
It’s amusing and captivating to witness familiar actors treading dramatically across a set resembling the Vatican, donned in authentic cardinal attire, in Edward Berger’s papal drama, ‘Conclave’. This is just one of the many charms this production offers. Seeing Stanley Tucci sporting his red Zucchetto at an angle reminiscent of 30s newsboy style? I’m on board! Watching Ralph Fiennes suggest the immense responsibility he bears under his scarlet capelet is far greater than its actual weight? Count me in! ‘Conclave’, a tale about cardinals plotting and strategizing as they strive to select a new pope, is an enjoyable watch. Although it’s fictional, it skillfully portrays the Vatican’s allure – from the swinging gold ecclesiastical necklaces to the comfortable red leather slippers. However, beyond its stylish depiction, it delivers a larger, weightier message: the Catholic Church needs reform to avoid becoming as brittle as the remains of an ancient saint. (The screenplay was adapted from Robert Harris’s novel by Peter Straughan.)