Btexxamar
I like Black Panther, but I didn't like this movie.
Huievest
Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.
Billie Morin
This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows
masonfisk
A tale regarding the struggles of nuns during the launch of Vatican II in 60's is a message movie w/no message, a drama lacking it, a hodgepodge of cliches, notions & stereotypes if there ever was one. Ping ponging between homosexuality, religious hysteria & extreme penance, I wondered if I was watching a film about the battles for one's soul or an episode of Ninja Warrior where every contestant was wearing habits. If ever a story editor needed to wrest control of a script from a writer, this surely was the case.
percyporcelain
This movie is good at analysing the psychodrama of convent life but is likely a bit overdrawn and overwrought. As usual, there is an evil Mother Superior bent on humbling and humiliating the sisters and novices, this strays close to cliche but is well-played and genuinely scary. There are echoes of Nazi authoritarianism, e.g. inviting other sisters to condemn each other in a conspiratorial way. It's not all doom and gloom, there are moments of light relief but they are slightly cheesy. In the end, it's hard to decide whether the director is pro- or anti-Vatican II (and the Catholic church generally). We're told at the end that 90,000 nuns in the US renounced their vows after this liberalisation was introduced.
gbkmmaurstad
Several story lines, but the main story is that of Cathleen Harris (Margaret Qualley) growing up in rural Tennessee during the 1950's who decides at the age of 17 she wants to become a nun. She grows up in a single parent home, her parents divorced due her father's drinking and abusive behavior. Cathleen's mother Nora (Julianne Nicholson) works in a factory and makes no excuses for the men she shares her bed with.On a whim Nora takes Cathleen to the local Catholic church, her mother is not religious in the least, but thinks Cathleen should at least have some exposure to church. Cathleen is immediately in awe of the church and it's teachings. When the opportunity to attend a Catholic school comes up, her mother is hesitant, but agrees to let her attend when she is told there are full scholarships available. Cathleen is a quiet, shy girl and makes few friends in the years that she attends. She immerses herself in her studies and her faith. When Cathleen announces to her mother she is entering the convent to become a nun her mother is aghast and begins to think Cathleen has lost her mind. Cathleen listens to her mother's rants, does not say a word in response, and then simply walks away.Cathleen and nineteen others enter into the convent for a variety of reasons, but none as single minded as Cathleen. Just as she's entering the Sisters of the Beloved Rose convent, Vatican II (1962-1965) is underway which will forever change the Catholic church. Mother Superior (Melissa Lea) has spent forty years at the convent and believes there is no reason for the church to consider its relationship with society or other religions and continues to ignore the Vatican's new direction. She has spent her entire life within the walls of the convent and acknowledges she does not, nor does she want an identity outside of that.Cathleen undergoes emotional, mental, physical, psychological, sexual, and spiritual self examination as do all who have entered the convent. In the end, only five of the twenty will become "brides of Christ" and become nuns. Her mother can only observe from the outside her daughter's journey and hopes to reunite with her one day soon.Great movie for people who don't know much about the Catholic church and the changes they've made in attempt to be "more modern." One of the lesser know facts is over 90,000 nuns left their vocations during Vatican II due to those changes, one of which was nuns were no longer required to wear their habits.
Word of caution: Not for younger viewers due to sex scenes.
LelensClapperboard
I find myself a little indecisive about my opinion of this movie. Don't misunderstand me, it's not a bad movie, in fact I think it's good in many aspects, therefore the rating is 8/10. Let's start...First, a film that looks behind the scenes in religion always generates high expectations, like a hunger for gossip ... ha! And in this film several controversial issues are raised. The uncomfortable relationship between the nuns and the Catholic religion, the effects of religious openness (Second Vatican Council) for a significant part of the Catholic Church: the nuns; and the exploration, maturation and development of sexuality in the environment of chastity proper to the nuns, or in this case the novices.That said, indecision results from this matters being treated almost superficially, it is perhaps a mere presentation of facts, which leaves the viewer all value judgments (which is almost plausible). However, the relationship between the Reverend Mother and Sister Cathleen is sometimes painful, inappropriate in others, confusing and even tender, a chemistry very well achieved. The subjectivity of the faith is presented in a very honest and unpretentious way. I think finally constitutes an impeccable narrative.On the other hand, the performances are excellent, highlighting the interpretation of Melissa Leo. The setting and the wardrobe very well cared, the photography very evocative. In short, it is a film that undoubtedly brings up more questions than answers. Emotional and reflective.
