Film No. 13 (2024) February 10th. 7:00 PM PALACE Raine Sq, Cinema 1, Perth City.
"This supervision of an election is a duty I thought I'd never have to perform." (Cardinal Lawrence is in shock as he deals with the death of The Pontiff and accepts this new role bestowed upon him).
WINNER: Best Ensemble Cast (Edward Berger) Critics Choice Awards. NOMINEE: Best Motion Picture (Edward Berger) Oscars.
Does a conclave represent the best backdrop to understanding the politics involved in electing leaders? It's hard to argue otherwise ... CONCLAVE is both insightful and beguiling in this sphere.
British author, Robert Harris, wrote the novel of the same name. The film adaptation tells the story, entertainingly. Director Thomas Berger (ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT) using the talents of Peter Straughan (screenplay) has created a "potboiler" full of intrigue, tension and reflection, and with a fulfilling twist. The exquisite skill of Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal-Dean Lawrence leads us through the dark tunnels needing to be navigated in this forced lock-down. All the Cardinals from around the world coming together to elect a new pope, leading to an arm-wrestle between the Progressives and the Traditionalists. Questions to be asked are: Do those who covet the job disqualify themselves because of their ambition? And, do women have a role in this process?
This very polished film sparkles. Tucci, Lithgow, Rossellini and Fiennes buff the quality of Berger's vision, but the soundtrack by Volker Bertelmann (VB) rivets us to our seats. Of all it's Academy nominations (8), I hope VB gets to hold an Oscar high. 11GUMS.
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