The Nun's Story (B+ or 3.5/4 stars)
Audrey Hepburn portrays Sister Luke a postulant of a Belgian order in 'The Nun's Story' (directed by Fred Zinnemann). The 1st section of this lengthy film depicts how Gabrielle van der Mal (Hepburn) became a nun in the 1st place. We witness the various laborious stages through which she has to pass before taking her final vows. Through scenes with the Mother Superior (a stellar Edith Evans), the film articulates the spiritual stress & rigorous education that every nun must go through. The script, based on a best-seller, depicts Sister Luke's internal spiritual tug of war btwn. her vows of chastity, silence, & particularly obedience; she wants to be a great nun but may not be made of the stuff that necessitates a great nun. For her, it's all or nothing. Be a great nun or go home.
Though frequently disillusioned in her hit & miss efforts - at one point she is nearly killed by a mental patient (Colleen Dewhurst) - Sister Luke still perseveres. Sent as a nurse to a missionary hospital in the Belgian Congo, an assignment she'd been desperately hoping for, Sister Luke is almost immediately disappointed to learn that she will not be aiding the natives, but only the European patients. Through the example of no-nonsense surgeon, Dr. Fortunati (Peter Finch), Sister Luke slowly sheds her high & mighty idealism & learns to be a diligent worker; so much so that she contracts TB from one of her patients.
She brings further stress upon herself by quietly falling in love with the doctor (a big no-no); but she suppresses her feelings. Upon the outbreak of WWII, Sister Luke tries to honor the edicts of her order & not be partial, but this becomes nearly impossible when she discovers that one of her family members is killed by the Nazis. Denied the right to avenge her family member by serving as a nurse with the Belgian 'underground', she finds herself unable to endure the discipline of her order. And so, struggling to remain true to her vows, Sister Luke must decide whether or not to leave the order or return to civilian life. Either she loses her soul as a nun, or tries to regain it by leaving. No solution is perfect, but in her heart, a decision has to be made.
Fred Zinnemann combines a film of heady ideas (about the human conscience & soul-searching) with strong images (aided by beautiful color cinematography). I would say that 'The Nun's Story' is a very ... solemn movie. It is languorous in pace & contemplative in tone. Though nothing particularly wonderful happens, it is very voyeuristic (on the way of the life of a nun, which happened to interest me). Also, this film is not very pro-religion; which is impressive, because most films from this era wouldn't dare speak poorly about Catholicism, or question spirituality. So with all of that, I suspect that the movie will not be for everybody.
Having seen quite a few of his films now, I feel that Fred Zinnemann directs simply, intelligently, but in a very restrained manner -- I dare say, dull. Still, I think it's a high quality motion picture with a luminous lead performance by Hepburn -- since her speaking voice can 'sometimes' grate with me, her performance comes across particularly well due to her expressive eyes, elegant gestures & quiet internal struggles. Peter Finch is also good as the tropical doctor who leads Sister Luke to reassess her ideals & ways of life. And all of the nuns, portrayed by Edith Evans, Peggy Ashcroft, Mildred Dunnock, & Beatrice Straight add great verisimilitude to the movie. But mileage on your opinion of 'The Nun's Story' may vary based on if you like films of this ilk or are okay with arguably defeatist endings.
Though frequently disillusioned in her hit & miss efforts - at one point she is nearly killed by a mental patient (Colleen Dewhurst) - Sister Luke still perseveres. Sent as a nurse to a missionary hospital in the Belgian Congo, an assignment she'd been desperately hoping for, Sister Luke is almost immediately disappointed to learn that she will not be aiding the natives, but only the European patients. Through the example of no-nonsense surgeon, Dr. Fortunati (Peter Finch), Sister Luke slowly sheds her high & mighty idealism & learns to be a diligent worker; so much so that she contracts TB from one of her patients.
She brings further stress upon herself by quietly falling in love with the doctor (a big no-no); but she suppresses her feelings. Upon the outbreak of WWII, Sister Luke tries to honor the edicts of her order & not be partial, but this becomes nearly impossible when she discovers that one of her family members is killed by the Nazis. Denied the right to avenge her family member by serving as a nurse with the Belgian 'underground', she finds herself unable to endure the discipline of her order. And so, struggling to remain true to her vows, Sister Luke must decide whether or not to leave the order or return to civilian life. Either she loses her soul as a nun, or tries to regain it by leaving. No solution is perfect, but in her heart, a decision has to be made.
Fred Zinnemann combines a film of heady ideas (about the human conscience & soul-searching) with strong images (aided by beautiful color cinematography). I would say that 'The Nun's Story' is a very ... solemn movie. It is languorous in pace & contemplative in tone. Though nothing particularly wonderful happens, it is very voyeuristic (on the way of the life of a nun, which happened to interest me). Also, this film is not very pro-religion; which is impressive, because most films from this era wouldn't dare speak poorly about Catholicism, or question spirituality. So with all of that, I suspect that the movie will not be for everybody.
Having seen quite a few of his films now, I feel that Fred Zinnemann directs simply, intelligently, but in a very restrained manner -- I dare say, dull. Still, I think it's a high quality motion picture with a luminous lead performance by Hepburn -- since her speaking voice can 'sometimes' grate with me, her performance comes across particularly well due to her expressive eyes, elegant gestures & quiet internal struggles. Peter Finch is also good as the tropical doctor who leads Sister Luke to reassess her ideals & ways of life. And all of the nuns, portrayed by Edith Evans, Peggy Ashcroft, Mildred Dunnock, & Beatrice Straight add great verisimilitude to the movie. But mileage on your opinion of 'The Nun's Story' may vary based on if you like films of this ilk or are okay with arguably defeatist endings.