Conclave (2024)

Direction: Edward Berger
Country: UK / USA

From Andrew Berger, the German director behind the multi-award-winning anti-war epic All Quiet on the Western Front (2022), Andrew Berger, comes the more subdued Conclave. This religion-themed thriller, penned by Peter Straughan and based on Robert Harris’ 2016 novel, delves into the shadowy world of Vatican politics. Ralph Fiennes takes the lead as Cardinal-Dean Thomas Lawrence, a man grappling with a personal crisis of faith while tasked with overseeing the papal conclave following the pope's sudden death.

As the slow and ritualistic process of selecting the new leader of the Catholic Church unfolds, Lawrence encounters a web of secrets, conspiracies, prejudice, and ambition. Among the candidates vying for the position, one figure stands out: Vincent Benitez (Carlos Diehz), a little-known Mexican archbishop stationed in Kabul, whose presence stirs unease and curiosity among the cardinals.

Cocooned in gravitas and profound doubt, Conclave thrives on the nuanced performances of its  seasoned cast. Fiennes, for example, not only chews the scenery but savors it, as he expresses deep concern about the future of the church with Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rossellini offering strong supporting turns. 

Although not particularly groundbreaking in its clash of modernity and tradition within the Church, the film at least never commits the deadliest sin in cinema: boredom, providing enough good material to keep its iniquitous fires burning. Yet, this gun-free thriller—effectively blending faith, tradition, and politics—could have been even more gripping if infused with more scandal, intrigue, and mystery. Ultimately, your enjoyment of Conclave may depend on your perspective on its themes.

The Menu (2022)

Direction: Mark Mylod
Country: USA 

Gastronomy and madness go hand in hand in The Menu, a pungent psychological thriller served with large portions of humor. I found it agreeably witty despite the grimness, with an excellent performance by Ralph Fiennes in the role of reputed if enigmatic chef Julian Slowik, who happens to be a disgruntled sadomasochist storyteller. Mark Mylod, in his first theatrical effort, directs from a script by Will Tracy and Seth Reiss.

The chef’s special dinner is served in his exclusive restaurant located on a remote island. The menu is far from classic and the elitist guest list includes a vain food critic and her editor, a wealthy couple of regular customers, three arrogant business partners, a washed up movie star and his assistant, and the self-centered Tyler Ledford (Nicholas Hoult), an undisturbed food lover. The latter took his new date with him, the confident Margot Mills (Anya Taylor-Joy), without giving previous notice to the restaurant. Chef Slowik is particularly intrigued by her presence. 

Creative and unique in its conception, the film presents a dark side that haunts, scares and lingers. A number of substantive observations about one’s dreams and our society are to be savored, and the relaxed but steady pacing allows the buildup of an emotional crescendo. Giving us penetrating looks, Fiennes completely controls the kitchen, avoiding fussiness and sentimentality, while the the music composed by Colin Stetson - an estimable avant-garde multi-reedist - accompanies sophisticated plates and key moments alike.

By the way, never the thought and vision of a cheeseburger made such an impression on me. And by this time your appetite should be big for both the food and the movie.

The Forgiven (2022)

Direction: John Michael McDonagh
Country: UK

This adaptation of Lawrence Osborne’s book of the same name by director John Michael McDonagh isn’t exactly flat at its core, but it never comes together, resulting in an almost entirely predictable misfire. Bolstered with the solid acting of Ralph Fiennes (The Constant Gardener, 2005; Spider, 2002) and Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty, 2012; The Eyes of Tammy Faye, 2021), The Forgiven says too little as it attempts to formulate a direct critique of the cynical, hedonistic, and affluent Western dominance of African countries and the subjugation of their people. McDonagh, who impressed crowds with bold films such as The Guard (2011) and Calvary (2014), ran out of gas here as he sticks to a tightly wound narrative that, promising to surprise, lingers forever. He clearly looks for depth and maturity but ends up grabbing some dust in the air.

A terrible accident while driving through the Moroccan desert has profound repercussions on the lives of the Henningers, a wealthy British couple. He is David (Fiennes), a contemptuous alcoholic doctor whose words are constantly loaded with sarcasm; she is Jo (Chastain), a dissatisfied writer of children’s books who is open to new romantic adventures. While David agrees to be taken by the grieving Moroccan father (Ismael Kanater) whose son he ran over, Jo instantly forgets him, especially when Tom (Christopher Abbott), a gallant financial analyst from New York, is around. 

Superiority, mercy, compassion, and atonement are dutifully stitched into a diagrammatic patchwork that captures better the gut-ache of a broken 12-year marriage than anything else. A restrained, tepid tone is maintained throughout a drama film that should have added a little extra bite.

The Dig (2021)

Direction: Simon Stone
Country: UK

This second directorial effort from Simon Stone, a British actor turned director, is set in Suffolk, England, on the eve of WWII. Investing more than anything in its characters, the powerfully performed The Dig was adapted with satisfactory results by Moira Buffini (Jane Eyre, 2011; Byzantium, 2012) from the 2007 novel of the same name by John Preston. Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes lead a soberly efficient cast, playing Edith Pretty, a landowner with an interest in archeology, and Basil Brown, an experienced excavator, respectively. 

After discovering an Anglo-Saxon ship and other valuable relics buried for centuries in the Sutton Hoo, both will learn to deal with the tactless and domineering C.W. Philips (Ken Stott), a Cambridge archeologist who likes to have his own way.

Navigating the story’s period is easy since it was depicted with attention to detail, benefitting from the formidably composed images captured by the lens of Mike Eley (The Selfish Giant, 2013; Marley, 2012; and a few Roger Mitchell films). As a tolerable subplot, there’s this ruined marriage between the avid-for-love Peggy (Lily James) and the closeted gay Stuart Piggott (Ben Chaplin), two members of Philips team, who finally put an end in their relationship as their romantic interests are redirected.

Unfolding methodically with no ambiguities, the storytelling flows with interest but never reaches a climax per se as a consequence of scarce suspenseful moments. Instead, it burns with a constant flame that, never eradicating enjoyment, emits a light that never expands with novelty or surprise.