This film is close to perfect.
It works on so many levels, has such wonderful assured performances that are in themselves a joy. Witty, brave, coruscating, one of those films that will stay with you for a long long time, and be frequently re-watched.
Since 2014 when it was made the revelations and accusations of abuse, which are at the heart of the film, have plagued the most mature and intricate religion on our planet. Roman Catholicism.
What many people fail to grasp, including most Roman Catholics, is that the men and women - priests and nuns who minister to the faithful, are all very capable and in fact encouraged to decide for themselves what their God finds sinful. The idea is that this basically lines up with RC's teachings. But that 'inner conscious' might override that.
The Visitor in the film makes that point at the beginning. In the story, the accused nun takes her cue from Eve in the allegory of the Garden of Eden to decide that what she was doing was not only okay, but an affirmation, celebration & expansion of her faith and he life, and work... And only her God could judge her..
Since time immemorial, secular authorities have placed a lot of stock on the teachings of various religions to keep people in line over matters of sexuality, behaviour, morality even diet, and other areas of life that they would rather not legislate over... Without fully understanding the loopholes that mature religions like RC have introduced!!
Among many other elements of human sexuality, consent, and the ecclesiastical process for investigation that this magnificent film highlights; that aspect is the most through provoking.