A solid film with excellent acting that engages the audience and is perfectly executed.
Rating: 4/5
Let me start saying this is is not going to change the world. We will not find everyone suddenly following the appeal against hate towards the end of the film. Neither will the Catholic Church suddenly transform and unite behind those within or without calling for overcoming plotting, scheming, hunger for power, turning the clock back, even maybe self-definition through stressing differences. Nor will it change anyone’s view of that church, whatever that view might be.
It is neither going to transform cinema. It is not suddenly proposing a new visual paradigm or present a new way of telling a story.
But than that is not what all of cinema has to be about and recent films have shown us how those attempts may fail.
First of all this is great cinema. It is well executed, convincingly acted, beautifully shot, well edited and has a soundtrack intelligently used to great effect.
The story is easily summarised. The pope is dead. The circumstances could be seen as suspicious, but this is not a classic whodunnit. As such, this avenue is not explored further, despite the fact that the last person that saw the Pope, Cardinal Tremblay, was dismissed by the Pope at the last meeting. Going down this route may have taken us closer to the story of the death of John Paul I.
The focus is on the process that follows, in particular the role of the Dean, Cardinal Thomas Lawrence. This character was renamed from the book by Robert Harris (which I admit I had not read), likely to accommodate an English language film. One of the curiosities is the name of Thomas for the Cardinal who battles with doubts in his faith and is representing the rational element in the drama. Cardinal Lawrence is brilliantly played by Ralph Fiennes who clearly brings across the inner struggles of the character in a relatable way.
The two major factions are the liberals, headed by Cardinal Bellini, played by Stanley Tucci. I admit I in general admire the work of both Fiennes and Tucci so may be considered biased but find them, as every one else, excellent. This is also a credit to a director who facilitates these performances.
The other main faction is that of the traditionalists, lead by Cardinal Tedesco. The choice of name, in this case one going back to the novel, is once again interesting. When the book was published, Ratzinger was still alive and having turned from liberal to very conservative early in his career can be seen as representing many of the espoused views of this faction.
The third apparent candidate for the papacy is the afremention Tremblay, standing for the corrupt elements not driven by a conviction either based in liberalism nor traditionalism but that of pure hunger for power, which is to be obtained by whatever means and for no clear purpose other than attainment of that power.
Then there is Cardinal Adeyemi, who is representing Africa, with the outdated extreme views on homosexuality as found in some African nations but otherwise to me not clearly defined views.
Enter Cardinal Benitez, from Latin America, who had been made Cardinal to Kabul, in secret, due to the risk associated with that position. Nobody knew of him but his appointment on inspection is deemed to be genuine.
The ensuing developments shall not be disclosed here to avoid spoilers. Sister Agnes (a wonderful performance by Isabella Rossellini) plays a vital part at one point.
The outcome could have been guessed but for a final twist relating to a trip Switzerland made by Benitez, seemingly with the support from the late Pope.
The whole film is beautifully shot. Some shots are actually not just well executed and beautiful but stunning, like Cardinals filmed from above walking with umbrellas past and around a fountain. Sisters descending stairs. And many more.
The soundtrack is memorable, working in great effect together with the editing.
I do wonder about other aspects of the story to explore but then this is an adaptation of a novel after all and those avenues likely were no options. But what if the Tremblay had a role in the death of the Pope, or if Lawrence had been aware of that final twist earlier on in the story.
All in all an excellent film, one to be enjoyed and appreciated for its superb execution across all areas.
I may appreciate experiments and still not enjoy them if ultimately they fail. And then there are times when you have, let’s say, a relatively simple meal, but every ingredient is perfect and all is perfectly balanced. I’ll definitely go for that.
stephan dilley 