The Novice

Catholic novice, Peter (Jacob Pitts) is now uncertain if he wants to be a priest. When a superior asked him about a pretty, shirtless lady who suddenly appeared before the two, Peter commented on her anatomy. It was the wrong answer, for souls and saving them are what is important. Nevertheless the Church is not ready to give up on Peter and send him to a remote area of Louisiana to help out in a Catholic-run food bank for the poor. But, uh oh! One of the other staff members is pretty Jill (Amy Acker) who succeeds in capturing Peter's attention. NOW, his hesitation to commit is even stronger. Also at the facility is a fine leader (Alan Arkin) and a very upset priest (Orson Bean) who was called home from Africa where the old man wanted to stay. As Peter and Jill meet frequently, even as she has revealed to the novice that her dream is to join the African Peace Corps, will love bloom? This quietly beautiful film almost has it all, for it sports a great story, a nice cast, a wildly gorgeous setting,a thoughtful premise, and a skilled direction. So, what's not to love? Find it, find it.