Over & Overs: "Sister Act"
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at 12:12PM
Please welcome new contributor Kyndall Cunningham...
As a churchgoing kid with a fairly good singing voice, choir took up a big chunk of my adolescence. I attended weekly rehearsals, went to my choir mates’ houses to practice and woke up at the crack of dawn on Sunday mornings to perform for the congregation (and God). I had a strong affection for gospel music, but my intense involvement in ministry at such a young age felt deeply uncool at times, if not isolating from the rest of the world. It wasn’t until I picked out Sister Act from my family’s VHS closet one day that I saw that part of my life tied to pop culture in an exciting way. Needless to say, I began screening the film religiously.
Sorry.
Like a lot of stories about women turning a new leaf, Sister Act begins with a breakup and ends with a love story...
For Deloris Van Cartier (Whoopi Goldberg), it’s a breakup gone wrong. When the Reno lounge singer attempts to dump her married mobster boyfriend (Harvey Keitel), she accidentally sees him shoot a man and immediately becomes his next target as a witness to the crime. She goes to the Reno Police Department where a lieutenant (Bill Nunn) puts her in a convent in a gritty San Francisco neighborhood under the leadership of the Reverend Mother played by an immaculately cast (sorry again) Maggie Smith. There, she struggles to adjust to a modest lifestyle and, after one too many slip-ups, is forced to revamp the church’s strikingly bad, nun-comprised choir as punishment.
Sister Act is most masterful in its blending of genres. It’s a fish-out-of-water comedy backgrounded in crime with musical and dramatic elements that also feels like a buddy film. None of these components or character dynamics feel shoehorned in, particularly the on-the-run aspect that the audience could easily forget once Deloris becomes fully invested in the convent. We’re reminded of the life-threatening stakes throughout the entire film even when Deloris neglects them. Of course, I can't forget to mention Goldberg's comedic chops on full display. Her delivery of Delores' inappropriate outbursts, including her shriek when she first sees herself in the nun uniform and her assertion in front of the women that music is better than sex, make Sister Act a laugh-out-loud comedy.
The integration and placement of musical performances throughout the film is extremely well done in my opinion, as someone who watches a lot of musicals or movies with music in them. I’m not sure who to credit for these choices, considering the original screenplay was penned by Broadway playwright Paul Rudnick but doctored so much that he would only accept credit under the pseudonym Joseph Baker. But whoever’s responsible for limiting the choir’s performances to two short songs and a grand finale found the perfect equilibrium between plot and music for a film clocking in at 100 minutes. We also aren’t forced to hear a solo ballad from Sister Mary Robert (Wendy Makkena), the shy, young nun who discovers her vocal talent (voiced by Andrea Robinson) and becomes less introverted throughout the film.
Lastly, one of the reasons I appreciate the original Sister Act over its more beloved sequel is that it’s interested in a group of people who aren’t obvious cinematic material. Yes, there are American films about nuns, many of them from the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s (The Trouble With Angels is one of my favorites). But a story focused on a group of pious middle-aged and elderly women, as opposed to urban high school students, learning how to sing is a less attractive premise, particularly when you think about the big studio films of the ‘90s. Nevertheless, watching this particular group of women learn from one another and eventually risk their lives for each other still feels like an incredibly unique and groundbreaking depiction in 2019.
Previously in Over & Overs...
- Moonstruck (1987) by Deborah
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) by Lynn
- The Hudsucker Proxy (1994) by Mark
- To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar (1995) by Chris
- Sugar & Spice (2001) by Spencer
- Marie-Antoinette (2006) by Claudio
- Julie & Julia (2009) by Ginny
- Moonrise Kingdom (2012) by Ginny
Reader Comments (13)
Definitely one of my favorite movies as a kid/teen. Whoopi's comic genius is undeniable here (though I find her even funnier in the 80s "gem" that is Jumpin Jack Flash). And Marc Shaiman's soundtrack production is beyond inspired.
LOVE this film, and The Trouble with Angels as well. It really does show the most wonderful building of close friendships among the women.
Did care for the sequel at all.
joel6 - The Trouble with Angels is one of my FAVORITE childhood movies - I always try and catch it on tv during the Holidays. "I've got the most scathingly brilliant idea!"
Is the sequel more beloved than the original? I always thought that the sequel wasn't received all that well, which is why the series ended at two.
Fun fact: Sister Act was intended as a star vehicle for Bette Midler, interesting because not only is Whoopi such a perfect fit for the material, but also Kathy Najimy (clearly the film's breakout star) would go on to co-star with Midler in the now-iconic Hocus Pocus the very next year.
One thing is for sure: Paul Rudnick is a genius. Addams Family Values is a much worthier follow-up, and the fact that Jeffrey and In & Out followed suit is an amazing winning streak. (Bless him for gifting us with two of Joan Cusack's best and brightest roles.)
Never tire of this film. Love.
The sequel has become somewhat of a cult classic over the years. It had a fair few bug stars before they made it big (Hello Lauryn Hill!) plus the soundtrack is amazing. Oh Happy Day .... chills! Joyful Joyful, His Rye is on the Sparrow, If you wanna be somebody. Lots of nostalgia!
I worship this film.
This is undoubtedly the "better" film, yet I've rewatched the sequel more often so that's my favourite.
Whoopi gives 100% star power, while Maggie is so good that you forget she's even acting... combined with Kathy and Harvey (who gave the male performance of the year in Bad Lieutenant) it's a treat.
More beloved sequel? In what world?
The first "Hail Holy Queen" is GENIUS. I'm laughing to out loud to myself now just thinking about it. The one nun that's a measure too early. The way Kathy Najimy is way too loud AND realizes it when they get to the bridge. The atonal mess that is the final sung note, and finally, Alma. Maggie Smith's resigned smile is just too perfect. Both are lovely movies, with some big laughs, and truly great music. One couldn't ask for more.
Just reading your review made me laugh. I love the combination of Whoopi and Maggie Smith, that pairing sets the tone for all the fun that follows. Great sense of timing, and just the right amount of music. (You are right on point when it comes to the use of music).
Easily a favourite that qualifies as an "over and over".
To echo a sentiment: More beloved sequel? In what world?
This movie is perfect with one of the best soundtracks in history.
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