Who would have thought one of the best films in 2024 would focus on the election of a Pope, arguably more relevant than ever following the recent selection of Pope Leo XIV.

The film largely follows the crowd pleasing novel of the same name by Robert Harris, an author who likes to dabble in fictionalising real events, lightly airbrushing famous people.

The story starts in the most obvious of ways, the current Pope passes away and we follow the ritual of how his successor will be chosen.

As many viewers may contemplate, how do you choose someone to be God’s representative on earth, when theoretically all choices are far to humble to contemplate ascending to the role.

The reality of course, is like any “corporation”, there are many who wish to climb the greasy pole and will do whatever it takes, despite hiding their light under many bushes to hide that fact.

The man charged with arranging the “Conclave” of the title is “Lawrence” (Ralph Fiennes), who anchors the film as candidates rise and fall.

The rigid method of choosing the next pontiff, with black and white smoke indicating success and failure, is cinematic in the extreme. Anyone would think it had been designed as such, to distract from other issues….

The film follows the Conclave as various secrets are unearthed and candidates fall by the wayside, hoisted on their own petard of previous indiscretions and own hubris. Isabella Rossellini one of the few female characters to get a look in, which is no surprise of course, still manages to make an impact in her few scenes.

Stanley Tucci adds the usual sense of reality, among a cast of slightly more cardboard characters played by John Lithgow and Lucian Msamati. Sergio Castellitto as the Italian fire breathing hard-liner, intent on dragging the church back to the Middle Ages, more Latin liturgies, not less.

Candidates who might open up a more balanced world view are on offer, others that scheme and plot, exemplifying their hypocrisy despite the values they purport to uphold.

Fiennes delivers a beautiful monologue as “Lawrence”, breaking from his Latin based homily platitude, moving to English as he speaks from the heart. A beautiful piece of writing and exquisitely delivered, containing many truths.

Maybe, just maybe, the very man they all search for is right in front of them?

The cinematography highlights the work completed by the wardrobe department. Never has being a cardinal looked so cool. Backgrounds and especially the Sisten Chapel are cleverly realized via sets and non obvious CGI. One suspects the Vatican were not rushing to offer assistance to such a production.

Summary

Director Edward Berger takes the book by Robert Harris to new heights, transcending the slightly trashy novel into something better, with a beguiling turn from his lead actor.

With or without a religious bone in your body, there is much to enjoy here.