‘Conclave' Screens at Telluride to Very Positive Reactions; Oscar-Worthy Ralph Fiennes

The 51st Telluride Film Festival kicked off last night. One of the more anticipated movies to world premiere there is Edward Berger’s “Conclave,” which screened in the early evening to very positive reactions.

It turns out that “Conclave” will be an across-the-board Oscar contender. The film, which tackles the papal conclave that elects Popes for the Catholic Church, is being dubbed a “thriller” and is said to be “visually stunning,” aided by Stéphane Fontaine’s cinematography.

Here’s the official synopsis:

Conclave” follows the secretive process of promoting a new Pope, led by Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) in the Vatican. However, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy as the other cardinals forge factions and rivalries to serve their own ambitions. As ambitions, divisions, and scandals start to boil over and the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lawrence realizes that the departed Pope had kept a secret from them that he must uncover before a new Pope is chosen.

Berger’s WWI epic “All Quiet on the Western Front” was well-liked by the Academy, it garnered nine Oscar nominations and won four statuettes, including Best International Film. It also became a big hit on Netflix, audiences loved the film. Itooks like “Conclave” will be following in its footsteps.

However, what most people seem to agree on is that Ralph Fiennes, an indisputably great actor, might finally win his first Oscar as a cardinal appointed the dean of the conclave who experiences a crisis of faith. Almost every reaction points out his “extraordinary” performance.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate Fiennes — an indisputably great actor of the stage and screen. Fiennes hasn’t necessarily gotten his due over the years. He’s always been overshadowed by more prolific actors, but absolutely deserves to be up there with the greats of the last 30 years.

Maybe “Conclave” is finally Fiennes’ time to win a golden statuette. His filmography is filled with impressive work: “Schindler’s List,” “Quiz Show,” “Strange Days,” “The English Patient,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” “In Bruges,” “The Red Dragon,” “Spider,” “The Constant Gardener,” “The Menu.”

The supporting cast in “Conclave” is said to be very strong, including John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rossellini. Suffice to say, Focus, who is releasing “Conclave” theatrically on November 1, might have a major player here.