I was somewhat disappointed in this film.
We're given lots of interesting glimpses into the details of the life of a nun, but we're almost totally shut out of the inner turmoil of this particular nun. We don't really seen any evolution of her character one way or another, so it's completely unclear at the end why she makes the choice she does.
That is, a reason is given, but I simply don't buy it.
The last 30 minutes of this film are incredibly rushed.
shareI am a nun and I saw this movie on the big screen when I was 12 in the 60s. It had a big impact on me and I wanted to be a nun too. This is the kind of emotional response that doesn't last long, and a few months later I was cured of it. As a teenager I never thought that I would fit in a religious community. I am fiercely independent. In my 20s though, I did enter a community.
A few years ago, I was given the movie on tape. I never watched it until tonight. So here are my reactions to it, 40 years later.
First thing, I remembered the film as a black and white. Second thing, I am from Belgium too, and didn't remember the beauty of the streets in Bruges. OK, now this story (I was told it was a true story) happened before the changes in the Church with Vatican II. The atmosphere was typical pre-Vatican: very restrained, you can't talk about your past, the whole non-sense of being told to deliberately fail an exam, which for me is a lie. Humility is truth. Religious life is very different today.
The answer to Sr Luke's problem is given in the movie, by Dr Fortunati. He said: "You don't fit the mold." You can see how tense she is, the whole time. I know that the book places the emphasis on her difficulty with obedience. It is true, but the problem with obedience was just a reflection of another struggle, that to live a life that is not meant for you.
As a youngster, I was sad that she left. Today I am glad she did. She would probably have become quite neurotic if she hadn't.
Thank you, Sister, for your perspective. I think that your observations hold true, even beyond the Church. To many of us, outside of the Roman Catholic hierarchy, it does seem that there has been much relaxation of rules and strict expectations, over the last decades. But, much else has eased, as well.
This is one of my favorite films. I've seen it many times, although it's been a few months ago that I last watched it. From memory, I can think of a few scenes/lines that suggest Sister Luke's longevity in the order will end voluntarily:
-Her father tells her, on the day that she reports to the Convent, that he can see her chaste and poor, but that he cannot see her obedient to the dictate of bells.
-Her father tells one of the nuns that her family calls her "headstrong," adding: "You may, too, after a while."
-In a moment of recollection, she talks of having had a "rule" of her own, before life in the Convent ... "all or nothing." (possibly not an entirely accurate quote, but close.)
-One of the Mothers Superior tells her that there "is no resting place," when it comes to alleviating all struggles and doubts.
-Dr. Fortunati's several observations about her "not (being) in the mold."
So, it always seemed to me that she was predisposed to doubt about the commitment to the religious life, or thought that she could will herself to overcome it. It occurs to me that her passion for medicine (particularly tropical medicine), and her desire to serve in Africa, left this pre-WWII woman with only one option for hope that she might recognize her dream ... a nursing convent.
She certainly succeeds on the medical front, to wide admiration. Dr. Fortunati tells her that he can cure her tuberculosis, but refers to her emotional struggles as "the by product."
Yes, those scenes clearly establish her character at the outset.
I disagree with the OP; I think we see LOTS of inner turmoil.
True, it's a mystery that she enters the convent to begin with, but such mysteries are everywhere in life. How often do we ask: Why did she marry that creep? Why didn't he pursue a career in art? Why did she stay in her lousy hometown? Why did they sell the house? Why didn't he protect the kids from that nut-job mother? On and on.
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Please put some dashes above your sig line so I won't think it's part of your dumb post.
Thank you, Sister. After reading the book and seeing the film, I wholeheartedly agree that Sister Luke had to leave. I could see that even at the age of twelve. And yes, this was based on a true story.
shareYou didn't see why she left the order? You felt shut out of her inner turmoil? And you didn't see any evolution of her character, either? Completely unclear why she left the order? I hope you will excuse the expression, but Holy Cow. To me, her evolution was crystal clear from beginning to end.To me, the screenplay was expository writing at its best. This is more than a case of different strokes. I'm glad I don't know you; I wouldn't have a thing to say to you other than good morning.
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