October 11th 2024.
In the world of Hollywood, it's not often that a director gets to work with their dream actor. But for Conclave director Edward Berger, that dream became a reality when he was able to cast the legendary Ralph Fiennes as the lead in his upcoming thriller. Based on the popular novel by Robert Harris, the film follows Cardinal Lawrence as he navigates the intense process of choosing the next Pope, only to uncover shocking truths about the potential candidates.
The film has already received rave reviews, with critics praising Fiennes' performance as the film's protagonist. But for Berger, this was not a surprise. He knew from the beginning that Fiennes was the perfect fit for the role, and he couldn't imagine anyone else bringing the character to life. In a recent interview with Metro, Berger opened up about the casting process, explaining that Fiennes' name kept coming up as he and his team were developing the script.
As Berger worked with producer Tessa Ross and screenwriter Peter Strong, Fiennes' name continued to crystallize in his mind. He knew that the quiet, introspective nature of the character required an actor who could convey depth and emotion without relying on a lot of dialogue. And for Berger, that actor was Ralph Fiennes. As he put it, "Ralph is someone who invites us into a soul. I can see behind his eyes what's going on there and that felt very important for that role."
With all the buzz surrounding Fiennes' performance, many are wondering if this could finally be the year that he takes home an Oscar. It's been almost two decades since his last nomination, but with his powerful portrayal in Conclave, he may just break his dry spell. And he's not alone in his brilliant performance, as he is joined by a stacked cast including John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini.
While the Vatican reportedly helped Harris with research for his novel, Berger confirmed that they were not involved in the film adaptation. He emphasized that it was important for the religious institution to maintain their distance from the project. However, he did mention that several Cardinals have expressed interest in watching the film, including a 92-year-old Jesuit professor from New York who is eager to see it.
For Berger, Conclave was a major switch-up from his previous award-winning film, All Quiet on the Western Front. But that was a conscious decision on his part, as he always wants to challenge himself and take on projects that feel different from his previous work. He believes that this is an important aspect of growth as a filmmaker, and it allows him to push past his fear of failure.
With the combination of Berger's directing and Fiennes' performance, critics are already calling Conclave a "pulpy papal thriller" with a "brisk, page-turning allure." They also praised Fiennes as "simply hypnotic" and someone who "commands each frame with the angst of someone for whom self-expression is both a luxury and a danger." It's clear that this collaboration between director and actor has resulted in a truly compelling and captivating film.
Conclave is set to hit UK cinemas on November 29, and fans are eagerly anticipating its release. But for now, we can all marvel at the incredible chemistry between Berger and Fiennes, and hope for more collaborations from these two in the future. After all, as Berger said, "I think it's a really important part to just change gears every time."
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