Novitiate

Novitiate, released in 2017, is a gripping drama that explores the turbulent world of faith, service, and sacrifice through an individual’s life journey and their grappling relationship with religion. Directed by Margaret Betts, this emotionally resonant film features exceptional performances from Melissa Leo, Lisa Stewart, and Alyssa Brindley. It eloquently delves into the extremely dedicated yet complicated lives of nuns in the mid-20th century Catholic Church.

Set in the 1960’s, Novitiate follows the journey of Cathleen, a young woman who seeks refuge and meaning in life through the path of devotion. Raised by a non-religious, single mother in rural Tennessee, she’s inexplicably drawn to the mysteries of faith and religious life when she is introduced to Catholicism. This experience propels her to deviate from the societal norms of her time, rejecting the idea of love, marriage, and children, and pursuing a life devoted to God by choosing to become a nun.

She enters a convent as a postulant, aiming to become a novitiate, fully aware of the rigorous spiritual and physical demands leading to such a pious life. Her commitment leverages her through testing times, arduous tasks, and the strenuous path of sacrifice. The imposing Reverend Mother, portrayed by Melissa Leo in an Academy Award-nominated performance, is her rigid and dominant guide through this journey. Melissa Leo’s portrayal of the Reverend Mother, a dominant figure holding on to traditions while being threatened by radical changes from Vatican II, is profoundly moving.

The film captures the shift impending in the mindset of the Second Vatican Council, or Vatican II, which brought significant reforms to the Catholic Church that were not welcomed by all. The stern environment at the convent, marked by silence, fervent prayer, and sacrifice, meets drastic change proposed by Vatican II, causing tension amidst the sisters and a crisis of faith for the Reverend Mother.

Lisa Stewart and Alyssa Brindley become significant characters, each having entered the convent with their reasons, ambitions, and perspectives. Their performances add considerable depth to explore the concepts of devotion and personal faith. Together with Melissa Leo, they stir a remarkable narrative around human aspirations, faith, and the intricacies of religious life set against the backdrop of a major religious revolution.

Novitiate is a robustly layered story woven around the painfully rigid practices and spiritual austerity of traditional Catholic practices. Through brilliant performances, disciplined direction, and an engaging script, it successfully delves into the personal struggles emerging from the unyielding demand for perfection in the path of divine love and service.

The cinematography of the film stands out as a remarkable feature, effectively exuding the austere nature of convent life and the tumultuous inner journey of its characters. The muted color palette, the intimately framed shots, and the deafening silence capture the melancholic undertone and high emotional stakes. It beautifully reflects the protagonist's journey — one that is internal, personal, and deeply spiritual.

Margaret Betts, taking the reins as writer and director, is commendable for her detailed insight into a world not often explored in film. As a filmmaker, she skillfully depicts the duality of Convent life – the tranquil devotion juxtaposed with harsh austerity, the deep sense of community shadowed by crushing solitude, and the all-encompassing love for God challenged by staggering sacrifice.

In essence, Novitiate paints a nuanced, dramatic, and humanizing portrait of religious life meeting the crossroads of change. It's a film about faith, sacrifice, and ultimately about the complex, often conflicting nature of belief and religious practice. At its core, Novitiate is a story of love in its most testable form; a love undefinable by mundane standards, transcending human comprehension—the love for God in its highest, purest form.