Body and Soul DVD with Kristin Scott Thomas, Sandra Voe, Anthony Valentine (NR) +Movie Reviews

Another Nun's Tale

Judith Johnson | Albany, NY | 01/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is almost a rite of passage for beautiful actresses to portray a nun-Ingrid Bergman, Audrey Hepburn, Deborah Kerr, Jennifer Jones and Julie Andrews have all starred as women with religious vocations (and never have whimples been more flattering). Heart and Soul features beautiful Kristin Scott Thomas as the innocent yet sensual Sister Gabriel/Anna Gibson, a woman torn between the two worlds of a Welsh convent and a gritty English mill in a story based on Marcelle Bernstein's novel.

Sister Gabriel/Anna is already doubting her vocation when a family tragedy takes her back out into the world that she renounced 16 years ago. Believable character arcs, realistic sets and an excellent supporting cast make this a very satisfying five hour drama. A must see for Thomas fans. Very gripping-I had to make myself quit watching and go to bed!! Yeah BBC.

"

Wondrously memorable, KST's nuanced performance is a delight

Judith Johnson | 11/19/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In this extraordinary story of a woman's crossover from one world to another, Kristin Scott Thomas's performance is astonishing. The chemistry between Sister Gabriel (KST) and her sister-in-law (Amanda Redman) is very satisfying to behold. A stunning cast throughout... There are so many delightful moments in this mini-series that it is a must-see (and own) for KST fans. Soulful throughout..."

BREAKING OUT OF CELL WALLS

Bonita L. Davis | 02/22/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For sixteen years Sr. Gabriel lived a cloistered life in a convent. Her family consisted of an order of elderly nuns. A pesky young novice becomes infatuated with her but Sr. Gabriel knows that God will take care of such an annoyance. Life in the order is safe, comforting and routine. God does have a way of breaking one out of his/her comfort zone. In this case Sr. Gabriel is forced to confront the outside world as she is summoned to help her pregnant sister-in-law. Her dutiful brother committed suicide and now left his sister with quite a mess to handle. Sr. Gabriel enters into the world of grief, squawking children, hideous dress and hairstyles, a hysterical sister-in-law and the family mill which is about to go under. Kristen Scott Thomas gives a superb performance of a nun coming to grips with her faith and the various emotional and spiritual turbulance that she finds in both worlds. Sr. Gabriel finds out that one's cell can be stifling. Her other self, Anna, discovers a world that is cruel, painful, and frightening but at the same time filled with joys that she never experienced before. Body and Soul deals with a woman's need to make peace within herself and become a whole woman in the midst of the chaos surrounding her. The great mystery is can this woman do it? Is she replacing one cell wall for another? This is an entertaining film that gives you great insight upon the temptations that plague all of us."

Something Different

MJ | 11/07/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I sat absolutely mesmerized through the first two tapes of this series. I thought it was one of the most intriguing "different" stories I had ever watched. Kristin Scott Thomas was wonderful in the lead role and the story line was fascinating. But sadly, I was disappointed with the third part. (Don't read on if you haven't seen it). I found it completely unbelievable that she would make her focus to get laid. Being a nun all those years, I could not accept that she would throw herself at a man who treated her like dirt. It was not in line with her character at all. Not believable. However, I still recommend this series. Its not typical in any way and therefore enjoyable."

Body & Soul = Heart & Soul

MJ | Timonium, MD United States | 02/06/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first saw this on Masterpiece Theatre sometime in the mid 90's. I enjoyed it. What really hit home with me was when Sister Gabriel/Anna realizes that true suffering is out in the common place world, not in a convent. Life in the convent is depicted in this series as bleak, silent, cold, denial of food, hard work and lots of prayer.

When Anna first goes to see her widowed sister in law, she is shocked by the billboards (ie: an ad for condoms) and life in general outside of the convent. Very gradually she comes to realize that the vows she made 16 years earlier is not what she wants. The pain and anger her sister in law feels for both Anna (running away to the convent to avoid life) and her dead husband (he commits suicide by driving his car off the road - after mailing his very expensive watch and a few other things to his wife) leaving her with several children and one on the way is very powerful.

When Sister Gabriel/Anna returns to the convent after helping her sister in law with the new baby and children, there is much hostility towards her. One of the Sisters beomes deathly ill, Sister Gabriel is accused of bringing back disease from the outside world.

Following all of the changes from total seclusion to Anna taking her dead parents business over, making it profitable, and falling in love is very subtle. In the end Anna realizes that the decision to leave the Convent and renounce her vows is the correct thing for her to do. Anna ends up saving jobs at her parents near bankrupt yarn factory (her brother was not a good business man) by turning it around (with the help of Mother Superiors' accounting abilites) and helps with her sister in law and children. Thus finding life to be much more rewarding outside of the convent.

I won't say much about her experience falling in love, buy this DVD and find out for yourself.

As usual, this is a top notch British production."

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