The different cardinals vying for the position and the lengths some go to obtain it reflects how the decision to elect a new pope is wrapped up in power and greed. The liberal leaning cardinal played by Stanley Tucci deems the conflict among the cardinals to be a war, as the various differing perspectives on moral and social issues put forth by the newly elected pope will have massive implications on the wider Catholic community further signifying the stakes and politics at play.
Ralph Fiennes was exceptional and genuinely gives one of his best performances to date portraying a troubled cardinal questioning his faith and unreeled by the situation he’s in to lead the election among the conclave. The supporting performances further elevated the story from Tucci as the determined liberal cardinal vying for a more accepting church community, to Lithgow’s ominous demeanor who is ambitious and hungry for power, to Rossellini’s quiet preserved role as a nun who on the sidelines sees more than meets the eye.
The electrifying score portrays the film wholly as a thriller, from the score’s eerie strings at the beginning of the film during the ceremonial death of the pope plaguing the halls with uncertainty to the rapturous drumming sounds filling each scene with tension during the cardinals casting their ballots for the new pope elect, it thoroughly kept the story engaging and tense throughout. The cinematography particularly captures the perspective of Lawrence from close-up shots of him gripping his cap in stress to a shot of the back of his head and surroundings, there are various instances where we are made to identify with him and the decisions he is making, placing the weight of his decisions on us the viewer.
BFI LFF #2
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