The Very Private Work of Sister K (2016) Reviews

• Another brilliant court drama!

  peiyigod2017-02-10

  If 12 Angry Men, Eyes Wide Shut, are your type of movie, then you must watch this one. Rated No.7 as 2016 must watch. No matter where we are in existence sex remains as a hot topic issue. "The Very Private Work of Sister K" is an amazingly well balanced movie that uses a courtroom-drama structure to set the course for a debate about sex. Between those who believe in its beauty and those who deem themselves the keepers of its morality. While it would be easy to see this movie taking on the stance from a woman's perspective, Johan approaches the concept of sex more from a spirituality sense where a person of any gender or of any sexuality can relate to. The effectiveness of the film is impart due to the performance of Liza Curtiss who plays Sister K — a character who saw the power and value of sex and the unity in two people when they become joined together in passion. More importantly, the strength of her character shines as she continues to hold strong in her convictions when those who believe they hold the power to declare what is right and wrong try to tear her down. Her ability to deflect their attacks with wit and understanding of something they fear makes her performance, her character, and the movie, something that needs to be seen.

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• Staid religious dogma

  oldvicar2018-01-28

  It is difficult to articulate the inaccuracy of the 'Storyline' (or the one posted review at the time of writing) without spelling out too much of the plot or otherwise spoiling the experience of watching this for those who may not appreciate specifics. The exisiting reviewer who I assume has an interest in this piece draws parallels with 12 Angry Men (in their dreams) and generally gives the impression of a worthwhile dialogue about the nature of lust and morality. It is nothing of the kind, merely a convening of some ecclesiastic court or other that predermines how it is to hush up the case of a nun who abuses her position as carer. Most of the dialogue relates either to the perverseness of the religious authorities in protecting their own inetersts or a rather narrow and tetchy exchange between the nun (who, clearly having no respect for her vocation, has committed abuse) and one of the members of the gathering. If you do sit through this then consider the nun's performance and ask yourself how in any way that women could have been in that institution and held those views. Her dialogue and certainly the way it was acted gave no credibility to anything other than an actress in a costume. The dialogue is not illuminating, it is as narrow as anything could be expected that involves religiosity and I regret sitting through it in the hope it would improve or deliver something of meaning. The acting was that of a one act stage play in a small theatre but despite the content was well produced which is worth a few stars. But the script was thin, thin and unimpressive.

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• A plot behind a plot

  hof-42018-09-30

  On the surface, a straightforward courtroom drama: a nun is requested to clarify her unorthodox take on caregiving and the role of sex in religion in front of an informal jury of three priests, who seem to be primarily intent on preventing the information from leaving the room and on solving (or covering up) the problem discreetly within the Church. There are four additional characters: a head nun, a secretary, a doctor and a visitor, the latter perhaps a lay brother in a religious order. The hearing becomes increasingly strange, but by mid-film one begins to glimpse the real plot. Clues: The nun's arrogance and utter absence of doubts or second thoughts. The nun's increasingly literary speech, which doesn't agree with her level of education. The nun's knowledge of facts (e. g. the doctor's sexuality) which she has no reason to be aware of. The nun's arguments, which follow a seemingly logical path but end up denying all the attributes of God that the Catholic Church postulates. At the end, of all characters, only the visitor has a clear view of the nun's intentions. I found this movie fascinating; it takes some thinking to decipher what we see on screen. Direction, production values and acting are all first rate. Highly recommended.

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