Reptileenbu Did you people see the same film I saw?

Comwayon A Disappointing Continuation

Humbersi The first must-see film of the year.

Gary The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

Scott LeBrun Written and directed with gusto by Jonathan Lynn, "Nuns on the Run" is very engaging, very British comedy that keeps the men-in-drag staple alive and kicking. It's energetic, breezy, snappy stuff with some great lines, some gentle digs at Catholicism, and spirited performances, especially from stars Eric Idle and Robbie Coltrane. Produced by George Harrison's Handmade Films company, it follows Idle, as Brian, and Coltrane, as Charlie, two small time criminals sick and tired of working for a thuggish young boss, "Case" Casey (Robert Patterson). They learn that their boss plans on stealing money from the Triads, so Brian and Charlie decide to purloin the money for themselves. They make a mess of the job, and end up being forced to hide in a convent, where they have to pass themselves off as nuns - Sister Inviolata of the Immaculate Conception and Sister Euphemia of the Five Wounds ("Five Wounds" for short). What follows is predictable enough but still entertaining farce as Brian and Charlie go about their nuns' duties, while the mobsters they double crossed try to track them down, and Brians' love interest Faith (the adorable Camille Coduri) does the same. The film overall doesn't work as well when the focus is off Brian and Charlie, but it still entertains solidly and agreeably for its 93 minute duration. It gets off to a very bright start, ends up sagging a little, but ultimately gets back on track with a wonderfully lively finish. The best thing about it is a sterling pair of performances by the well cast, likable leads; the supporting cast are no slouches, though, with Janet Suzman as the Sister Superior, Lila Kaye as Sister Mary of the Annunciation, and the hilarious Doris Hare as Sister Mary of the Sacred Heart. There isn't much violence, and what little there is, is played for laughs, although viewers might be surprised to see some topless shots from the comely young students at the convent. Among the highlights are Charlie's take on sinning and religion as he explains it to a horn dog priest, Father Seamus (Tom Hickey), his basketball game with the girls, and Brian's predicament as he attempts to visit Faith while still trying to pull the wool over the real nuns' eyes. Punctuated by a typically amusing score by the group Yello (those guys who will likely always be best remembered for their "Oh Yeah" tune), "Nuns on the Run" is a good, fun flick from start to finish, and it comes up with a fine punchline at the end. Seven out of 10.

Lee Eisenberg Sort of an updated "Some Like It Hot", "Nuns on the Run" casts Eric Idle and Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies) as a pair of bumbling gangsters who have to pose as nuns to hide from their employers, a rival gang, and the cops. There are more than a few scenes that they must have REALLY had fun filming! It's one movie that's guaranteed to restore anyone's faith...in slapstick humor, that is.Yes, it's nice, brainless fun, complete with a scene whose target audience is probably 14-year-old boys. I particularly liked the scene with the gutter, but the truth is that the whole movie is a good time. Another fine accomplishment from George Harrison's HandMade Films (Harrison is even credited at the beginning of the movie).And remember: we have to keep sinning to keep Jesus in business! PS: Janet Suzman (Sister Liz) is the niece of anti-apartheid activist Helen Suzman.

blanche-2 Robbie Coltrane and Eric Idle are "Nuns on the Run" in this 1990 British comedy also starring Janet Suzman and Camille Coduri. Coltrane and Idle play Charlie and Brian, who commit robberies for the big boss, whose cover is a health club. Unfortunately, they become personae non grata when one of their colleagues, who wants out, tells the boss that Charlie and Brian want out, too. That colleague later winds up dead. With their boss no longer trusting them, they are ordered to rob drug money from a dangerous group called The Trinity - but the boss has ordered his other associates to kill them. Charlie and Brian, meanwhile, have decided to rob the drug lord all right, keep the money for themselves and escape to Rio. When they arrive at the scene, their would-be killers are already there. Tipped off by Brian's girlfriend, they turn the tables on the assassins, grab the money, and run inside the nearest open doorway, which turns out to be a convent. They dress in nun's clothes, buy some makeup and become nuns. Nuns who always carry black briefcases.This is a very entertaining, if often low comedy with good performances. Idle is funny as the lovesick Brian whose girlfriend Faith (Coduri) keeps losing her glasses and can't see anything. The beautiful Coduri is a riot, doing a sort of Marilyn Monroe in "How to Marry a Millionaire" by constantly walking into things. Coltrane plays the more pragmatic, tougher Charlie who can't help going into the girls' shower after teaching gym. He is also the one who really gets into the whole religious thing, being Catholic himself. "I think God is going to get us out of this," he announces. Janet Suzman does a good job as the Mother Superior, who finds the new nuns odd to say the least. But she has some other problems, one of which is dealing with an older, alcoholic, compulsive gambler nun who stole 50,000 pounds from the drug rehabilitation program run by the sisters.If you're Catholic, you'll get a kick out of this film or hate it. I myself thought Charlie trying to teach Brian about the Holy Trinity was a scream, as was Brian totally botching it when repeating it to his students. Also funny was Charlie teaching Brian the sign of the cross and genuflecting. When Faith goes to confession, afraid she'll say something she shouldn't, Brian replaces the priest, and Charlie has to whisper the absolution in his ear, which Brian messes up. "I resolve you - no, I absolve you of your sins..." Definitely recommended.

Stephanie K The other weekend I got out about 10 movies out which featured my love, Eric Idle. Watching this at about 2:30 in the morning on a depressive chocolate high made it seem much better that it was, which was still pretty bad. I didn't find it funny, it was just annoying more than anything else. The whole plot was inconceivable and unconvincing, the script itself was incredibly poor. True, Idle and Coltrane do their best, but sadly it isn't enough to keep this Titanic of a movie afloat. There was no story, no driving force behind it and as a result, it flopped. If, like me, you're an Eric fan, stick to his better movies. Don't taint his image by seeing this rubbish.