Word: conventionality
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...general public is given a long (149-minute) look into the never-never land behind convent walls in the film version of Kathryn Hulme's best seller, The Nun's Story, now showing at the Metropolitan. To this reviewer the film appears as the most reverent and sensitive interpretation of Roman Catholic convent life yet given movie-goers. It towers above those stereotyped Roman Catholic nuns and priests perpetuated in Going My Way and Come to the Stable. It would be no surprise if Audrey Hepburn, who plays Sister Luke, and director Fred Zinnemann were given Academy Awards for their...
...movie is bound to evoke interest and curiosity. The public will ever have a curiosity as to what goes on behind convent walls. The life of a nun will forever be a mystery to most; and this film gives a sensitive and dignified interpretation. For those unfamiliar with Roman Catholic ritual, many of the ceremonies will appear impressive. To those unfamiliar with religious life, much of the metamorphosis from girl of the world to cloistered nun will appear distasteful. Perhaps there is negative emphasis here. Convent life appears as a series of "cannots" and a continual warfare against human nature...
There is little joy in the film because there is little joy in the book. Sister Luke rarely smiles. Where is the laughter of convent gardens, which has been called "the purest in the world"? After many years in which Sister Luke makes a grim effort to be a perfect nun and instead becomes a perfect nurse, she leaves her convent. The conflict as to "why" is not stressed so strongly in the film as in the book; the audience is left to ponder the "why." Her confessor in a darkened confessional scene tells Sister Luke that...
...cool; and so is the picture. She has the presence of the sprite, not the presence of the spirit. Calm and exquisite in her habit, she looks most of the time like nothing more troubled or troubling than (if such a thing were possible) a recruiting poster for a convent...
...famed Sotheby's (pronounced Sutherbees) auction house. Prize catch of the lot was clearly Peter Paul Rubens' Adoration of the Magi. A 10 ft. 9¼ in. by 8 ft. panel painted by Rubens at the peak of his powers in 1634 for Louvain's Convent of the Dames Blanches, it is considered by dealers not only the best Rubens in Britain but the most important old master to be put on the block at Sotheby's in over 30 years...