Novitiate (2017)

Novitiate: Directed by Maggie Betts. With Melissa Leo, Lisa Stewart, Alyssa Brindley, Chelsea Lopez. Set in the early 1960s and during the era of Vatican II, a young woman in training to become a nun struggles with issues of faith, the changing church and sexuality.

“Although similar in tone to Audrey Hepburnu0026#39;s u0026#39;The Nunu0026#39;s Storyu0026#39;, this film is nowhere as good as that. Sure, there are many good things too in the film. The acting, direction u0026amp; cinematography are all first rate. The movie however, drags a bit after half time.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis is the story of a young girl raised by a non-religious divorced mother. In the absence of any male or female role model, she finds it hard to find peace and love. At her catholic school, she learns that Godu0026#39;s love is unconditional u0026amp; therefore, she decides that she wants to be the Bride of Christ. At the Convent, she faces a lot of challenges, personal as well as spiritual.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe story takes place around 1964, which was when Vatican II reforms were brought about. The movie very successfully highlights how the nuns were never involved in any of the decision making process and how their standing in the church was suddenly reduced due to the reforms. Thus, a lot of nuns felt dejected, abandoned by their God and faced spiritual crises. So great was their despair that many of them even left their vocation. To me, this aspect of the film was quite interesting and informative.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eA great debut by the director, Maggie Betts!”