This Canadian, New Zealand film features English and Maori language. Directed by Nat Boltt. Starring Judy Davis, Miriam Margolyes, Elijah Tamali, and Jacki Weaver. Rated PG (mild themes, coarse language and drug themes). 101 min.
Review by Peter W Sheehan, Jesuit Media Australia
The film features a group of Catholic nuns who take a trip across New Zealand to retrieve the deeds of their convent which have lapsed and their convent is going to be taken away from them by a Property Developer. They are accompanied by a young boy Brian (ElijahTamati) in search of heaven, and grieving for his mother who has died. The nuns believe they are on a mission to save him, and he doesn’t want a new woman to take his mother’s place.
Three famous Australian actresses feature in the film. Judy Davis plays Sister Agnes, Miriam Margolese plays Sister Luke, and Jackie Weaver plays Sister Mary Clare. The film is based on a novel by the same name, which is authored by Dame Joy Cowley.
The film is the debut film of Director Nat Boltt. Comedy routines are adopted by the three nuns which convey the message that they are eager to be involved in everything that is going on. They travel in a stolen car, take money, and engage in bribery. The boy accompanying them is devastated by the loss of his mother and he is looking for guidance and comfort from the nuns – he wants his mother, and the nuns want their convent back.
The film features psychical and psychological comedy involving three devout nuns which might be a problem for some viewers, but the presence of a young boy wanting religious comfort and psychological support at a time of stress could help to moderate possible negative effects that otherwise might stem from watching the movie.
The film is good-hearted but slight. Its main appeal stems from a group of seasoned actresses showing that they clearly enjoy working together. It is a film, however, that projects its appeal in a restricted and loose way. Too often, the crudity of the nuns’ comic behaviour and intent fail to sit comfortably with viewer assumptions about other purposes that might exist in the nuns’ lives.
Peter Sheehan, an Associate of Jesuit Media