn robes lie human beings, each wrestling with their own justifications for why their narrative—and their ambition—should prevail.
This film isn’t just a thriller about the election of a pope. It’s a meditation on the universality of ambition, frailty, and the eternal search for meaning in the face of our imperfections. A must-watch for anyone willing to sit with these questions, framed in the chiaroscuro of faith and human nature.