Sister Act

May. 28,1992      PG
Rating:
6.5
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Trailer Synopsis Cast

A Reno singer witnesses a mob murder and the cops stash her in a nunnery to protect her from the mob's hitmen. The mother superior does not trust her, and takes steps to limit her influence on the other nuns. Eventually the singer rescues the failing choir and begins helping with community projects, which gets her an interview on TV—and identification by the mob.

Whoopi Goldberg as  Deloris Van Cartier/Sister Mary Clarence
Maggie Smith as  Mother Superior
Kathy Najimy as  Sister Mary Patrick
Wendy Makkena as  Sister Mary Robert
Mary Wickes as  Sister Mary Lazarus
Harvey Keitel as  Vince LaRocca
Bill Nunn as  Lt. Eddie Souther
Robert Miranda as  Joey
Richard Portnow as  Willy
Ellen Albertini Dow as  Choir Nun

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Reviews

SnoReptilePlenty
1992/05/28

Memorable, crazy movie

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ReaderKenka
1992/05/29

Let's be realistic.

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Bea Swanson
1992/05/30

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

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Geraldine
1992/05/31

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

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Eric Stevenson
1992/06/01

Whoopi Goldberg seems like one of the nicest actresses out there. I realize that, looking back, she really did make a lot of bad movie decisions. It's hard to forgive someone for being in "An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn!". I admit that this wasn't really that funny, but it's still an enjoyable movie. This is one of those movies I remember seeing back when they rented out movies in stores. The basic plot is that Whoopi disguises herself a nun as part of the Witness Protection Program after seeing his boyfriend kill someone.Nowadays, we have so many awful religious movies. I guess this one wasn't that much about faith. It was more about learning to fit in and making new friends. It helps that the music is really good. Everyone truly looks like they're having a good time with this movie. At 100 minutes, it seems like it's just the perfect length too. I wish she'd star in more movies. ***

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Wisty
1992/06/02

Deloris is a singer and becomes a witness of a mob crime suddenly. To shelter her, police sends her to a nunnery as a sister.This film is comedy and music. I like music part of this film. For the first time I watched this film, it was in the music class, I didn't remember that because I may not like this. However, I like this film now because its music. Deloris starts coach the choir in the nunnery but the choir was terrible. Gradually they become better and their singing is very nice. I like the songs and I often sing them alone.Also casting is very nice. Whoopie Goldberg is wonderful actor and her voice is also nice. She plays sister Mary Clarence perfectly and fascinatingly. And other sisters are nice too. My favorite sister is sister Mary Robert because she is very cute and Wendy Makkenna plays very nice.

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Predrag
1992/06/03

This movie is full of laughs, has an entertaining story, action and plenty of good music. You don't have to be a fan of these kind of films to love this movie. Most movies I'm into are horror films but I love Sister Act so that shows how good this movie is if it can win me over like that. Brilliant music, very fine acting and a delight to watch. This is one of the best family comedies I have seen and is a good example of how good and magical films are in the 90's. The cast is brilliant; the hilarious Kathy Najimy stars as the bouncy, always-cheerful Sister Mary Patrick; Wendy Makkena as the awfully shy Sister Mary Robert; Mary Wickes as the spunky, wise-cracking Sister Mary Lazarus, and of course, the legendary Maggie Smith as the ever-stern, yet caring, Reverend Mother. And these aren't the only colorful characters; every nun has their own special personality. As for the plot, in my opinion it's very original and interesting. I have to admit it did slow down a couple of times, but for the most part it was convincing and, to me, very well-written.Overall, this movie is one the entire family can enjoy and watch over and over again. And when it comes to the bare necessities of a picture, there's "nun too many" or "nun too few" here! Overall rating: 8 out of 10.

