Conclave a front-runner for awards season - movie review

Although Conclave is about Catholic Cardinals choosing a new Pope, you don’t have to be Catholic or even religious to delight in this film. It’s a story that will intrigue audiences of all types, with a twist as surprising as the revelation in The Sixth Sense.

Ralph Fiennes plays the kindly Cardinal Lawrence who is also in charge of the proceedings to elect a new Pope. As events unfold, surprises and even a conspiracy come into play, leading to surprising and enlightening events.

Fiennes, who so convincingly played a despicable Nazi in Schindler’s List and the frightening Voldemort in the Harry Potter films, does an about turn in Conclave. He’s the complete opposite of these earlier roles and is barely recognizable as the gentle Cardinal Lawrence. It’s a testament to his enormous range of talent and should find him noted in the upcoming awards season.

A newcomer who will also likely be considered for awards is Carlos Diehz. Originally from Mexico, Diehz makes his home in Vancouver and was chosen to make his feature film debut as Cardinal Benitez opposite Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini, John Lithgow and Stanley Tucci. Diehz holds his own and then some, as his character shows strength and wisdom that belies his relative youth in comparison to the other candidates for Pope.

Stanley Tucci plays Cardinal Bellini, who at first claims anyone who would want to be Pope has to be insane, before it becomes clear that he's ruthless in his ambitions to become Pope at any cost.

There’s also Cardinal Tremblay (John Lithgow), who is rumored to have been asked to step down from his position by the Pope in his last days. Cardinal Lawrence must determine, even though the Cardinals have been sequestered, if there’s any truth to the rumor.

There seems to be no end to the doubts and rumors that Cardinal Lawrence must take into consideration as the Cardinals put their votes in time and again, hoping to find a clear winner – one who has more than 50 percent of the votes.

One Cardinal has a shocking secret that not’s divulged until the votes are in and a winner has been chosen -- and it’s something no one could have seen coming.

Despite the quietness that surrounds of the conclave, this is a fascinating film that doesn’t give the viewer a chance to lose interest in what’s happening – quite the opposite – you’ll be on the edge of your seat as events unfold, including a particularly catastrophic event just outside the Vatican.

This is one of the most clever films of the year with an astoundingly well put together cast, all at the top of their game -- and will leave you thinking long after the film is over.

5 out of 5 stars.

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Conclave opens this Friday. Click here for showtimes.