There were many moments in this movie when I was thinking that the depiction of how passionate a person can be for their faith can be truly moving. These were young girls who want to be Nuns, because they love God that much. However there were also moments when it's shown that the steps of becoming a Nun are incredibly tough; almost too cruel, to the point that I was thinking that this doesn't really help encourage somebody to want to be a nun. Those harsh moments makes it seem like this movie is actually an indictment against the faith after all. "Novitiate" really tows the line by not really picking a side on that argument. Although I would argue that it definitely leans more towards one side.
Fascinating and thought provoking. This is a film that will and should push some people's buttons. It's filled with scenes that should trigger an emotional reaction from movie goers, as well as encourage people to have a conversation about what it is they just saw. Even though this may seem like a straight forward drama, there are enough mature provocative scenes that complicates it from having an easy narrative. Certain people might even call those scenes blasphemous. Either way, Writer-Director Margaret Betts successfully makes this film feel very intimate in observing what the characters do in this story.
This movie has a strong set of female actresses, with Margaret Qualley doing a fine job as our main protagonist that we're suppose to be rooting for here. While Qualley is technically the lead character of this story, it's Melissa Leo's portrayal as the Reverend Mother that steals the movie from everybody. Wow what a commanding performance from Leo. It's true that her role as the super strict Nun in charge, plays on the stereotypical tropes a little too much. She plays that role so well though. When the Reverend Mother is in full rampage mode, I myself felt like I needed to be on my best behavior from sheer fear that she will jump out of the movie screen just to punish me.
Clearly I have some issues with the overall themes of the movie, as well as how certain characters are depicted here. I know a couple of questionable plot turns during the second half of the story made me think that this movie was just going for the easy route and opted for overly familiar plot tropes. Plot tropes that I didn't agree with. Despite all that though, the incredible cast, the compelling story, those tense scenes, made the experience of watching this enjoyably gripping. "Novitiate" is definitely not for everybody, but it sure successfully made me feel and think things; just like I'm sure they intended.
lovedit ENJOYED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible
