Sister Act (1992)

About Sister Act

Sister Act is a comedy-drama film released in 1992. It is about a lounge singer named Deloris Van Cartier (played by Whoopi Goldberg) who is forced to enter a convent after being placed in the Witness Protection Program to ensure her safety from her mafia boyfriend Vince LaRocca (portrayed by Harvey Keitel) whom she witnesses commit a murder. Within the convent, Deloris brings her unique spark and an unconventional attitude but also revitalizes the choir, and brings joy into the community, thus attracting much attention. This, however, threatens to blow her cover.

Making / Production

"Sister Act" was directed by Emile Ardolino and written by Joseph Howard. It was produced by Scott Rudin and distributed by Buena Vista Pictures. It had a successful release in the theaters, and two sequels followed the initial film.

Actors

• Whoopi Goldberg as Deloris Van Cartier / Sister Mary Clarence: Whoopi delivered a comedy masterclass with her performance as a faux nun hiding from the mafia.
• Maggie Smith as Reverend Mother: Smith perfectly embodied the stern and traditional Reverend Mother, providing an excellent foil to Goldberg's Sister Mary Clarence.
• Harvey Keitel as Vince LaRocca: Keitel convincingly portrayed the Mafia boss, balancing menace and charm in his performance.
• Kathy Najimy as Mary Patrick: Najimy brought notes of warmth and humor to the role of Mary Patrick, a perpetually cheerful nun.
• Wendy Makkena as Mary Robert: Makkena portrayed the shy but talented singer, Mary Robert, with great subtlety and nuance.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Sister Act spent two weeks at #2 in the box office before reaching #1 in the third week of its release.
• Bette Midler was originally offered the role of Deloris Van Cartier but turned it down.
• The film inspired a musical stage adaptation, "Sister Act: The Musical," which premiered in 2006.

Awards

Whoopi Goldberg was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her performance in Sister Act. The film itself won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture.

Quotes

• "I guarantee you she is no broad! She is Sister Mary Clarence of St. Katherine's Convent. She's a model of generosity, virtue, and love! You have my word for it, gentlemen, she is a nun!" - Monsignor O'Hara.
• "If this turns into a nun bar, I'm outta here!" - Deloris
• "You know, you could lighten up a little. It's not like we're in a cloister or something." - Sister Mary Patrick

Music, Soundtrack

• "The Lounge Medley" – (Whoopi Goldberg and the Ronelles)
• "The Murder" – (Marc Shaiman)
• "Getting Into the Habit" – (Marc Shaiman)
• "Rescue Me" – (Fontella Bass)