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Conclave (film)

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Conclave
US theatrical release poster
Directed byEdward Berger
Screenplay byPeter Straughan
Based onConclave
by Robert Harris
Produced by
  • Tessa Ross
  • Juliette Howell
  • Michael Jackman
  • Alice Dawson
  • Robert Harris
Starring
CinematographyStéphane Fontaine
Edited byNick Emerson
Music byVolker Bertelmann
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • 30 August 2024 (2024-08-30) (Telluride)
  • 25 October 2024 (2024-10-25) (United States)
  • 29 November 2024 (2024-11-29) (United Kingdom)
Running time
120 minutes[1]
Countries
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$20 million[2]
Box office$15.2 million[3]

Conclave is a 2024 mystery thriller film directed by Edward Berger and written by Peter Straughan, based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris. The film stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, and Isabella Rossellini. In the film, Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Fiennes) organizes a papal conclave to elect the next pope, and finds himself investigating secrets and scandals about each candidate.

Conclave premiered at the 51st Telluride Film Festival on 30 August 2024, was theatrically released in the United States by Focus Features on 25 October 2024, and is scheduled to be released in the United Kingdom by Black Bear UK on 29 November. The film received positive reviews from critics, with specific praise for the performances and cinematography.

Plot

After the Pope dies of a heart attack, the College of Cardinals gathers in seclusion for a papal conclave to choose the new pope, under the leadership of Cardinal-Dean Thomas Lawrence. The College is surprised to meet Archbishop Benitez of Kabul, who explains that the late pope secretly made him a cardinal.[a] The four main candidates for pope are: Bellini, a liberal in the vein of the late pope; Adeyemi, an economic progressive with socially conservative views; Tremblay, a mainstream conservative; and Tedesco, a reactionary traditionalist who wants to reverse parts of the Second Vatican Council. Bellini and Lawrence are the two leaders of the Church's liberal wing, but neither claims to want the job. Lawrence recently tried to resign his post as Dean due to a crisis of faith. Bellini does not want to be Pope, but is willing to do it to prevent Tedesco's ascension.

Before the first vote, Lawrence gives a speech encouraging the cardinals to embrace doubt and uncertainty, which is seen as by some cardinals as a campaign speech. Lawrence learns more about Cardinal Benitez, including that he had a medical appointment in Switzerland which was canceled. Further, the late pope's confidant tells Lawrence that the pope demanded Tremblay's resignation before dying. Tremblay denies this and offers an eyewitness, who defends Tremblay but mentions a report that was "withdrawn."

After the first vote, no candidate is close to the two-thirds majority needed for election. However, Adeyemi has a slight edge, and Bellini and Lawrence split the liberal vote. Without a unity candidate, the liberals consolidate behind Adeyemi over the protests of Bellini, who despises Adeyemi's homophobia. Bellini accuses Lawrence of secretly trying to win the papacy for himself, an allegation Lawrence denies.

As balloting continues, a nun from Nigeria who handles domestic tasks for the conclave causes a stir by confronting Adeyemi in the cardinals' refectory. She confesses to Lawrence that she had a son with Adeyemi when she was 19 and he 30. Lawrence confronts Adeyemi, who confirms the story. Although Lawrence is duty-bound to keep the secret, the inevitable confrontation at the refectory starts a whisper campaign that derails Adeyemi's candidacy. Adeyemi suspects a setup, as the nun had never left Nigeria before appearing at the conclave. The head nun, Sister Agnes, informs Lawrence that Tremblay transferred the nun from Nigeria to the Vatican. Lawrence breaks into the late pope's apartment and finds documents showing that Tremblay bribed cardinals for votes. Bellini urges Lawrence to burn the documents. During this conversation Bellini concedes that he agreed to support Tremblay's candidacy in exchange for a prestigious bureaucratic appointment.

Lawrence and Agnes publicize Tremblay's bribery to the cardinals, thereby destroying Tremblay's candidacy. Following this, Bellini apologizes to Lawrence and explains that Lawrence and Tedesco are now the only remaining major candidates.

During the fifth vote, a suicide bomber attacks the Vatican, killing many in the crowd outside and damaging the Sistine Chapel. Tedesco attempts to use the attack to his political advantage by blaming Islamists and calling for the Church to fight a war against Islam. Benitez responds that violence should not be met with violence, saying he has seen the true cost of war during his time in the Congo, Baghdad, and Kabul. Moved, the cardinals elect Benitez as pope on the sixth ballot.