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ironhorse_iv
1992/06/04

This movie is highly underrated! It's a sin that a lot of people haven't heard of it. It should be appreciated, more! This divine comedy was really funny and very uplifting. Directed by Emile Ardolino, Sister Act tells the story of a Reno lounge singer, Delores Wilson AKA Delores Van Cartier (Whoopi Goldberg) who has been put under protective custody in a San Francisco church convent, due to being a witness to a murder, committed by mobster/ex-boyfriend, Vince LaRocca (Harvey Keitel). While, in hiding, living under the name, "Sister Mary Clarence". She has a hard time, fitting in, with the strict rule set of the Church. It wasn't until, she was force to help the struggling church choir to make some needed improvements that she sees the errors of her sinful ways; while also showing the church, that a little fun and freedom, isn't so bad. Without spoiling the movie, too movie, I have to say, the movie features some really good musical arrangements by song writer, Marc Shaiman. I like how, he was able to change old church hymns and classic R&B hits, into something new, by mixing them. A normal rendition like 'My Guy' by Mary Wells, transform into a cool faux-gospel number, when the movie substitutes "My Guy" with "My God". Another great example is making the boring, Salve Regina gospel into a rock & roll-infused version of the song. It was perfect and so hip. My favorite song has to be 'I will follow him', the Little Peggy March cover. It really match, with the tone of the film, so well. This movie showed that worship can honestly, be awesome! All churches should do this. My only complaint is that the movie church choir didn't sing enough songs- it takes 30 minutes into the film, until Dolores finally get to teach the church choir, and a few minutes, more, until they start to sing. That sub-plot is the bread and butter, for this movie and seeing it, lag, behind, is a bit disappointing. I really didn't like the pacing for this film. The movie should had focus on the singing, a lot, more. I also hate misused of certain Mo-Town hits. Songs like "(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave" are introduce in the beginning in the film like the other songs, but this is the only classic R&B song that doesn't get the gospel treatment, later on. So it makes me, wonder, why the song was even there in the first place. I have a feeling, that the song did have a church choir version, but it was delete from the film. Another thing, I really didn't like, is the Animal House style, end credits. The movie's end credit kinda ruin the film's message. It shows that Delores didn't change much. As much as the ending, hurts the writing. I'm surprise, how well-done the script was. As production commenced, the script was rewritten by a half dozen screenwriters, including famous names, like Carrie Fisher, Robert Harling, and others, helping the product. Some people believe it was written, too well. Most of these critics claim that most of the story was stolen from books such as "The Harlem Street Nun," an autobiography and 'A Nun in the Closet'. Despite that, I love the fish out of water conflict between old school traditional ways being challenge by new school approach. I love the clever funny jokes like the Blue Brothers cameo. None of the jokes, seem too blasphemous or offensive to the faithful. For the most part, it makes you want to rejoice along with the rest of the choir, and their enthusiasm feels very infectious. It's a lot of fun and makes you feel good in the process. I got the habit of laughing. However, the whole nun to rescue, third act was a bit over the top. I will have nun of that. When the script was brought up to Disney, they wanted actress Bette Midler for the main role. However, Midler turned down the role, fearing that her fans would not want to see her play a nun. While, I agree that real life singer and comedian, Bette Midler would make a great Delores. I have to say, the film's replacement, Whoopi Goldberg wasn't that bad. It's arguably Whoopi Goldberg's best role ever, besides 1990's Ghost. Still, there were some jarring issues about her performance. I really couldn't buy into her being a beautiful lounge singer. While, she did indeed could sing in real life. She doesn't have the musical presence that Midler has. The movie doesn't really showcase, Goldberg's singing ability that well. The whole music sequence, she did in the beginning, was kinda rushed, and felt more, like a comedy act, than a music act. Her verbal sparring with Mother Superior (Maggie Smith) was her strong suit. I love the exchange, between them. Remind me, so much of 1940 film "Brother Orchid". Maggie Smith manages to inject a great deal of much needed depth into her thinly written character. The other characters in the film, are somewhat one-dimensional stereotypes, but they work. I love the joy that Kathy Najimy's is able to bring as the perpetually optimistic Sister Mary Patrick. She just shines with her sunny disposition. Wendy Makkena as the shy Mary Roberts who finds her voice is amazing to watch as well. She is so cute. Mary Wickes also puts in a good appearance as the stern Sister Mary Lazarus. She gets a lot of great one liners, and her timing is spot on. Even the villains weren't that bad. Harvey Keitel is passable, but his part feels inconsequential when compared to the others. Overall: While, the movie is a bit predictable, and often full of musical clichés. It does have some charm. Bless you movie. Bless you. The film was followed by a 1993 sequel, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. Check it out, as well, if you want to.

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