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It’s been said that there are a few topics that should be avoided in casual conversation—topics like money and politics and religion, which just end up pushing buttons and hurting feelings. But Dirty Dancing director Emile Ardolino’s casual 1992 comedy, Sister Act, somehow manages to take on one of those taboo topics with plenty of light-hearted (and inoffensive) laughs.
Whoopi Goldberg stars as Delores Van Cartier, the big-haired lead singer in a Motown cover act in Reno. After her boyfriend/boss, Vince (Harvey Keitel), once again postpones his plan to leave his wife, Delores decides that it’s time to move on. But just as she’s getting ready to leave, she witnesses the brutal murder of Vince’s limo driver.
Terrified and horrified, Delores heads straight for the Reno Police Department. She reports the murder to Lt. Eddie Souther (Bill Nunn), who’s thrilled to have a witness who’s willing to testify against Vince. The problem, however, is that Vince’s witnesses have a tendency to just…disappear. So, to keep Delores safe, Souther places her where no one will ever look for her: in a San Francisco convent.
The convent’s straight-laced Mother Superior (Maggie Smith) isn’t exactly thrilled to have a lounge singer in their midst, but the convent needs the money, so she reluctantly agrees. And it isn’t long before the new Sister starts stirring things up at the convent—and in the neighborhood.
Often, when Hollywood tackles a topic like religion, a whole lot of toes get stepped on along the way. But that’s not really the case with Sister Act. Despite the comedic set-up, Ardolino treats the topic—and the characters—with respect. Here, the only thing that’s black-and-white about the nuns is their wardrobe. Each one has a unique personality. They have hopes and dreams and interests—all of which Sister Mary Clarence helps them chase and embrace in a way that will make audiences laugh without making them cringe.
Really, the only stereotypical nun in the cast is Smith’s Mother Superior, the prim and proper old nun who prefers to do things the old, traditional way. While she disapproves of everything that Delores seems to stand for, though, there’s a perfectly understandable reason for her point of view. She’s not just a mean old lady; she truly cares about the women in the convent, and she’ll do anything to protect them and their way of life.
Goldberg’s Delores, meanwhile, makes a worthy (albeit often over-the-top) opponent for the straight-laced Mother Superior. She brings a different perspective—and a new attitude—to the convent, and she manages to change things for the better with her openness and exuberance. She’s boisterous and a little irreverent—but, as it turns out, that’s just what the nuns needed to shake them up and get them back on track.
The result, meanwhile, isn’t anything particularly outrageous or unsightly. Instead, the film gives religion a surprisingly positive spin, capturing the true spirit of Christianity. Sure, the convent’s choir may end up singing more upbeat songs. They might even dance in the streets from time to time. But, mostly, they end up doing exactly what they should have been doing in the first place: they open their doors and reach out to the community instead of locking themselves away in their cold, quiet cells.
It may not make any profound (or controversial) statements about the taboo topic of religion, but, with its lovable cast of characters and its easy-going sense of humor, Sister Act is a good-natured comedy that makes a good pick for a laid-back Sunday afternoon.
Blu-ray Review:
The 20th Anniversary Blu-ray release of Sister Act includes just two extras: a music video and an entertaining making-of featurette, which discusses everything from the characters to the costumes. As an added bonus, though, it also includes the sequel, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. So, if you’re looking for some light-hearted religious comedy to pass the time on a rainy Sunday afternoon, this Blu-ray release will provide hours of entertainment.
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