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By
NICK ZEGARAC
Emile Ardolino’s Sister Act
(1992) is a rather haphazard mishmash of plot
devices and clichés from at least a half dozen
other films. Sandwiched somewhere between the ‘pop
musical’ of the late 70s and goofy crime/comedies
of the early 80s, this film stars comedian Whoopi
Goldberg as Deloris Van Cartier, a gaudy lead
singer in a Vegas lounge act. Deloris’ mobster
boyfriend, Vince LaRocca (Harvey Keitel) wants her
dead, particularly after she has witnessed the
murder of one of Vince’s close ‘associates’.
Enter Lt. Eddie Souther (Bill Nunn). He promises
Deloris witness protection. But before that,
Doloris must hide out in the last place Vince
would think to look for her; a Catholic convent.
Oddly enough, after some initial apprehensions and
more than a bit of sparing with Mother Superior
(Maggie Smith), Deloris – rechristened Sister Mary
Clarence - fits in nicely. She starts a daycare
and teaches the choir how to sing gospel with a
boogie-woogie beat. This latter endeavor spikes
enrollment in the dwindling congregation, but more
to the point, it draws undue attention to Deloris.
How long will it be before Vince finds out?
The film tries desperately to sustain its laughs
but more often than not falls rather flat on its
habit with a litany of ill-advised and even less
funny bits of business that are mere distraction
from its’ paper-thin plot. The film moves – at
least enough to keep its audience entertained – in
a musical program that tackles everything from 60s
pop fav’, ‘I Will Follow Him’ to the hymn ‘Hail
Holy Queen’ with equal aplomb and more than a
flash of Vegas showgirl.
Buena Vista’s DVD is disappointing. Not
anamorphic, but widescreen, the image exhibits an
uncharacteristically dated quality with orangey
flesh tones. Colors are rather muted. Contrast
levels are a tad low. Blacks are deep, but whites
are more often a soft light gray. Edge enhancement
distracts. The audio is 5.1 Dolby Digital and
delivers a rather aggressive sonic spread across
all five channels. Extras include two music videos
and a theatrical trailer. |
