Breaking Habits

Breaking Habits is a fascinating documentary directed by Robert Ryan that graced the big screen in 2018. It's an engaging narrative that borrows a page from the comedy and drama genres presenting an intriguing story with a dash of humor. The film stars the maverick cannabis-cultivating nun, Sister Kate, whose irresistibly audacious spirit graces the pages of a story that is as much about personal revolution and empowerment, as it is about the use of cannabis towards therapeutic ends.

The movie begins with a powerful introduction of the protagonist, Sister Kate, an iconoclastic former corporate executive who made a drastic career transition to become the founder of Sisters of the Valley, a medicinal cannabis operation. Sister Kate, christened as Christine Meeusen, has had a transformative journey from her corporate past to the robes of a weed nun. Meeusen, in her previous life, was trapped in a failing marriage and was a victim of her husband's betrayal who robbed her of her savings. Broken yet resolute to look forward, she reinvented herself as Sister Kate, a non-traditional nun whose devotion shifted towards the cultivation of marijuana and the manufacturing of cannabis-derived products, and thus, began her unexpected journey towards entrepreneurship and advocacy.

Much of the story revolves around the Sisters of the Valley, the organization Sister Kate founded in Merced, California, and its mission. The convent grows cannabis, weeds and all, and harvests its medicinal properties to be used in creating healing balms and tinctures. It’s a decidedly non-traditional operation that’s garnered both legal scrutiny and plenty of online acclamation over the years.

Breaking Habits isn’t only about marijuana; it’s also a story about feminist empowerment and personal resilience. Sister Kate's unyielding determination to run her marijuana farm productively and keep her business model intact despite the looming threat from established interests, including local authorities, conservative groups, and rival cannabis conglomerates, forms the compelling vector of the narrative. The film investigates the multiple transitions the protagonist undergoes — from estranged wife to a green-thumbed nun going rogue for a cause she strongly believes in.

The director skillfully paints the backdrop of the film with nuanced shades of rebellion, wit, humor, and resilience. Interestingly, the film focuses on Sister Kate's strong stance on medicinal marijuana, showcasing the healing effects smoking the herb has had on numerous patients. It efficiently and engagingly documents the increase in popularity and acceptance of cannabis across the United States and the world. The film also explores the potential of cannabis's medicinal properties to impact the corporate structure of the pharmaceutical industry.

Beyond the controversial premise, Breaking Habits deftly deals with the issue of the role of women in society, especially women who are looking for a way to stand up and take charge of their lives. As the film progresses, we bear witness to Sister Kate's unwavering strength and her determination to empower women in her community and beyond.

The film does an excellent job of humanizing Sister Kate and her fellow sisters, portraying them not as fanatics or fringe actors, but a group of dedicated, hard-working individuals contributing to a growing national debate about the potential benefits of cannabis. It stands as a testament to the battles fought by Sister Kate and her confederates against systematic giant factors that are bound by antiquated traditional laws and outmoded attitudes towards marijuana.

In Lesser-captured moments, Sister Kate's wit, defiance, and amusing tales lend a unique charm to Breaking habits, perhaps further enhancing the appeal of this real-life character. As a cannabis-growing nun, she has produced a narrative that seems almost too dramatic and impeccable to fit into the realm of non-fiction.

All in all, Breaking Habits is an entertaining, educative and enlightening film that effectively captures the paradigm shift surrounding medical cannabis through the lens of a driven, passionate force for change like Sister Kate. With its potent mix of humor, pathos, and defiance against establishment norms, Breaking Habits is a cinematic journey that will leave the viewer reflecting on its compelling narrative and unique protagonist. Not an ordinary story of an ordinary nun, indeed, but an extraordinary narration of an extraordinary woman – Sister Kate.