Novitiate

2017 • 123 minutes
3.2
26 reviews
86%
Tomatometer
R
Rating
Eligible
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About this movie

Set in the early 1950s through to the mid-60s and during the era of Vatican II, a young woman in training to become a nun struggles with issues of faith, the changing church and sexuality.
Rating
R

Ratings and reviews

3.2
26 reviews
Mark Menegatti ᴏsᴀ
March 20, 2018
I started the film feeling bad for the film-makers, knowing general audiences don't care for religious stories. As it continued, I found abysmal disappointment. Having grown up with amazing, loving Sisters (including my aunt) who found something beautiful to dedicate their lives to, the film was incapable of portraying a genuinely human Sister. The filmmakers were hung up on there being either a life of misery or happiness. Incapable of believing that happiness can coincide w vowed religious, & fulfillment is impossible alongside chastity. The film relies on shallow dichotomies and ignorance of the bigger picture of religious life to get its story through. Having lived happily ten years in vowed religious life as a friar, I am bored with this film. It cannot ask the truly penetrating questions of the contradiction of religious life and the reform of the Council. I wouldn't bother to rate a movie for one star, but story wise I had such a disappointing experience. I knew I would be in store for some real problems when the NOVICES were referred to as NOVITIATES. Aw bless your heart.
9 people found this review helpful
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Madeline Sayers Fiorino
February 15, 2018
My Mother Was a NUN in the 40s & 50s I have a Picture of her in her Habit Haven't seen the Movie Yet I Went to Poor Claire's in JP Mass. in July of 2017 The Sister Remembered My Mom
7 people found this review helpful
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Ellen Beauchamp
March 18, 2018
As a young nun in the Novitiate during those years, the truth of this challenge is poignantly accurate - the transition from mere compliance to the medieval ideas of holiness and sanctity to the questioning of faith and serving and God... compelling and reminiscence is this!!
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