In 1968 the Comeback Special featuring Elvis Presley made him a hot commodity again. Fans were still lining up to see him perform live. It was only natural that he would return to the big screen in a new feature film. He made several films in the wake of that special. His last was CHANGE OF HABIT. It was the last time he would act in a film.
The movie focuses on three nuns who are about to complete their final vows. They are sent to an inner city doctor’s office to help as much as they can. The sisters arrive and dress in everyday clothing for fear that the locals won’t come to them for help if they know they are nuns. Sister Michelle (Mary Tyler Moore) is the main leader of the trio along with Sister Irene (Barbara McNair) and Sister Barbara (Jane Eliot). The doctor is younger than they expected and at first finds their choice to work in his clinic odd. But Dr. John Carpenter (Elvis Presley) isn’t quite the normal doctor either,
The local priest in the neighborhood offers little help to the three and feels the whole project is worthless. Dr. Carpenter is unaware that they are nuns and questions their arrival but goes along with it once he sees they are capable. It isn’t long before they’ve earned his trust and that of the neighborhood.
When they first arrive they check out the apartment the priest has reserved for them. It’s a shambles and they have to make it livable. A few of the patients along with Carpenter come along to help and it isn’t long before Carpenter finds himself attracted to Michelle. Knowing nothing of her status as a nun she fends him off but might find herself falling as well.
The neighborhood is a rough one. Not knowing they are nuns or if that would matter they find themselves harassed and at one point an attempted rape takes place. As they see the world through different eyes the three nuns begin to alter their personal views. Will they take those final vows or won’t they?
The movie isn’t your typical Elvis vehicle. For one thing he shares top billing and equal status of character with Moore who was soon to star in her hit series THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW. The biggest change from previous Elvis movies is the music and the insertion of it. Where in previous films he would break out into song as in movie musicals, here he sings in more realistic moments. A party with friends, a church, the housewarming. It fits in better than in the past.
Presley and Moore work well together but at the same time you get the feeling both were too old for the roles they are playing. It doesn’t affect their performances and both come off as believable. The rest of the cast does equally well, including Ed Asner in a small role. It makes you wonder if this is how Moore met him.
One things is sure to be noticed about this film. It feels more like a television movie than a feature film. Everything makes it appear so from the sets that feel like a backlot to the writing, direction and look of the film. That shouldn’t be so surprising since director William Graham had mainly worked in episodic television rather than feature films by the time he directed this.
On the whole the movie is an enjoyable one to watch and Kino
Lorber has released it on Blu-ray for fans of the film and of Elvis. Those who
want to own all of his movies will want this one to add to their collection.
For the rest it’s a nice fun time at the movies.
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