When I first heard about Conclave it sounded like prestigious homework, but it’s as enthralling as The West Wing for many of the same reasons. A mystery thriller that takes the viewer inside the election of a new Pope, starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini and John Lithgow. The story has perhaps one surprise too many, but from the first scene you get a number of fascinating details about the ceremonial aspects of the conclave and the care that goes into preparing everything, from the voting to the meals.
The technical details are all grand to where nothing about the Sets by Suzie Davis or Costumes by Lisy Christl appear to be embellished for the cinema. Even the Cinematography by Stéphane Fontaine (Jackie) is a series of paintings that feel composed entirely by natural light. What’s even more incredible is that we’re in places where cameras are not allowed in real life, so it’s all a recreation. For example, the Sistine Chapel was built on a stage using scenery from a previous show that had been packed away. Davies had her team put it back up, add elements the previous show didn’t have – like the floor – and give everything a fresh paint. 10 weeks later… the Sistine Chapel.
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