Uma Cruz à Beira do Abismo

Watching the first third of this film aggravated me somewhat, since it seemed to be celebrating the self-contradictory and arbitrary regulations that govern the monastic lives of some nuns. But this film has a lot to offer and each subsequent third is better than the last.

Audrey Hepburn is Gabrielle van der Mal, a young Belgian woman who commits her life to Christ and becomes Sister Luke. Hepburn was proud of this film and justifiably so. Her portrayal (based on a true story) is riveting and authentic. The entire cast is excellent. Peter Finch plays Dr. Fortunati, a physician who challenges Sister Luke with his outspoken nature and his disregard for convention.

The narrative goes well beyond Sister Luke's struggle with her vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. It is a coming of age story and a celebration of self-actualization. In the end, the viewer is left wanting more. Hepburn extracts the maximum emotional impact from each scene, and we know there is much more to this story beyond the final, haunting shot.