Once you understand the tone of Stephanie Kaznocha‘s Confessions, you’ll soon realize how much fun a pair of old ladies can be. And when they are seasoned nuns performing light acts of sin, it makes it that much better.
Following the unexpected death of a fellow sister, Sister Alva (Carol Herman) and Sister Mary (Eve Sigall) talk openly about their own desires for death. How do they want to go now that death is so close? A long illness? A bell tower accident? These musings, though sinful, allow the pair to explore other bits of sin they have missed in the service of God.
The idea of a pair of irreverent nuns isn’t new, but this film puts a lighter spin on the idea. The ladies aren’t cursing, getting tattoos, or denouncing their faith. Instead, it’s the idea of two women who have devoted themselves to a lifestyle that didn’t allow for variation, finally experiencing some of that variation. Their “sins” are talking about their desire for sausage, or the vanity of wanting to be fussed over. It doesn’t lessen the reality of the world, but puts a spin on the idea of it being soaked in darkness.
Herman and Sigall, despite their advancing age, still have the comedic timing and punch to pull the film off. They both are on the same page with what Kaznocha is looking to do, and they miss no opportunity for light comedy and tenderness.
Not every film has to be life and death, even though Confessions is very much about life and death. Balancing the two can be quite the feat.