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Sister Act (PG, 1992)

common sense media says

Whoopi's heavenly comedy has a rebellious side.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that while most of this movie takes place in a cloistered Catholic convent, the story begins with a murder committed off-screen by the main character's boyfriend, a stereotypical Italian-American mafia character. When the main character, a lounge singer with a shady past only alluded to, is sent to a convent to hide, she doesn't respect the rules (the movie's tagline: "No booze! No sex! No drugs! No way!"), makes a number of jokey references to what she's forced to live without, and sneaks out to a biker bar. While she rebels against her holy surroundings, she also uses her talents to spiff up the choir and the community.

Positive messages: While you'd expect Whoopi's character to be the one needing to be "saved," she's the one who saves the church and helps the neighborhood by using her talents and bringing out the talents of others.
Violence: Story begins with a real, though not graphic, gangster-style murder.
Sex: Some kissing and mild mentions of sex.
Language: Low-level cursing such as "damn."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some references to alcohol. Whoopi's character, who's reluctantly hiding out in a convent, inspired the movie's tagline: "No booze! No sex! No drugs! No way!"
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More on Sister Act

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about "the mob" and Italian-American stereotypes and why they are so prevalent -- nearly revered -- on TV and in movies. Families can also discuss what it means to rebel and whether there are circumstances in which rebellion is justified. Even if Deloris is victorious in the end, is there a way she could have shown more respect for the convent's rules? What does Deloris, as a streetwise African-American woman, have to offer this troupe of sheltered nuns? What do they have to offer her?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Whoopi Goldberg plays Deloris Van Cartier, a Reno lounge singer and dancer who is forced to leave her racy lifestyle behind when she witnesses her gangster boyfriend (Harvey Keitel) shoot someone. The police hide her away in an inner-city convent where she must reluctantly pretend, with the help of an equally reluctant Mother Superior played by Maggie Smith, to be a nun. Deloris' expertise as a doo-wop Supremes-style performer pays off when she is employed to rescue the severely off-key choir's reputation. Suddenly, the once sleep-inducing choir is as lively as a Broadway show.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The musical numbers really make SISTER ACT, and Goldberg shines as the rebellious "nun" whose iconoclastic attitude affects not just the choir, but everyone in the convent who soon dons new habits -- both good and bad. Deloris' gregarious spirit and instant popularity eventually garner unneeded media attention: the Pope comes to visit, and soon after, TV crews. When this captures the attention of Deloris' ex-boyfriend, who is still trying to find her, the mob-crime focus of the story is back on, bringing PG-style justice to make a happy ending.

Sister Act's success -- due mostly to Goldberg, who was brilliantly cast after Bette Midler abandoned the project -- spawned a 1992 performance by Goldberg and the "nuns" at a Democratic fundraiser for Bill Clinton, and Sister Act: The Musical, a stage adaptation of the film, premiered at the Pasadena playhouse in 2006. A sequel ,Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, followed in 1993.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Buena Vista
Director: Emile Ardolino
Cast: Kathy Najimy, Maggie Smith, Whoopi Goldberg
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release: May 29, 1992
DVD release: November 6, 2001
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: some violence and mild language
This review was written by Colette DeDonato
 
 

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What parents & educators say

10

Most useful reviews by all members

andie1
adult
 
I LOVE THE SISTER ACT MOVIES!!
Directy and indirectly (by their heartfelt behavior)you are reminded of the presence of God with us. These movies lift my soul, I was online to see if there was a 3rd Sister Act I didn't know about, so I could get it. Whoopi is so talented in this, I'm a new ardent fan of her abilities plus watching these movies make me feel closer to God and remind you of the love and care in the world. :-)
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CSM Screen ...
teen, 16 years old
 
Hilarious Riot of Fun for Ages 11 an up!
Sister Act might be one of the funniest movies in the world. And the music is awesome. The story tells the story of casino singer Delores VanCartier (Whoopi), who witnesses her (married) mobster boyfriend, Vince, murder (off-screen) a ganster who supposedly leaked to the plolice. A chase ensues but Delores escapes the lounge and goes to the police, who hide her in a convent until she can witness in Vince's trial. In the convent, she sticks out like a sore thumb among the nuns and the strict Mother Superior (Maggie Smith). Soon she finds a place she loves and she teaches the chior. But when the horrible chior turns into a toe-tapping sensation, Vince learns of Delores's location. Sister Act is appropriate for ages 11 and up. I strongly disagree with CommonSense's rating it 9 and up. The only violence is the off-screen murder, and Vince is shot in the arm by the police. But there is talk of Delores having an affair with Vince and there is language such as a**, d**n, and s**t. So, these things make it inappropriate of ages 11 and up, but those who can watch it will have a whole lot of hilarious fun when they do.
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Tsion
parent of 15 year old
 
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BestPicture1996
teen, 16 years old
13
 
Funny if not predictable movie
Very original in its story, a woman wanted by her ex-boyfriend mobster goes undercover as a nun. It's totally wacky but works with Whoopi Goldberg's talents. Plus the music is great, and the nuns are very comical.
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leftbehindcrazed8
teen, 14 years old
8
 
SHOOTING SCENE!!
I love this movie! My mom and I always watch it together, but not with my 6 year old sister, and here's why: the violence. At the beginning there is a very intense scene where Whoopi Goldberg's character is being hunted down by her ex. Also near the end the bad guy's 2 assistants are pointing their guns at Whoopi, but do not shoot at her. She ends up escaping, with the rescue of her nun friends. After you watch this, you'll learn a great lesson, and all the nuns are positive role models.
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valleyv
kid, 13 years old
9
 
i liked it
in the song whooppi sings at the begining "heat wave" she says " you don't give a s__t. but she says it once and quick so you'll forget about it. awesome movie
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i<3blake211
teen, 15 years old
 
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Bobslob
adult
 
Whoppi makes me laugh!
I can't believe how many great movies are out there without Whoppi in them! She is amazing in this movie about a mafia girlfriend who sees a murder and has to hide from the bad guys in a nunnery. She has to pretend to be a nun and find her way around the other nuns. Nobody knows nuns like I do and these are some funny nuns. Your kids will get a lot out of the family values that Whoppi learns about and you will enjoy the nun music. Good for everyone!
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ladyslayer27
teen, 15 years old
 
nothin you can say can tear me away from my God.....
when i first saw this when i was 9, i was shocked at such a terriffic movie!!!buy the soundtrack!!!
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moviegeek
adult
 
Either you hate it or you love it
My sibling and I watched this movie when we were about 8 years old and we instantly loved it and thought it was the best movie in the whole world. We wanted Whoopi Goldberg to win an Oscar for it. We've seen more movies by this time, but we still think that it is a hilarious and wonderful movie. So funny, it makes me laugh just thinking about it.
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fireball
kid, 12 years old
 
I loved it
I think this movie is a very good movie. It's a little violent at the beginning, but after about seven minutes it gets a lot better. I think if you're into singing or music, you should definitely watch Sister Act. I recommend this movie to everybody who likes singing, music, and can handle a little violence.
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Mia Hartley
parent of 2 year old
10
 
Great entertainment
If you want to be like those stuffy nosed film critics who judge every movie harshly simply to err on the side of caution or to appear "hyper-discerning", then sure you could find fault. But if like most normal people you go to movies to be entertained, then this is a great movie.
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