Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.5

Conclave Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Justin Dekker December 26, 2024

Based on the 2016 novel of the same name written by Robert Harris ('Fatherland'), Focus Feature's 'Conclave' arrives on Blu-ray disc courtesy of Universal. When the reigning pope passes away, Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes, 'The Menu', 'The Grand Budapest Hotel') has the unenviable assignment of leading the process of selecting a new pope. As he shepherds the cardinals through the highly secretive age-old event, he must navigate the strong personalities and varying agendas of those vying for the role while unraveling the mysteries that surround each of those holy men. With an outstanding cast featuring John Lithgow ('Third Rock from the Sun'), Stanly Tucci ('The Lovely Bones'), and Isabella Rossellini ('Blue Velvet'), 'Conclave' is directed by Academy Award-winner Edward Berger ('All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)'). Supplemental material includes a short behind-the-scenes feature and a commentary with the director. A DVD disc is not included, but the release does have a slipcover and a Digital Code redeemable through Movies Anywhere.

As the film opens, a man is seen from behind as he hurries through streets, then hallways, and finally into a small and austere apartment where he is almost instantly informed that the Pope has died. It's Fiennes, who is obviously a person of some authority. After some discussion about his health, his schedule on what turned out to be his final day, and other tactical details, Ralph Fiennes's Cardinal Lawrence begins the unenviable task of leading the intensely secretive process of selecting the new pope. Several frontrunners quickly emerge: Lithgow's Cardinal Tremblay who is characterized as calculating and manipulative, Tucci's progressive Cardinal Bellini, Lucian Msamati's (See How They Run) Cardinal Adeyemi who is something of an underdog, and prolific Italian actor Sergio Castellitto's profoundly conservative Cardinal Tedesco. As with any selection process, other surprising candidates emerge, adding complications to an already complex situation. As the Cardinals are sequestered to make their choice, Cardinal Lawrence is left with few allies and fewer resources to unravel the mysteries and questions left in the wake of the previous pope's death in order to make sure only the most worthy are presented as viable candidates.

I have something of a confession to make. In the early part of my corporate career, I possessed the notion that those in positions of leadership were somehow "better" than the rank and file. Clearly, to be a CEO, CIO, CFO, etc., at a Fortune 500 or 100 company a person had to be one of, if not the smartest person in the room, capable of seeing connections, anticipating opportunities, and making decisions more quickly and more unerringly than others. It wasn't long after some interactions with those at that level that I was disabused of that belief. While they possessed a certain level of knowledge and experience, they weren't necessarily the smartest, the most insightful, or the most effective leaders of people. They had biases, blindspots, faults, and weaknesses. They, in short, were fundamentally no different than almost anyone else on the payroll, and were in their positions by virtue of some mix of hard work, good luck/timing, and who they knew.

Something very similar to that lesson occurs early in Conclave. Soon after the Pope's death, Cardinals from the world over arrived in Vatican City, tasked with selecting the next pope. As the sizeable group of men prepares to be sequestered for the first of several rounds of voting and the inevitable political machinations related to that process, the camera spends time capturing their activities. In order to endure what's to come, they cram in screen time on their phones and hurriedly smoke as many cigarettes as possible. These are the first clues that those we're about to see participating in the sacred selection process are no different than any other human who walks the earth. Initially, these actions that are at odds with our expectations begin to raise the tension. This tension escalates more naturally and rapidly as the men's ambitions, prejudices, fears, hate, and other faults come to light and more directly impact the film. The beginning of the investigation into the events preceding the Pope's death which raises a number of questions creates even more unease. Were things really as innocent as they seemed, or are more sinister things lurking below the serene surface?

Ralph Fiennes, despite his scripted role of Cardinal Lawrence, the man in charge of the selection process, has another even more important role to play in Conclave. He is the living embodiment of this uncertainty and tension. Due to the necessary secrecy and isolation, he has no real outlet for his own concerns and doubts about those put forward as a potential replacement for the global leader of the Catholic faith. The more he investigates the potential issues about some of these men's past and present actions, the more his burden only grows, with the anguish behind his eyes becoming palpably larger. Many of his conflicted feelings, concerns, and fears are never vocalized, with Fiennes struggling with them and suffering under their ever more crushing weight in silence, his burden multiplying with each vote, each new piece of information, and each unexpected event. His performance is so subtle, complex, and layered, that not even his Cardinal Lawrence, from whose perspective we witness the events of the film, is completely absolved of our suspicion and doubt.

In a film with so many wonderful performances, Lithgow, Tucci, and Castellitto in particular, Isabella Rossellini demonstrates, again and again, just how much can be done on screen with so little material for her character committed to paper. Her Sister Agnes is most often seen carrying out her essential but typically unrecognized and unappreciated work in silence. While she may not have a voice or authority, she is clearly intelligent and observant and nothing escapes her notice. While she does have a few moments with choice bits of dialogue, the true power of her performance is what she is able to convey and emote in silence.

