A Book A Week

It’s been a while since I’ve done a Friday Flicks post here on the blog. Yes, I’m still watching plenty of movies, but I’ll admit that reviewing them on top of my weekly book coverage can be a bit much. Still, Conclave (2024) has been on my watchlist ever since I saw the trailer. When I found out it was based on a novel by Robert Harris, an author I’ve enjoyed in the past, I decided to read the book first.

I’m glad I did. The novel was a fantastic read, immersing me in the intrigue and tradition surrounding the election of a new pope. With Pope Francis's recent passing and a new conclave about to begin in real life, it felt like the perfect time to finally watch the film adaptation.

Edward Berger’s Conclave is a tense, cerebral thriller that pulls the curtain back on the secretive inner workings of the Vatican. The film immerses viewers in the centuries-old ritual of selecting a new pope following the sudden death of the Holy Father. Cardinal Lomeli (Ralph Fiennes), a man defined by his unwavering faith and moral conviction, is tasked with organizing the sacred proceedings. Though still mourning the loss of his mentor, Lomeli is bound by duty to shepherd the Church through this critical transition.

From the outset, it becomes clear that the conclave, intended to be a solemn, divinely inspired process, is just as vulnerable to earthly vices. Beneath the surface of reverence and ritual lie political machinations, long-held rivalries, and whispered ambitions. As 118 cardinals are locked inside the Vatican to cast their votes, Lomeli uncovers a shocking secret hidden in the late pope’s private correspondence—one with the potential not just to upend the outcome of the election, but to shake the very foundations of the Church itself.

Conclave is a masterful adaptation that faithfully brings its source material to life. Like the novel, the film challenges viewers to contemplate the fine line between divine duty and mortal failings. Ralph Fiennes delivers a quietly powerful performance as Cardinal Lomeli, a man torn between his spiritual obligations and the all-too-human flaws he observes within the Church’s highest ranks. Fiennes plays him with a calm intensity, grounding the film even as its stakes steadily escalate.

The supporting cast is equally impressive. John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini all bring gravitas and nuance to their roles, elevating the ensemble. Director Edward Berger approaches the material with a measured, deliberate style, allowing the story’s ethical questions and political intrigue to unfold without flashy distraction. Stéphane Fontaine’s cinematography captures the grandeur and shadowed secrecy of the Vatican with stunning precision. At the same time, Academy Award-winner Volker Bertelmann’s somber score infuses the film with a haunting sense of weight and urgency.

Part political thriller, part spiritual meditation, Conclave is a layered and compelling viewing experience that lingers long after the final scene. As both a fan of the book and someone always on the lookout for smart, gripping cinema, I’m thrilled to say that this Friday Flicks pick more than lived up to expectations.

Electing a new leader inevitably involves drama. You need only look at the last two weeks of the American Presidential race as evidence. Conniving, opportunism, and tumult are integral to the political process. Even campaigns championing hope and change eventually resort to some negativity. When it comes to electing a new Pope, the leader of the Catholic Church, one might expect a more solemn procedure. The ancient ritual of The Conclave, where the church's cardinals gather under holy seal to select their next leader, is among the most sacred traditions in the church. Nonetheless, it remains a political operation. In his novel Conclave, author Robert Harris delves into the inherent drama of this process, exploring the tension between men's ambition and their sacred duty.

The Pope is dead! The news of the Holy Father's passing spreads rapidly through Vatican City, bringing shock and sorrow to all who hear it. As Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Lomelli has worked closely with the Supreme Pontiff. Despite the somber news, Lomelli has little time to grieve. He must take on the day-to-day tasks of the Church as the people mourn and attend the Holy Father's funeral. Most crucially, Lomelli must initiate the Conclave, gathering all one hundred and eighteen cardinals to the city to cast their votes for a new Pope.

Behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel, the most secretive election in the world commences. These are holy men, bound by their commitment to serving the Lord. Yet, they are still human, burdened by the same failings they preach against. Whether they admit it openly or not, ambition has played a part in their journey. As the first ballots are cast and the race for the papacy heats up, secrets and past indiscretions begin to surface. The future of the faith rests in their hands, and within mere hours, one of them will become the most powerful man in the Catholic Church.

You might not expect a story about electing a new Pope to be completely absorbing, but in the deft hands of Robert Harris, it is precisely that. Harris crafts fully realized characters, each cardinal driven by distinct motivations. Like any political campaign, factions emerge, and alliances form, with differing opinions about the future of the Church fueling the conflict. The interplay between personal ambition and religious duty adds layers of complexity to these men. Can one follow the tenets of their faith while seeking to fulfill personal desires? This question is at the heart of Conclave. Just when you think you know where the story is headed, Harris takes it in a new direction. The ending, in particular, calls into question everything you thought you knew about these men, suggesting that only God can know His true intentions and any man who attempts to speak on His behalf does so in vain. This novel's political and spiritual intrigue thrills not through action but through intellectual contemplation, making for a surprisingly compelling and satisfying read.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

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