Director: Guillaume Nicloux,
Starring: Pauline Etienne, Isabelle Huppert, Louise Bourgoin, Martina Gedeck, Francoise Lebrun, Agathe Bonitzer, Alice de Lencquesaing, Marc Barbe,
Running Time: 105 Minutes
Certificate: 12
Another apt title for THE NUN would have been ’12 Years A Nun’ as this and the Steve McQueen Oscar favourite certainly share a lot in common. It deals with the hardships and cruelty subjected upon somebody kept against their will, but whereas 12 YEARS A SLAVE felt as though it put its focus in all the right places, THE NUN has trouble exploring its themes and supporting cast.
Set in the 1700s, Suzanne Simonin (Etienne) is a 16 year old girl who wishs to dedicate her life to God. She ignores warnings from her priest that 16 year olds don’t truly know what love is and soon she’s on her way to becoming a nun. The priest’s words soon ring true as Suzanne discovers that it’s a lot harder giving up the nun life than it is starting down such a path. After quitting she finds out that she is an illegitimate child and is soon pressured into returning to pay for her mother’s sins. Although she has a supporting head sister at first, she is soon replaced by the cruel and malicious Christine (Bourgoin) before being transferred to a convent lead by the sexually aggressive Saint-Eutrope (Huppert).
The film is beautiful in its recreation of the period. The costumes and locations are in keeping with the tone as well as creating a very realistic approach. The performers are also presented very naturalistically, with a seemingly restrained use of make-up. This all adds to the horror of Suzanne’s life, and Etienne does a perfect job of capturing this tragic heroine, but always keeping her strong. She may break down at points, but it’s perfectly understandable when she’s been forced to walk on glass and lie face down over concrete steps as her fellow sisters walk on her. It’s a harrowing tale that keeps within its 12 certificate, but still manages to shock and appal.
Although all the performances are perfect, two of the most important characters have very little to do, and become absurd one-note portrayals. This is a sin because they could have been very fascinating characters. The stunningly beautiful and cold Christine is never explored as to where we understand her horrifying punishments, and Saint-Eutrope’s uncontrollable sexual desires towards Suzanne are just as mind-boggling. Told almost entirely from Suzanne’s point of view, it very well may be that she never understands why these things happen to her, but in a narrative such as this it would have been nice to have more than good nun, bad nun, weird nun.
Thankfully the film, despite a leisurely pace, is always engaging to the point where I found myself completely entranced. It’s also a rather splendid examination of the difference between faith and religion, as Suzanne never falters in her love for God, but sees the evils that can be done in his name. THE NUN is a good film, but it leaves you wanting more. It’s lack of complexity in developing the major conflicts Suzanne faces, makes her struggle less powerful, but with performances this good it’s a sin I’m willing to forgive.
[usr=3]THE NUN is released on DVD on 10th February.
