Sister Act (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
A trashy Reno lounge singer witnesses her murderous lover in the act of a mob crime, and is sent to a convent under the Witness Protection Program in 'Sister Act', directed by Emile Ardolino. At first, "Sister Mary Clarence" (Whoopi Goldberg) has trouble fitting in. The Reverend Mother (the great Maggie Smith) knows why she's hiding in the convent; but none of the other conservative, impressionable nuns do. Much chaos & hilarity ensues.
But so, too, does danger - like when Sister Mary Clarence's mobster boyfriend (a nasty Harvey Keitel) discovers her whereabouts. The climactic showdown btwn. SMC, the nuns, the mobsters & a helpful police lieutenant (Bill Nunn) is contrived, silly, but rousing, nevertheless. By the end of the movie, Sister Mary Clarence changes the lives of the nuns for the better; even leading their choir to national fame.
I just love this movie. Sure, it's far from high quality cinemahhh, but it doesn't matter. Whoopi Goldberg is phenomenal as Mary. You just really pull for Sister Mary Clarence; and that's a testament to Whoopi's measured, comedic, yet also dramatically sound performance. She's funny, she's moving -- it's a great star turn. Mary Wickes made me chuckle as an older nun in the choir. Wendy Makkena plays the meek, impressionable Sister Mary Robert who, with Sister Mary Clarence's help, breaks out of her shell & becomes a great singer {I was sad to find out her singing was dubbed}.
Kathy Najimy is hysterical as the cheerful, robust, roly-poly soprano-voiced Sister Mary Patrick. And Maggie Smith is a hoot as the Reverend Mother. I mean, who doesn't love Maggie Smith? The idea/concept that a lounge singer finds a mission in life that both transforms her & help others makes for a nifty little movie. I loved the nuns. I loved the rousing musical performances. If you want to have a fun time, definitely check out 'Sister Act'.
But so, too, does danger - like when Sister Mary Clarence's mobster boyfriend (a nasty Harvey Keitel) discovers her whereabouts. The climactic showdown btwn. SMC, the nuns, the mobsters & a helpful police lieutenant (Bill Nunn) is contrived, silly, but rousing, nevertheless. By the end of the movie, Sister Mary Clarence changes the lives of the nuns for the better; even leading their choir to national fame.
I just love this movie. Sure, it's far from high quality cinemahhh, but it doesn't matter. Whoopi Goldberg is phenomenal as Mary. You just really pull for Sister Mary Clarence; and that's a testament to Whoopi's measured, comedic, yet also dramatically sound performance. She's funny, she's moving -- it's a great star turn. Mary Wickes made me chuckle as an older nun in the choir. Wendy Makkena plays the meek, impressionable Sister Mary Robert who, with Sister Mary Clarence's help, breaks out of her shell & becomes a great singer {I was sad to find out her singing was dubbed}.
Kathy Najimy is hysterical as the cheerful, robust, roly-poly soprano-voiced Sister Mary Patrick. And Maggie Smith is a hoot as the Reverend Mother. I mean, who doesn't love Maggie Smith? The idea/concept that a lounge singer finds a mission in life that both transforms her & help others makes for a nifty little movie. I loved the nuns. I loved the rousing musical performances. If you want to have a fun time, definitely check out 'Sister Act'.