Change of Habit (1969)

The film was still a fun one that will make you laugh and have you leaving the theater feeling like you just stole something valuable and got away with it.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Elvis Presley was a hugely influential performer with one of the most distinctive singing voices of anybody. He embarked on a film career consisting of 33 films from 1956 to 1969, films that did well at the box-office but mostly panned critically (especially his later films) and while he was a highly charismatic performer he was never considered a great actor.'Change of Habit' was one of his last films, well his last proper film not counting his 1970s documentary films. He has certainly done much better, that have been cited numerous times in my previous Elvis film reviews, but for a later Elvis effort it's not bad, faring significantly better than most later-period films of his where one can really understand why they are so disliked.There are flaws certainly. The script is very weak, the humour can be unfunny (apart from some sporadically amusing moments) and it often feels tired and stilted, parts are tastelessly questionable too. The story has some intriguing elements, but it can be a case of trying to do too much and not knowing what to do with it or who to target it towards. The songs are few, and other than catchy "Rubberneckin" they are not memorable or particularly great and the music score can be unfitting. The film also feels too unresolved at the end.However, 'Change of Habit' is better looking than many of the later Elvis films made on the cheap, it's nicely photographed. The story is a more serious and darker change of pace for Elvis, isn't dull and there are some very intriguing elements that are quite daring for an Elvis film.Regarding Elvis himself, he looks and sounds great, looks involved and has a relaxed confidence. Mary Tyler matches him well, and the supporting cast are excellent. The direction is competent enough if at times not particularly distinguished.In summary, a mixed bag but watchable enough. 5/10 Bethany Cox

In one of his later films, Elvis Presley plays a doctor in a rough part of town and has requested some nurses who can handle themselves. What he didn't expect was that they would turn out to be nuns, but he is not told that in the beginning. Mary Tyler Moore, Barbara McNair and Jane Elliott are the nuns, who dress without their habits to be a part of the people and not be treated differently. Of course there is animosity and attraction between Mary and Elvis, and, while that is a subplot that is always there, it takes the back burner to the patients, including a young girl who's autistic and a young man who stutters and is a little disturbed and has a way with knives. This is better than it sounds, due in part to their compassion for their patients, therefore making the characters very real and three-dimensional. Jane Elliott and Barbara McNair give good support and deliver their line with much zest and pizazz. What really hurts the film in my opinion is the music. I think the film's dramatic impact would have been strengthened by the lack of music and the songs, while upbeat, tend to be rather corny in this tough neighborhood. While it would have been a good drama, it was only slowed down and made a bit odd by the use of music in the film. One can only think that they inserted songs to not disappoint Elvis die-hard fans, expecting it. And another thing that hurts is the subplot of a Mr. Big, who you don't want to owe money to. That plot wraps up rather unbelievably. I think I read somewhere that Ms. Moore had to deflect Elvis' advances during the making of this film. "Change of Habit" makes for interesting drama with a few unnecessary songs and contains a rather unresolved ending concerning Mary and Elvis. Or does it?

Change of Habit(1969),Elvis' last feature film, is a combination of The Singing Nun(66), Bells of St Mary's(45),The Nun's Story(59)and Where Angels Go,Trouble Follows(68) and stars Mary Tyler Moore, Jane Elliot and Barabara McNair as plain clothes nuns who work as nurses in the free clinic presided over by Elvis' Dr. John Carpenter. This was Moore's last theatrical film for over decade; she didn't make another film until 1980's Ordinary People. Moore who was a year younger than Presley appears wan and ill-at-ease next to Presey who never looked better. Though unconvincing as a doctor, he's likable, and a toned- down Barabara McNair makes for a convincing nun. This G-rated film deals with autism, sexism, features an attempted rape at knife point and references to prostitution and abortion. Director William Graham also directed Honky(1971). Ed Asner who played Moores's boss on her long-running sitcom appears as a police officer.

This movie is dated in a lot of ways, and not so dated in others. The fact that it was made at the end of the 60's comes out not only in the topics, but the way the movie was made, using modern (for the time--but maybe outdated for movies now) sets, filming techniques, and even story lines. Still, we see here that Elvis was an outstanding actor. It was not hard to think he was anything other than the character he played in this movie. I also have to add that he looks extremely cool in this movie!The part that really shines in this movie is the last 20 minutes. The complicated love between Elvis' and Mary Tyler Moore's characters is NOT outdated at all. This part of the movie is played out really well. On top of this, finding out the destinies of the other sisters will leave us as viewers with a lasting impression.