Nasty Habits (1977)

Director:

Michael Lindsay-Hogg

Writers:

Robert Enders (screenplay)
Muriel Spark (novel)

Release Date:

10 October 1977 (Sweden)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

In a Philadelphia convent, two nuns battle it out to be elected to the position of head abbess, and neither is about to let anything stand in the way of getting what she wants. |

Plot Keywords:

Convent | Nun | Abbess | Catholic Priest | Priest

Cast

Glenda Jackson	...	Sister Alexandra
Melina Mercouri	...	Sister Gertrude
Geraldine Page	...	Sister Walburga
Sandy Dennis	...	Sister Winifred
Anne Jackson	...	Sister Mildred
Anne Meara	...	Sister Geraldine
Susan Penhaligon	...	Sister Felicity
Edith Evans	...	Sister Hildegard
Jerry Stiller	...	P.R. Priest
Rip Torn	...	Father Maximilian
Eli Wallach	...	Monsignor
Suzanne Stone	...	Bathildis
Peter Bromilow	...	Baudouin
Shane Rimmer	...	Officer
Harry Ditson	...	Ambrose

Also Known As:

The Abbess

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) | France:U | Sweden:Btl | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

EMI Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Bowden Productions Limited

A Hail Mary Couldn't Save This One.

It's the watergate scenario all over again only this time it's with nuns. A unique idea for sure that unfortunately just doesn't work. Namely it's because the writers seem to only key in on one angle and then just play it out until it's boring. A one joke with no other facet to it. There isn't even one scene that stands out as funny. There is absolutely no action to speak of and the dialogue is just to dry to elicit even a chuckle.

The once in a lifetime cast is also wasted. Dame Edith Evans, in her last film appearance, really gets it bad. She is given the typical old lady treatment. Shown for only a few minutes looking feeble and then promptly dying. Stiller, Meara, Torn, and Wallach are almost non existent.

Only Glenda Jackson comes off well. She actually manages to give her character and added dimension. The forcefulness of her personality really comes through on the screen. However her adversary, which is played by Sue Penhaligon, doesn't have that same type of strong presence. Therefore there is no real battle or confrontation.

Even the always reliable Sandy Dennis becomes a problem. They have her playing a sort of extended version of her drunk scene in WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF. However the off key voice and tipsy behavior become too much. It ends up being really annoying.

The electronic music score is obtrusive. The pacing is terrible. The lack of momentum will have people turning this off long before it is over. This is good since the climax is really flat.

There are a few surprise cameos. One is by the late newscaster Jessica Savitch. Another by former talk show host Mike Douglas.