Ralph Fiennes plays the Cardinal charged with leading the election of a new Pope. Along the way are various machinations and revelations that keep the target moving and the audience guessing. The behind-the-scenes interactions and conflicts provide the film’s narrative flow. Director Edward Berger has crafted a grand, beautifully-shot film in traditional cinematic style. That does slow things down sometimes, esp. with lots of thoughtful pauses and tighter editing would have created more tension. The entire cast is top notch, including Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rosssellini. This is a compelling, big-screen, sometimes provocative drama. 
(3.5 / 5)
