The Calling review

A university student leaves education to pursue a different kind of sisterhood...

Why you can trust 12DOVE Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

Sisters are doing it for themselves in this Nun’s Story update from writer/director Jan Dunn, which sees a devout lass (Emily Beecham) enter a priory to the dismay of mummy Amanda Donohoe.

There, the lass encounters a kindly Brenda Blethyn, a demented Susannah York and various roadblocks that lead her to question whether or not a life of spiritual asceticism is really for her.

Overstocked with incident and treading an awkward line between broad comedy and melodrama, The Calling ultimately gets by on the quality of its cast and Dunn’s admirable ability to make a virtually non-existent budget go an impressively long way.

Freelance Writer

Neil Smith is a freelance film critic who has written for several publications, including Total Film. His bylines can be found at the BBC, Film 4 Independent, Uncut Magazine, SFX, Heat Magazine, Popcorn, and more.