Director: Nat Boltt
Writer: Nat Boltt
Stars: Judy Davis, Jacki Weaver, Miriam Margolyes
Synopsis: A lost boy in search of heaven, three odd nuns on a mission, a car powered by God (and stolen money). This is a road trip like no other. A comedic near-tragedy that just keeps going South.
The road trip comedy is a staple of the genre because the road itself has so many potential problems. Gas, food, and lodging of course, but what happens when another driver wants to block you from passing, a herd of animals cross the road, or a bodily need forces you onto the shoulder. Anything can happen on the road and anyone can be on it for any reason. For the nuns and their young companion in Holy Days, that reason is to save their home.
It’s a bit ironic that our heroes are Catholic nuns and our villains… are the Catholic Church. It’s not something you often think about, but the Catholic Church is in some ways a capitalist endeavor. They have a bottom line to maintain and when one of their outposts is not producing like it should, talks begin to figure out what to do with it. So, what happens to the “employees?” Well, they are forced to move on. They’re transferred to another outpost or tucked away until nature takes its course. It’s strange to see those that want to remain in the employ of the man, sticking it to the man. It makes for joyous comedy, though.
Holy Days isn’t breaking new comedy ground with its premise, but it does a great job of feeling fresh in humor and perspective. The nuns of the film aren’t the kind of strict disciplinarians or moralists that often populate films like this. They understand, adhere to, and have faith in the tenets of their religion, but they also understand humanity. When Brian Collins (Elijah Tamati) comes around to do chores in penance for a transgression, he is treated to a task that needs doing, but it’s done with a lesson in fun as well. These are nuns that see their service to the community not as an obligation to proselytize, but to be an open arm and a caring heart. It’s a wonderful change of pace not to have a stick in the mud nun, but ones who know and cherish the people in their community.
It’s the actors who really sell this, though. Judy Davis plays Sister Agnes with grit and determination. Though, she also captures the undercurrent of immense doubt Sister Agnes carries with her, not about her faith, but in her own abilities as the person to see this mission through. Jacki Weaver plays Sister Mary Claire with the kindness and caring of a woman who saw too much, too young. She has her moments of great levity, but the complex feelings are beautifully woven in. Miriam Margolyes as Sister Luke is the comedy’s comic relief as Sister Luke is obviously in and out of lucidity. Yet, Margolyes finds strength, sadness, and joy in a person who doesn’t always know what’s going on, but knows who she loves and that they need her to fight for them.
The film and the story lags a little in its coming-of-age component. It’s not that Elijah Tamati is a bad actor or that the script by writer and director Nat Boltt lacks something. It’s just that the story feels like it’s pulling us too far away from the more interesting story of the nuns. While Brian’s story weaves and often reveals the main conflicts, it feels clunkier than everything else. It’s obvious why it’s there as these nuns have spent the majority of their lives in service to children like Brian who need guidance during life’s big moments. Yet, the stories are at odds, especially during the harrowing and, ultimately, affecting sequence in the snow storm. This detour feels like we lose the momentum of the main plot.
Holy Days is a joy to watch. Some of the jokes are so-so, but the majority of it is tremendous fun. It’s the kind of comedy that is down to earth, but understands that whimsy is just as important. It’s a comedy that makes you laugh out loud as it also makes you cry. There’s magic in a good story told well and Holy Days has that magic to spare.
