Review of Novitiate (2017) by Matthew D — 09 Aug 2018
A melodramatic, but thoughtful approach to religion.
Margaret Betts directs Novitiate with a swift style and beautiful cinematography. You are engaged by the characters and how they develop real faith more so than focusing on the aspects of nuns. We see young girls question going into the church. I have never seen another movie that actually tries to represent and empathize with nuns. It's fascinating.
Novitiate is certainly held up by its acting. Melissa Leo is monstrous as the Mother Superior. Margaret Qualley is fantastic as the lead nun Sister Cathleen. Julianne Nicholson is hilarious as Cathleen's skeptic mother. Eline Powell stands out as one of the more convincing devout Catholics. In all, Novitiate is wonderfully cast.
Overall, Novitiate takes the time and care to display the life of nuns, while showing how harsh and degrading their order operates. Novitiate is a beautiful film that portrays the emotional strain on young women in the convents.
This review of Novitiate (2017) was written by Matthew D on 09 Aug 2018.
Novitiate has generally received positive reviews.
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