Shortly before Benitez's election is announced, Lawrence is informed that the late pope had paid for Benitez's canceled medical visit, and that it was for a laparoscopic hysterectomy – news that would force Benitez to step down if made public. He confronts Benitez, who explains that he did not know he was any different until he had an appendectomy as an adult and the surgeon discovered that he has a uterus. He is intersex, assigned male at birth, and has a penis, uterus, and ovaries. Benitez chose to keep his female organs, as "I am as God made me." Lawrence keeps Benitez's secret, and stares out his dormitory window as the crowds cheer Benitez's election as Pope Innocent XIV.

Cast

Production

It was announced in May 2022 that Ralph Fiennes, John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rossellini were set to star in the film, with Edward Berger directing.[8] Additional casting was announced in January 2023 as production began in Rome.[9] Filming also took place in Cinecittà.[10] Filming concluded in March.[11]

The set designers took great care to replicate the Sistine Chapel, though they took some artistic license with the Domus Sanctae Marthae. Because they felt that the real version was rather dull, they made their set more prison-like to enhance dramatic tension. Costume designers visited Gammarelli, Tirelli Costumi, and several museums in Rome as part of their research. For the cardinals' red attire, customer designer Lisy Christl opted for a hue used in 17th century cardinal vestments, rather than one from modern day ones, believing it be "far more beautiful and far easier for our eyes".[12]

Release

In August 2022, Black Bear Pictures' newly founded British distribution arm acquired U.K. distribution rights to the film from FilmNation Entertainment, serving as one of its first acquisitions and maiden releases in the United Kingdom; Black Bear's company Elevation Pictures also serves as Canadian distributor.[13] Steven Rales served as one of the executive producers, co-financing the film via his production company, Indian Paintbrush.[14]

In November 2023, Focus Features acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.[15] In July 2024, Conclave was announced as part of the Special Presentations section for the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival scheduled for September 8, 2024.[16][17] The film would subsequently be announced as part of the lineup for the Telluride Film Festival, where it will have its world premiere.[18] Venice Film Festival director Alberto Barbera explained why the film did not play at Venice: "I didn't think it was a Competition film for Venice but I invited it Out of Competition. We tried to figure out timing for it to play here and at Telluride, which they also wanted, but we couldn't find the right dates and timing for it to work. We discussed various options but couldn't get the time that suited everyone. It's a shame."[19]

The film was released in the United States on 25 October 2024.[20] It was previously scheduled for a limited theatrical release on 1 November before opening wide on the following week.[21] It is scheduled to be released in the United Kingdom on 29 November.[1]

Reception

Box office

In the United States and Canada, Conclave was released alongside Venom: The Last Dance, and was projected to gross $4–6 million from 1,753 theaters in its opening weekend.[2] The film made $2.5 million on its first day, including $500,000 from Thursday night previews. It went on to debut to $6.6 million, finishing in third;[22] 77% of its audience was over 35 years old, while 67% was Caucasian.[23]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 92% of 193 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8/10. The website's consensus reads: "Carrying off papal pulp with immaculate execution and career-highlight work from Ralph Fiennes, Conclave is a godsend for audiences who crave intelligent entertainment."[24] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 79 out of 100, based on 43 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[25] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale, while those surveyed by PostTrak gave it an 84% overall positive score, with 62% saying they would "definitely recommend" it.[23]

The film's cinematography received praise.[26][27][28] The film's ensemble cast was also praised,[28][26] with Fiennes' and Castellitto's performances receiving particular acclaim.[27][29][30][31]

The plot received some criticism,[32] with Katie Walsh of the Los Angeles Times calling it "a pretty thin and silly mystery ... that seems like it's deeper than it actually is."[33] IndieWire's David Ehrlich agreed that the film was "very silly but wonderfully staged ... even if the film might be a bit too convinced of its own dramatic import."[30] The Chicago Tribune's Michael Phillips praised the film's "delicious portraits in pursuit, deceit and evasion," but noted that the climactic suicide bombing was "the most shameless coincidental timing of a huge explosion since who knows when."[34]

Vanity Fair's Richard Lawson said that the film rightly portrayed "both the seriousness of [the conclave] process and the campy ridiculousness of it," and thought that the film "touch[es] fingers with prestige greatness while keeping its feet firmly planted in the realm of rollicking entertainment."[35] Manohla Dargis of the New York Times noted that the film's stance towards the Catholic Church mirrors Hollywood's own stance towards its film industry: "lightly cynical, self-flattering and finally myth-stoking."[29]

Critics disagreed on the final twist regarding Benitez's sexual organs. Lawson called it "reckless" and insufficiently thought through,[35] while Variety's Peter Debruge called it "one of the most satisfying twists in years, a Hail Mary that both surprises and restores one's faith (maybe not everyone's, but certainly that of the disillusioned)."[36]

