User Reviews

Re-Edit 10/11/2021 Sister Act is a 1992 comedy musical starring Whoppi Goldberg,Maggie Smith,Kathy Najimy and Harvey Kietel.

Whoppi Goldberg plays Dolores a nightclub singer who witnesses a murder thanks to her mob boyfriend (played by Harvey Kietel)causing her to go into the witness protection programme. From there she goes undercover as a nun and hides out in a convent, under the guise of St Mary Clarence and the convent is ran by Maggie Smith(Downton Abbey,Harry Potter franchise). At first Smith doesn't take a shine to Goldberg but since the choir isn't doing that great, Goldberg decides to take matters into her own hands and decides to make the choir sing better by being their conductor. Will the choir improve with their singing? And will Dolores ex boyfriend track her down.

Bottom line this was a great film. I watched it so many times as a kid and it was funny. I always liked Whoppi Goldberg as she is a very funny actress.

Also starring in this movie is Kathy Najmmi from Hocus Pocas and that hilarious flick Rat Race.

Check it out and see what you think of it.

"Sister Act" finds Whoopi Goldberg taking refuge in a convent as a nun! This role was originally outlined for the divine Miss M (Bette Midler), who evidently was uninterested, or unavailable.

This is basically a one-gag, fish-out-of-water movie from director Emile Ardolino that is remarkably well brought off by some good supporting performances. While Whoopi Goldberg is a lot of fun (as 'Delores'), talented English thespian Maggie Smith, as the 'Mother Superior', and Kathy Najimy, as 'Sister Mary Patrick', are both wonderful. Far from hilarious, but enjoyable, and enough Whoopi to keep her fans entertained.

Wednesday, December 2, 1992 - Balwyn Cinema

While the idea of an obviously Jewish nun was very funny in the initial plans for Bette Midler to star in this smash hit Touchstone comedy, the ultimate re-casting with Whoopie Goldberg probably did this more good in the long run. The story wasn't anything new, but the execution was so wonderful that it became one of the runaway comedy hits of the summer of 1993 and inspired both a sequel and a hit Broadway musical ultimately produced by the Whoop-ster herself. This basically could almost be called a semi-sequel to the 1960's pair of "nun" comedy's, "The Trouble With Angels" and "Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows", as one of those film's nuns (Mary Wickes) is back again in the habit, and in the follow-up film to this ("Sister Act II, Back in the Habit"), she was once again behind the wheel of a bus, delivering funny lines and gently stealing the film from Whoopie and the most memorial mother superior in film history, the wonderful Maggie Smith.

There's no originality in the plot of second string Vegas singer Goldberg hiding out in a convent after seeing her white mobster lover kill a snitch. But what happens in a convent hopefully stays in the convent, that is until Goldberg takes over the ultra flat chorus and turns them into earthly "Supreme" beings. Their singing gets the attention of locales not interested in church, and before you can make a sign of the cross, "his holiness", the pope, is on his way for a visit, and Goldberg's hiding place is about to be revealed. After all, even in a habit, she looks conspicuously out of place, but even with putting the convent in danger and disturbing Mother Maggie's sanctity with a Catholic version of a nightclub show, she changes many lives, especially hers.

It is the music here that thrills, as do many of the wise-cracking comments Goldberg makes. Even the tightly wound Maggie gets in her usual acidic comment when Bishop Joseph Maher reminds her of her duty to those in need and her vow of charity. "I lied", she dryly says. Newcomer Kathy Najimy also gets a few good lines in as a plump cheery nun who has a singing voice that could be used to warn of air raids. "My mother told me I should become either a stewardess or a nun", she cheerily smiles, adding "Coffee?" Newcomer Wendy Makkena is the shy noviate nun who with Goldberg's help proves that she does have a voice. The foursome of Goldberg, Wickes, Najimy and Makkena becomes a lovable clique, while various Broadway veterans surround out the chorus of other nuns as well.

