The amusing thing about Audrey Hepburn is she's usually viewed as an image of glamour. Not many people acknowledge that she was a fine actress. Her skill as an actress is as natural as her eternal beauty.
As Sister Luke in Fred Zinnemann's The Nun's Story, Hepburn gives perhaps the greatest performance of her career. Through her years in the church, she becomes worn out by the rules and restrictions. She tries to keep others happy with her behavior, but she herself isn't happy.
With a running time of over two and a half hours, it could have fallen apart early on. But Zinnemann makes sure such a thing doesn't happen. The film practically glides with every passing minute rather than get stuck every ten minutes. Again, not many films can make that work.
In toll, The Nun's Story is an excellent film. Hepburn is luminous in her role, a type that comes around every now and again. Conflict in the church is almost a cliche by today's standards, but Zinnemann's film shows the depths that so many fail to achieve.\
My Rating: *****
You said it. Though I believe Breakfast at Tiffany's was her role of the Career, Hepburn's acting prowess is at full display here. It is roles like this that prove that she is not just a pretty face, she is a fine actress too.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a powerful film and probably her best role ever. Although indeed they focused on just one character, the film was gripping to watch. I utterly love it.
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