Rent Conclave (2024)

Clever, Intriguing Thriller - Conclave review by GI

This is a broody conspiracy thriller full of intrigue even though the setting borders on the laughable. The plot centres on the selection of a new Pope by the Cardinals who gather at the Vatican and are hidden away busily voting on and on until a new Pope is selected. This procedure is apparently a secretive and traditional almost ceremonial procedure so who would believe that out of it this story of jealousies, dark secrets and devious plots has been woven. It really sucks you in and the performances are first rate especially Ralph Fiennes as an English Cardinal who has been charged with running the process known as a 'conclave'. There are some early favourites including Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto), a very right wing bigot and Cardinal Tremblay (John Lithgow, deliciously conniving) who harbours some troublesome secrets and Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci), who claims to be reluctant candidate but is he? All this plays out in a rather well written and superbly directed film that keeps you hooked. A near, compelling drama that is well worth checking out.

Top notch thriller - Conclave review by AER

Based on a Robert Harris novel, Conclave is an airport paperback in disguise, and it so engrossing. This is a very tense film with twist after twist, some a bit hard to swallow, but nonetheless sold by an excellent cast led by Ralph Fiennes, John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rossellini. I loved every minute of it. Never before have you heard such bombastic music to accompany the shuffling of paper as you will in Conclave! haha. Recommended for a different kind of 'police procedural-style' drama. Excellent, intelligent and as cinema should be, exciting.

9 out of 10.

Predictable Soapy Vatican Saga - Conclave review by PV

My favourite bit of this film was the setting, the buildings and sculptures of Rome and the Vatican.

As for the plot, well I could predict the film's end in the first half hour when the new character appears (NO SPOILERS) and the MAIn twist at the halfway point. It was obvious to me, really. And been done. Watch THE CRYING GAME (1989)

I like Robert Harris as an author esp his WWII/Nazi novels and esp his debit FATHERLAND though the TV movie of that from 1994 could be made better. MUNICH and V2 are worth a read too.

This, however, reminds me of RH's Roman novels, Pompeii etc, and I lose interest tbh. This is probably of interest to all of faith who liked the Da Vinci Code etc.

Me, I do not understand why the praise is being heaped on this movie, maybe it is the on-trend gender issues of identity politics? But, as I said, watch THE CRYING GAME or recent Flemish/Belgian film GIRL which is superb.

2 stars only. 1 of them for the lovely architecture and cinematorgraphy.