The solemn drama Conclave has everything I want in a movie—namely, character actors in marvelous costumes arguing in dark rooms. Director Edward Berger is a pro who adores his veteran cast’s sour faces.
Based on Robert Harris' novel, Conclave gives a Cardinals-eye view of the ancient, secretive, quasi-democratic way the Catholic Church decides who gets to wear the Pope's magic ring. Doesn't sound dramatic? How about this: Vatican City is a snake pit of divas dressed like wizards. It's high-brow: politics are discussed briefly. And low brow: terrorists set off bombs outside the Sistine Chapel. Plus, there’s a holy papal plot twist.
Conclave is a silly, high-stakes office drama-meets-mystery (who's gonna be pontiff!?) starring a penitent Ralph Fiennes as Holy Columbo. Stanley Tucci is over-the-top as a do-gooder pope contender who doth protest too much. Conclave 2 should be about Isabella Rossellini's iron-willed nun; there simply wasn't enough of her.
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The Catholic Church is Spotless Bride if Christ.
Now in eclipse, no Pope in six decades.