The Nun (La religieuse)  (2013)

This movie was so well-acted that I forgot that I was reading subtitles (my knowledge of French is limited). As a 16 year old, Suzanne Simonin is forced by circumstances to become a nun. Suzanne (portrayed by Pauline Etienne) has unbelievably expressive eyes and lit up every scene. All characters were portrayed by actors who were able to inhabit their roles with such talent, that one forgets this is just fiction. Scenery, costumes, architecture were beautifully filmed. Ironically (in my opinion) the main character survives enough mistreatment to qualify for sainthood, but all she desires is a life "outside". The ending of this film is a bit abrupt, perhaps it mirrors the novel (completed by Denis Diderot in 1780 not published until 1796 which was after Diderot's death). I was amazed to learn that this novel was written as a practical joke to get Marquis de Croismare (friend of Diderot's) back to Paris. Would that my practical jokes become this successful. If the name Diderot sounds familiar, he worked with Rousseau and others in creating the Encyclopédie which was innovative in including comments from many contributors, attention to mechanical arts and ideas of the period known as The Enlightenment. While certain portions of this movie were hard to watch, there was nothing gratuitous. The one nude scene shown is a highly uncomfortable one as it was portraying the continued oppression that the main character had to endure. I never doubted that she was that character. This movie accurately portrays the world that forced individuals into situations far from their personal choices. While Diderot was not a fan of the church, this movie is more of a statement of how those in power sometimes treat those without power. I would not call the ending happy, but there is closure.