Once upon a time, in the tradition of religious irreverence, Robbie Coltrane and Eric Idle disguised themselves and became Nuns on the Run, hiding in the convent from criminals, and Eric Idle trying to teach a lesson on the Trinity with the aid of shamrocks. This 1990s comedy came to mind when watching Holy Days.
But this time in the religious habits are veteran actresses, Judy Davis, Miriam Margolyes, and Jacki Weaver. Always a pleasure to see them on screen – and the added bonus of Jewish Miriam Margolyes, with her characteristic cheeky and sometimes vulgar humour, donning the veil. But, they are not pretend nuns in disguise.
It is New Zealand 1974, and they are the remaining community of a home for unmarried mothers, getting old; Judy Davis the sometimes stern superior, Jacki Weaver is the kindly and caring nun, Miriam Margolyes, the long time gardener, more than a touch of dementia. It is something of a treat to see these actresses don the habit.
But, times are changing, convent buildings showing their age, not so many women coming for care. But the sisters have a wonderful reputation in the community.
Now, the Bishop has been persuaded by developers that the convent and the presbytery must go, be demolished for commercial building. The parish priest, a touch harsh, fond of the bottle and betting on the races, is told to inform the nuns but finds it difficult. What can they do?
A former nun has helped with the deeds of ownership of the convent – so, our trio become nuns on the run, “borrowing” the parish priest’s car, taking to the road in beautiful New Zealand scenery, slowly and awkwardly at first, off to retrieve the documents, definitely getting into the swing of the journey.
The complication is that an engaging local boy, Brian (Elijah Tamati) whose mother has just died is grieving, works with the nuns, and is angry at a prospective new mother, and so goes on the run with the nuns.
Of course there are all kinds of shenanigans, cigarettes, accidents, some moving moments with the little boy and the mystical sense of wanting to see his mother again, the former nun organising the documents – but they are rushed to return to make sure they are back in the convent as residents, and legally not able to be turfed out.
The film was based on a novel by Dame Joy Cowley, amusing in its broad way, not taking the church too seriously (except for the Bishop) and everyone joining in the final celebration, including the parish priest with a change of heart, singing and dancing. (And a reminder that St Teresa of Avila had no time for “sour saints”.)
If this sounds too flippant for religious sensibilities, better to give it a miss.
(And a very quotable line for Miriam Margulies when told she is fat. She says she is not fat, just that people can see her better!)
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