'Benedetta' Review: Lesbian nun drama is spiritual and controversial
Director Paul Verhoeven is known for his erotic thrillers, some of which include 'Showgirls' and 'Basic Instinct', and also sci-fi films like 'Robocop' and 'Starship Troopers'. This time, he brings something new to the table after a hiatus of five years with 'Benedetta'.
'Benedetta' is a new French biopic, set in Italy during the 17th century, and focuses on matters of spirit and the flesh. The film is easily a glorious addition to Verhoeven's filmography, although provocative and raw. Verhoeven wrote the script along with David Birke, and this is their interpretation of the life of Benedetta Carlini, the abbess of a convent in Italy. She was eventually prosecuted and imprisoned for indulging in an affair with one of the sisters in the monastery.
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DISCLAIMER: Contains spoilers for the movie.
Set in 17th century Italy, 'Benedetta' throws light on issues of the highest magnitude at the time - gratuitous sex, lesbianism, violence, and the bubonic plague, without all of which the movie would be a quick watch.
Based on Judith C Brown’s book 'Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy', the film tells the true story of Benedetta Carlini, who joins a convent as a young girl, and goes on to discover her hidden sexuality about 18 years later. She begins to have extraordinary visions of Jesus Christ himself, and wakes up with seizures and bleeding limbs. After a series of similar hallucinations, be it real or staged, Benedetta is assigned a roommate called Bartolomea (played by Daphne Patakia), to look after her in times of need. We now learn that the latter turns out to be sexually attracted and awakens dormant powerful urges in Benedetta, making her question the life she has chosen and dedication to Jesus.
Bartolomea's arrival at the convent where Benedetta lives is not a pretty one. She is trying to escape from her father, who victimized Bartolomea to both abuse and incest. Since Benedetta agreed to take her in, Bartolomea didn't know how to show her gratitude, except for offering her sexual gratification. This is how the duo's blasphemous secret begins.
The drama stars Virginie Efira, who is perfectly cast as nun Benedetta; as fresh as a flower with the intensity of a flame. Her character is portrayed so strongly, she knows when to be gentle and when to take a strong stand to defend others even before herself. Benedetta is portrayed as a natural giver in the film, and her character has gone above and beyond to do justice to the real nun. Having said that, her fierce yet kind eyes make it almost unbelievably easy for the audience to believe her as both a visionary of Christ, a fraud, or even both! Virginie Efira as Benedetta plays the lead role with utmost confidence, be it when she's offering prayers at church or indulging in foreplay with a dildo carved out of a statue of Mother Mary.
It's safe to say that 'Benedetta' is an amalgamation of many themes and concepts; a nun’s romantic fantasy with her husband, Jesus, a bit of gory and bloody violence, instances of people spanking themselves to rid of their sins, and scenes of the horrific plague.
Christianity declares that one must deny all of their earthly needs and desires as much as possible to be completely worthy of Christ himself. The story of Benedetta contradicts this notion entirely, what with being a nun who has a special relationship with Jesus Christ whilst having an active sex life with another woman within the same premises.
In hindsight, the feelings between Benedetta and Bartolomea do not waver the former's faith and belief one bit. In fact, their secret affair enhances her powers to inspire dreams of profound messages from the Lord himself. In time, Benedetta also replaces Sister Felicita (played by Charlotte Rampling) as the new abbess and leader when the stigmata on both her hands and feet are proof enough to convince the nuns that Benedetta has in fact seen Christ for real.
All in all, director Verhoeven smoothly incorporates concepts from the Renaissance culture of 17th century Italy in 'Benedetta'. This historical drama has themes of lust, jealousy, greed, and all in the face of oppression, repressed emotions, and death.
'Benedetta' was released on December 3, 2021, on VoD.
