'Conclave' review: Ralph Fiennes stars in solid, well-crafted papal thriller

The Pope has died in the opening moments of "Conclave," and a power struggle within the Catholic Church begins. On one side stands Cardinal Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto), a fire-breathing conservative who rails against moral relativism and the gradual chipping away at Church traditions. On the other is Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci), a progressive who wants to push the Church into the modern era but doesn’t want the papacy himself — or so he claims.

Caught in the middle is Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), who’s running the conclave, in which cardinals gather to cast their votes — in total sequestration — for as long as it takes to choose a new pope. Lawrence’s job is not to lobby or campaign, but to make sure the process is fair and aboveboard. But it turns out the deceased pope had a secret, and Lawrence must uncover it before the final votes are cast.

Let’s state the obvious: "Conclave" works uncannily well as an allegory for the 2024 presidential election (with Lawrence representing the check or balance of your choice). Still, it’s essentially an old-fashioned, halls-of-power thriller, not too far removed from 1992’s "A Few Good Men" or 1964’s "Seven Days in May." It benefits from an uncommonly beautiful setting (the Sistine Chapel, albeit a soundstage version), an elegant screenplay by Peter Straughan (working from Robert Harris’ novel) and stately direction from Oscar winner Edward Berger ("All Quiet on the Western Front"). Add in a cast of impeccable actors, anchored by an intensely focused Fiennes, and you’ve got the makings of some very classy pulp fiction.

So classy, in fact, that it’s rated PG, milder even than a "Spider-Man" installment. Most of the action, if that’s the word, consists of heated conversations in well-appointed rooms. Lawrence plays detective, quietly but firmly interrogating the proud Cardinal Adeyemi of Nigeria (Lucian Msamati), the possibly dissembling Trembley of Montreal (John Lithgow) and even an obstructionist nun, Sister Agnes (Isabella Rossellini). Just when Lawrence thinks he’s got it all sorted, in drops Cardinal Benitez (Carlos Diehz), whom nobody even knew existed. Suspicion falls on Lawrence, too, when his own name is floated as pope.

Depending on your taste, the movie’s lack of on-screen sex and violence will be either refreshing or disappointing. At any rate, "Conclave" is a solid, engaging, well-crafted film that invites us into a little-seen world where even men of God deal in dossiers and disinformation. "Is this really necessary?" Lawrence complains during a strategy session with a papal hopeful. "I feel as though I’m at some American political convention."

By Rafer Guzmán

rafer.guzman@newsday.com@raferguzman