Courtesy of Focus Features
“I love the sense of internal conflict at the beginning…. “and I think he longs for a quieter life.”
In the process, gossip comes to light, and indiscretions ruin the hopes of some.
But Cardinal Lawrence, who was seriously considering leaving his post, doesn’t want the job…right?
Ralph Fiennes in ‘Conclave’.Courtesy of Focus Features
“He’s a man of spiritual integrity, and I thought that the screenplay portrayed that really well.
It wasn’t sentimental.
It showed fallibility; it showed doubt; it showed the humanness.
Ralph Fiennes (L) and Stanley Tucci in ‘Conclave’.Courtesy of Focus Features
It was neither a cynical takedown or satire on the Vatican, nor was it preaching and overly religious….
The big question is: Who is worthy?
Who is the right person to become Pope?
Isabella Rossellini in ‘Conclave’.Courtesy of Focus Features
Who will have the spiritual foundation and integrity to hold that position?”
One morning, it came to him.
“[Cardinal Lawrence is] interior.
Isabella Rossellini in ‘Conclave’.Courtesy of Focus Features
He doesn’t say most of the lines.
He’s satisfied with the second row.
He’s not the loudest.
Director Edward Berger (L) and star Ralph Fiennes on the set of ‘Conclave’.Philippe Antonello/Focus Features
He thinks more than he says,” Berger explains.
“Who is better at that than Ralph?
[He is] someone who invites us into his inner life, into his soul.
I can see what he’s thinking.
you could see it in his eyes.
I thought that would be interesting to watch in this case.”
“You have to be very precise when you have a small part,” Rossellini says.
I didn’t even have a gasp, but [Edward] didn’t want anything.”
“I love particularly [in that] scene that he made me the close-up.
When she speaks is very impactful.”
“And then the windows open in the end.
And then I find there’s not much juice left in the engine and a mental tiredness mostly.
And you think, well, why am I striving?
I don’t want to lose that,” theHarry Potteralum and two-time Oscar nominee reflects.
“Going into this business, you are hungry at the outset for opportunities.
And when they come, you grab them, and you want to run with them.
But I’m about to be 62, and you have the questions: What are you contributing?
What’s the value here?
What does it mean?
You’re lucky you got a job.
Shut up, sleep at the weekend, and go to work.'”
Their reaction still sticks with him.
You’re going to take a break.
you might do that when you are dead.'"