The Broadway musical had a long journey from its initial try-outs in Pasadena and Atlanta to New York, and fortunately, what seemed forced and rushed in the early Pasadena staging (where the Reverand Mother was written much more colder than Smith's and lightened up greatly) came together once it got to Broadway. It was a crowd-pleasing hit for two years, showing that with some divine intervention, this lovable film could put a smile on the face of even the staunchest critics. Even Goldberg as producer got into the mix for a bit when she briefly played Mother Superior in London. Seeing both variations of the stage show gave me the deepest respect for the out-of-town tryout, and loving this film as much as I do, I can appreciate the need to have it on stage even if the film in its own way is pretty much a guaranteed sale. So whether your spirituality is total bible thumping or barely existent or maybe even absent, unless you've been grabbed by evil demons which require an exorcism, you can't help but adore this cheerful look into the world of nuns which make them much more human than their undeserved reputations have allowed them to be.

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.

Whoopi Goldberg is one of my favourite comediennes, and always strikes me as the female equivalent of Eddie Murphy. She can really make a part her own, from a charlatan psychic in Ghost, to her role in Sister Act.

Whoopi plays Delores Van Cartier, a lounge singer from Las Vegas. A very unsuccessful one too, something that she knows all too well. Her Mobster boyfriend Vince LaRocca (Harvey Keitel) kills one of his cronies, and Delores has the bad luck of being a witness. Forced to go on the run, the police put her in the last place Vince would ever think to look for her before she can testify against him. A convent!

Now assuming the identity of a nun (Sister Mary Clarence), the only one who knows Delores' true identity is the Mother Superior (Maggie Smith in a terrific role). Needless to say, they don't hit it off. Delores is miserable, and the Mother Superior considers her brash presence a disruption to the convent.

However, Delores manages to have quite an impact on the rest of the convent, especially the choir. She makes friends with the terminally cheerful Sister Mary Patrick (Kathy Najimy) and the mousy Sister Mary Robert (Wendy Makkena).

Delores manages to turn the choir from a tone deaf group into a bunch of swinging sisters! Opening the doors of the church to the public, the convent becomes a big hit, much to the disapproval of the Mother Superior, who prefers the traditional ways. The new-found popularity of the convent also exposes Delores to Vince, putting her in danger.

At first glance, Sister Act seems a little clichéd. There are a lot of stereotyped characters. Delores as the unconventional newcomer who shakes up the establishment, the Mother Superior who is adverse to change, Sister Mary Robert as the shy nun who finds confidence when she discovers she has a wonderful singing voice and so on.

Because it has a great cast, the film rises above most clichés. Whoopi is great to watch when teaching the nuns to sing My God instead of My Guy. Her verbal sparring with Maggie Smith is good too. Maggie Smith manages to inject a great deal of much needed depth into her thinly written character. Her concerns about the sisters' naiveté in the outside world are not altogether wrong.

Kathy Najimy is wonderfully funny as the nun with a sunny disposition. She gets a lot of memorable lines, especially my personal favourite one:

"I guess I've always been upbeat, optimistic, perky. My mother used to say that girl is pure sunshine. She'll either grow up to be a nun, or a stewardess. Coffee?"

Wendy Makkena is great as Sister Mary Robert. She's actually a surprisingly sexy screen presence. So sweet and innocent, but as her confidence builds an edge creeps into her character and she becomes almost irresistible. Her happiness is very infectious. She makes a good trio with Whoopi and Kathy Najimy, and she's always a joy to watch in the choir. Although it's not her belting out those numbers, I still get a feeling of well-being whenever I watch those scenes.

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. She manages to establish a fine rapport with any of the other characters without robbing them of their screen time. Overall, Sister Act has a fine ensemble cast.

Harvey Keitel is adequate, but his part feels inconsequential when compared to the others. He takes centre stage towards the end, and that damages the finale of the film a little. It becomes more daft towards the climax with the convent scouring Las Vegas for Delores, but fortunately recovers when they give a concert for the Pope.

The best parts of the film are the nun's musical numbers, because it doesn't feel in any way blasphemous. It makes you want to rejoice along with the rest of the choir, and their enthusiasm feels very infectious. Overall, I found Sister Act to be a lot of fun and makes you feel good in the process.

Pity Sister Act 2 didn't make you feel the same way.