Religious response

John Mulderig of the Catholic OSV News opined that in Conclave, "rival viewpoints within the church are caricatured with a broad brush ... and the deck is predictably stacked in favor of those who advocate change." He warned that "all moviegoers committed to the church’s creeds will want to approach this earnest, visually engaging but manipulative — and sometimes sensationalist — production with caution."[4] The Archdiocese of Los Angeles' Angelus magazine complimented several of the actors' performances but dismissed the film, writing that "The problem here is not that it is full of bias against the Catholic Church. The problem is that it is just plain bad. ... At the crucial moment, [Benitez] gives a speech so full of platitudes it could have been written by ChatGPT."[37] On the other hand, the progressive National Catholic Reporter praised the film, calling it "a compelling and ecclesial call for a renewed spiritual stewardship characterized by humility, meekness, and, curiously, doubt."[38]

Kate Lucky of Christianity Today, an evangelical publication, called the film "gorgeous" and "riveting", and said that "though the film subtly advances progressive convictions, it gives cardinals of all ideological persuasions equal opportunity to fall short."[39]

Bishop Robert Barron bluntly reacted in a tweet: "Just saw 'Conclave.' If you are interested in a film about the Catholic Church that could have been written by the editorial board of the New York Times, this is your movie. The hierarchy of the Church is a hotbed of ambition, corruption and desperate egotism, Conservatives are xenophobic extremists and the liberals are self-important schemers. None can escape this irredeemable situation. The only way forward is the embrace of the progressive buzz words of diversity, inclusion, indifference to doctrine, and the ultimate solution is a virtue signaling Cardinal who takes the Papal name of Innocent and who is a biological female. Since it checks practically every woke box, I’m sure it will win a boatload of awards, but my advice is to run away from it as fast as you can."[40]

Accolades

Award Ceremony date Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
San Sebastián International Film Festival 28 September 2024 Golden Seashell Conclave Nominated [41]
Mill Valley Film Festival 16 October 2024 Audience Overall Favorite Won [42]
Camerimage 23 November 2024 Golden Frog for Best Cinematography Stéphane Fontaine Pending [43]
Santa Barbara International Film Festival 15 February 2025 Outstanding Performer of the Year Award Ralph Fiennes Won [44]