The silence that Fiennes and Rossellini use so effectively in their performances is something that Berger himself leverages repeatedly. Fiennes' long walk to the Pope's chambers as the film opens is primarily accompanied only by the sound of his breathing. Many of the critical voting scenes transpire without dialogue. Later, as Fiennes searches for key evidence to understand what occurred just before the Pope died, the protracted scene again plays out wordlessly. Even when characters are together discussing hopes, feelings, or worries, there isn't a pressing need to fill each moment with sound. Here, too, there can be long, lingering silent moments as characters grasp for words or process what they've just heard. Raising the decibel level slightly, other conversations in empty hallways or darkened stairwells are hushed, almost whispered, drawing focus to the perceived need for secrecy and casting doubt on motives. Considering that one of Conclave's most memorable moments occurs when sequestration begins and doors lock and windows are shielded by heavy shutters creating a sealed environment, the film feels claustrophobic, but even considering the overall size of the cast, it never feels crowded and almost never noisy. It all plays out at odds with the audiences' assumptions. Only the dining hall is suitably loud and populous. Contrary to expectation and adding to the sense of isolation and discomfort, every other room, hallway, and courtyard is virtually empty, and, most often, silent. It could be argued that Conclave is a bottle movie, but the cinematography, performances, and oppressive silence make it a pressure cooker.

Conclave Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Lensed by cinematographer Stéphane Fontaine, Conclave looks quite striking. The 1080p transfer typically reveals high levels of detail allowing the viewer to observe every line of worry and care on the faces of both Rossellini and Fiennes, every tear, and later, every speck of dust. Given the focus on costuming, viewers will also delight in the realistic fibrousness and stitchwork of the robes and their decorative elements, as well as the sometimes elaborate and other times unkempt hairstyles sported by the diverse attendees of the conclave. Woods appear warm with grain and scrollwork discernable. The intricate sets reveal a massive amount of detail for the viewer to consume and appreciate, such as brushstrokes on paintings, intricate mosaic tiles, veins in marble elements, and the ornate artifacts and decorations that fill the religious settings. Reds, the main primary on display in the film, can run the gamut of being deep and richly saturated and also vibrantly popping depending on the situation. Whites can also approach brilliance as seen in various robes, tablecloths, and runners. Skin tones are healthy. I did not detect any banding or compression issues. The only real issue is that blacks can sometimes crush detail, though at certain moments it may be the case that the darkness is meant to be impenetrable to heighten the sense of isolation and secrecy in certain scenes. It's a very solid transfer.

Conclave Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The English Dolby TrueHD 7.1 audio wonderfully supports the on-screen action and the orchestral score which is used to support the mood and amplify dramatic tension is beautifully rendered. Strings are precise and delicate at times, deep, rich, and heavy at others. Sound effects are realistic, whether the gently tinkling hammer employed by Lithgow's Tremblay or the imposing and thunderous closing of the doors and shutters as sequestration commences. Voices are handled well, whether they be whispered utterances or shouted protestations. They're always properly prioritized and center- focused and sit above all other sounds. Directionality is accurate, and though a rare occurrence given the subject, objects can and do move fluidly through the field. Surrounds are used to provide ambient sounds of praying voices, construction work as the Lawrence prepares for the arrival of the Cardinals, and the crowded dining hall. Bass is excellent, adding depth to the score, actors' voices, and sound effects as well. In the case of the latter, they can sometimes be quite jarring and surprising, which is clearly the intent. Larger chambers and courtyards sound appropriately and realistically spacious and echoey. It's an excellent track.

Conclave Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Conclave's on-disc supplemental material is as follows:

• Sequestered: Inside 'Conclave' (16.47) - Key members of the cast and crew discuss the locations, their roles, who they came to the project, and key memories from the creation of the film. Time is spent on casting, locations, and costuming as well. It's short but interesting.

• Feature Commentary with Director Edward Berger - In this wide-ranging and free-flowing commentary, Berger covers every aspect of Conclave's creation and production with remembrances and asides driven largely by the on-screen action. He addresses the multi- year journey to bring the project to the screen, the casting of the film which began with identifying Fiennes for the role of Cardinal Lawrence and progressed from that point, and his joy at watching Tucci and Fiennes in their scenes together. Time and attention are given to the the cinematography and the influence of the techniques used in spy/political thrillers from the 1970's with their longer shots and slow, creeping zooms. The sets, both locations and studio-based are discussed, addressing what location elements could be used and what had to be crafted or re-created. There is also some discussion on which set elements were augmented with blue screens. Costuming also resurfaces repeatedly during the commentary, as he discusses choices made and the inspirations for the differing ways in which the Cardinals are dressed to reflect their personalities and points of origin. Berger clearly possesses encyclopedic knowledge with regard to all of the topics discussed, and for as much as he shares, it's clear that there is much more that there simply isn't time for him to recount.

Conclave Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

In one of the richest and layered performances of his career, Ralph Fiennes, as Cardinal Lawrence is the quiet and resolute force that propels the secretive proceedings and the associated mysteries through to their eventual terminus, and Oscar buzz around the film is already starting. It's a deliberately slow affair and an unusual thriller that unfolds without a breathless chase or a gunfight to escalate tension. In Conclave, that amplification is increasingly handled by the emotions, concerns, suspicions, and fears percolating and occasionally bubbling over behind Fiennes' expressive eyes and ever-more agonized visage as he attempts to ensure that the correct person is chosen to lead one of the worlds oldest and most powerful religions. Graced with sumptuous costumes as well as excellent locations and meticulously crafted sets, it's a veritable feast for the eyes as the viewer's mind continuously examines the puzzles at hand. While some may choose to wait for the 4K release which is due in February of 2025, the more impatient, those without 4K capabilities, or those who only buy more effects-heavy or visually complex films on 4K will certainly want to add Conclave to their collections. Strongly recommended.