The Pope dies suddenly and Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) has been appointed to oversee the whole conclave process for finding a new pontiff. Lawrence had wished to leave Rome to retire to monastic seclusion, to deal with doubts that have assuaged him of late, but prior to his death the Pope had convinced him to stay. He is aware who the likely candidates will be, and is a close friend with one of them Cardinal Bellini (Stanley Tucci). Bellini is the leading figure on the progressive wing of the Curia. The other possible candidates Adeyema (Lucian Msamati) Tedesco (Sergio Castellitto) Tremblay (John Lithgow) are all traditionalists.
Trembley in particular is a reactionary hard liner, and is the person Lawrence least wishes to see win. Just as they are going into seclusion for the conclave, two unusual things happen. Lawrence is disturbed to hear rumours that the Pope had told Tremblay to resign over his involvement in a scandal. And a totally unknown Cardinal Benitez, secretly appointed by the Pope as Cardinal for Kabul turns up at the last minute. As the sequence of votes to narrow down the candidates take place, Lawrence reluctantly finds himself also emerging as a candidate, which begins to compromise his position managing the conclave. Particularly when circumstances start to suggest corrupt practices may have been used to tilt the vote in Tremblay's favour.
Based on the Robert Harris novel, Peter Straughan 's screenplay produces a tense and beautifully turned plot of intregue. In the centre of which Raplh Fiennes gives what can only be described as a star turn. He's in almost every frame of this film, with a worried or perplexed face trying to work out what's best to do. Needing to get to the bottom of the situation whilst not appearing to be prejudicially taking sides. Its a masterpiece of finely judged understated expression, whilst speaking volumes, that has rightly received awards nominations. Edward Berger's direction winds up the plot like finely tuned clock work, sharply and cleanly. With set piece bits of claustrophobic theatre in the Sistine Chapel that are expertly managed. This is a small unassuming gem of a movie.
CARROT REVIEW - 5/8
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