Notes

  1. ^ Under present canon law, it would have been illegal for Cardinal Benitez to attend the conclave, as in pectore appointments end with the pope's death unless the pope publicly announces the appointment. The novel attributes Benitez's presence to a recent change in canon law, but the film does not mention the change.[4]
  2. ^ In the Catholic Church, the title "Cardinal" goes between the titleholder's first and last names.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Conclave (12A)". British Board of Film Classification. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony; Tartaglione, Nancy (22 October 2024). "Venom: The Last Dance Hopes To Boogie To $150 Million Global Opening – Box Office Preview". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 23 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Conclave – Financial Information". The Numbers. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  4. ^ a b Mulderig, John (11 October 2024). "Movie Review: 'Conclave'". Catholic Review. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  5. ^ Perlman, Merrill (21 February 2012). "Cardinal Sins". Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  6. ^ McCluskey, Megan (25 October 2024). "Conclave Author Robert Harris on the Origin of His Best-Selling Vatican Thriller and Its Stunning Twist". TIME. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  7. ^ Jones, Oliver (23 October 2024). "'Conclave' Review: Papal Succession As a Mystery Thriller". Observer. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  8. ^ Whittock, Jesse (11 May 2022). "Ralph Fiennes To Lead Conspiracy Thriller Conclave With Edward Berger Helming; John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci & Isabella Rossellini Join Cast With FilmNation Selling At Cannes Market". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  9. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (31 January 2023). "Ralph Fiennes-Led Vatican Thriller Conclave From All Quiet on the Western Front Filmmaker Adds Cast, Begins Shoot (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  10. ^ Vivarelli, Nick (15 September 2022). "Cinecittà Studios Revamp Gets Traction With More Soundstages, International Productions Including Ralph Fiennes Thriller Conclave". Variety. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  11. ^ "'Conclave'". Backstage. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  12. ^ Povoledo, Elisabetta (25 October 2024). "'Conclave': A Fly on the Wall Inside the Secret Process to Elect a Pope". New York Times. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  13. ^ "Black Bear International Bolsters Leadership Team As Company Announces U.K. Distribution Plan". Deadline Hollywood. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  14. ^ Bergeson, Samantha (18 July 2024). Thompson, Anne (ed.). "Conclave Trailer: Ralph Fiennes Uncovers a Religious Conspiracy in Edward Berger's Latest". IndieWire. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 11 October 2024. FilmNation Entertainment and Indian Paintbrush – with Steven Rales serving as Executive Producer – co-financed the film.
  15. ^ Yossman, K.J. (10 November 2023). "Edward Berger's 'Conclave,' Starring Ralph Fiennes and John Lithgow, Acquired by Focus Features For U.S." Variety. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  16. ^ "Conclave". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  17. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (22 July 2024). "TIFF Galas & Special Presentations Lineup Includes World Premieres From Angelina Jolie, Mike Leigh, Gia Coppola; Starry Pics With Jennifer Lopez, Lily James, Dave Bautista; Int'l Premieres 'Conclave' & 'Piece By Piece', More". Deadline. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  18. ^ Hammond, Pete (29 August 2024). "Telluride Film Festival Lineup Includes 'Saturday Night', 'The Piano Lesson', 'Conclave' & 'Nickel Boys' World Premieres". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  19. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (2 September 2024). "Venice Chief Alberto Barbera On Apple's Wolfs Strategy, The Petition Calling For A Boycott Of Israeli Films & Journalists' Ire Over The Lack Of Talent Access". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  20. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (13 September 2024). "Focus Features' 'Conclave' Going A Week Earlier This Fall & Wide". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  21. ^ Grobar, Matt (8 March 2024). "Edward Berger's Papal Thriller 'Conclave' Starring Ralph Fiennes Sets U.S. Release Date With Focus". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  22. ^ "Domestic 2024 Weekend 43". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  23. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (28 October 2024). "'Venom: The Last Dance' Trips Stateside With $51M Opening, But Makes Up For Shortfall Abroad – Sunday AM Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  24. ^ "Conclave". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 31 October 2024. Edit this at Wikidata
  25. ^ "Conclave". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  26. ^ a b Macdonald, Moira (24 October 2024). "Review: 'Conclave' is a thrilling peek into one of the Vatican's biggest mysteries". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  27. ^ a b Travers, Peter. "Review: Ralph Fiennes delivers a master class in acting in 'Conclave'". ABC News. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  28. ^ a b Burr, Ty (24 October 2024). "'Conclave' is a Vatican melodrama with mass appeal". The Washington Post. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  29. ^ a b Dargis, Manohla (24 October 2024). "'Conclave' Review: Serpents and Doves Amok in the Vatican". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  30. ^ a b Ehrlich, David (31 August 2024). "'Conclave' Review: Ralph Fiennes Tries to Keep the Faith in a Very Silly but Wonderfully Staged Papal Thriller". IndieWire. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  31. ^ Ebiri, Bilge (25 October 2024). "Is a Movie About Electing a Pope Allowed to Be This Entertaining?". Vulture. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  32. ^ Weaver, Jackson (25 October 2024). "Conclave is slick, unserious — and verging on great". CBC News.
  33. ^ Walsh, Katie (24 October 2024). "Review: In 'Conclave,' a quest to elect a new pope leads down some less-than-holy pathways". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  34. ^ Phillips, Michael (24 October 2024). "'Conclave' review: A deluxe Vatican mystery, with Ralph Fiennes monitoring a shifty-eyed flock of cardinals". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  35. ^ a b Lawson, Richard (9 September 2024). "'Conclave' Is a Compelling Papal Thriller That Makes One Major Misstep". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  36. ^ Debruge, Peter (31 August 2024). "'Conclave' Review: Ralph Fiennes, Looking Tortured, Leads a Tense Search for a New Pope". Variety. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  37. ^ Rebeggiani, Stefano (22 October 2024). "'Conclave' review: Cardboard characters and silly plot twists". Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  38. ^ Lee, Zachary (19 October 2024). "'Conclave' bridges pulpy thrills with spiritual commentary". www.ncronline.org. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  39. ^ Lucky, Kate (24 October 2024). "'Conclave' Takes Power—and the Papacy—Seriously". Christianity Today. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  40. ^ X. 4 November 2024 https://x.com/BishopBarron/status/1853457340697018563/. Retrieved 4 November 2024. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  41. ^ Taylor, Nick. "San Sebastián Announces Their Competition Slate!". The Film Experience. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  42. ^ "AwardsWatch - 'Conclave' Wins Top Audience Award at 47th Mill Valley Film Festival". AwardsWatch. 16 October 2024. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
  43. ^ "THREE MORE MAIN COMPETITION FILMS REVEALED! – EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2024". camerimage.pl. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  44. ^ "AwardsWatch - Ralph Fiennes to Receive Outstanding Performer of the Year Award at 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival". AwardsWatch. 30 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
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