Sister Act (1992)
73%RT Audience Score: 65%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Sister Act is a film that has stood the test of time, and for good reason. Whoopi Goldberg’s comedic timing and infectious energy are the driving force behind this holy-poky, mayhem-filled romp. While the premise may be goofy, Goldberg refuses to take it too seriously, resulting in a film that is light and fluffy, yet still manages to deliver plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and warm fuzzies. The musical numbers are a highlight, adding an extra layer of joy to an already delightful film. It’s a shame that cinema seems to have lost the formula for this kind of unassuming, crowd-pleasing movie, but thankfully, Sister Act remains a shining example of how to do it right.
Sister Act is the kind of movie that makes you want to put on a habit and start singing in a choir. Whoopi Goldberg is hilarious as always, and the rest of the cast keeps up with her comedic timing. The plot may be a bit predictable, but who cares when you’re having this much fun? The musical numbers are the cherry on top of this holy-poky sundae. Overall, I give it two thumbs up and a round of applause.
Production Company(ies)
Sister, Touchstone Pictures
Distributor
Buena Vista Pictures
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
California, United States; Nevada, United States
MPAA / Certificate
PG
Year of Release
1992
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 40m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): May 29, 1992 Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 1, 2004
Genre(s)
Musical/Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Whoopi Goldberg, Harvey Keitel, Maggie Smith, Kathy Najimy, Wendy Makkena, Mary Wickes, directed by Emile Ardolino, written by Paul Rudnick, musical, comedy, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Dolores Barclay, Jeff Menell, Owen Gleiberman, David Ansen, Roger Ebert, Steve Davis, Eddie Harrison, Mike Massie, Vanessa Letts, Colette DeDonato, James Plath, Brian Orndorf, PG rating, witness protection, California convent, choir, lounge singer, mobster, murder, nun, soulful act, vibrant, Teri Schwartz, Mario Iscovich, Touchstone Pictures, Buena Vista Pictures, Surround, Stereo
Worldwide gross: $139,605,150
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: $139,605,150
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $31,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $70,463,712
Production budget ranking: 600
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $37,944,709
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Maggie Smith – Mother Superior
Kathy Najimy – Sister Mary Patrick
Wendy Makkena – Sister Mary Robert
Mary Wickes – Sister Mary Lazarus
Harvey Keitel – Vince LaRocca
Director – Emile Ardolino
Producer – Mario Iscovich, Teri Schwartz
Writer – Paul Rudnick
Director(s)
Emile Ardolino
Writer(s)
Paul Rudnick
Producer(s)
Mario Iscovich, Teri Schwartz
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (28) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (21) | Rotten (7)
Sister Act is outrageous fun and delicious deviltry. The laughs keep coming but, best of all, there’s much humanity at work. It’s a movie that just, pardon me, makes you feel darn good.
February 19, 2020
Dolores Barclay
Associated Press
TOP CRITIC
It’s all pretty predictable, and if there was time you might get pissed off at the ridiculousness of it all. But things move at such a quickened pace, and the comedic timing of all involved is impressive enough to override the structural flaws.
June 1, 2019
Jeff Menell
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
September 7, 2011 | Rating: B-
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
It’s Whoopi and the girls who keep this confection tasty.
March 31, 2008
David Ansen
Newsweek
TOP CRITIC
The trailer has high energy and whammo punchlines. The movie is sort of low-key and contemplative and a little too thoughtful.
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 2.5/4
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/5
Steve Davis
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
…the kind of unassuming, crowd-pleasing, light-weight but satisfying film that cinema has completely lost the formula for by 2023…
February 21, 2023 | Rating: 3/5
Eddie Harrison
film-authority.com
Whoopi is aware of the goofy premise, refusing to take her situation with any seriousness, even though the rest of the cast attempts a level of sincerity.
September 24, 2020 | Rating: 7/10
Mike Massie
Gone With The Twins
The film trundles along, full of holy-poky, mayhem and one-liners.
July 25, 2018
Vanessa Letts
The Spectator
The musical numbers really make Sister Act.
June 20, 2017 | Rating: 3/5
Colette DeDonato
Common Sense Media
Light and fluffy as it is, “Sister Act” still has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and some warm fuzzies as well as some believable action, and that makes it a 7 out of 10 in my book. But the sequel? It’s more like a 5.
June 24, 2012 | Rating: 6/10
James Plath
Movie Metropolis
Nothing like a heartwarming Disney comedy with a body count to raise spirits.
May 28, 2012 | Rating: C+
Brian Orndorf
BrianOrndorf.com…
Plot
When a lounge singer witnesses a murder committed by her mobster boyfriend, she is relocated to a California convent under the guise of a nun, where she shakes up the quiet lives of the resident sisters by turning their choir into a vibrant and soulful act in Sister Act.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels doesn’t say anything goofy or funny about Sister Act, but it does mention that the film stars Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith, and Harvey Keitel.
Emile-Ardolino.jpg
