Change of Habit

Elvis Presley made his last acting appearance in this film, playing a doctor opposite nun, Mary Tyler Moore. The story revolves around 3 nuns abandoning their habits, and adopting 'street clothes' to work as nurses in a ghetto practise run by Dr.John Carpenter (Elvis). There are some good scenes where Elvis is allowed to show some acting skills for which he was never really appreciated, mostly due to the woeful scripts he endured during his acting career. On the few occasions that he was given good material, his acting talents shone through. (Most notably in King Creole).

At this point in Elvis' career it is obvious that he was relishing completing his 10 year film contract as he had become completely disillusioned with the film industry and the bad material he had been given for the best part of 6 years.

The good moments in this film only emphasise the disappointment that Elvis' film career did not reach it's full potential, and we can only ponder what might have happened had he accepted roles in films such as Midnight Cowboy or A Star is Born with Barbra Streisand, both of which were offered to him.

Having worn the Habit, having gone through similar personal struggles and worked with inner city poverty and issues, I can attest to the accuracy of this movie. Also based on my own experiences, Elvis is also quite believable as the young inner city doctor trying to connect with his patients. It does accurately reflect the turbulence and changes of the 60s, besides being a fun movie. I identified with it, and feel that people who make fun of it don't really deeply understand the issues it's dealing with. I would especially recommend it to those who would like to understand that period better, plus the personal struggles of the inner city.

Unlike earlier films featuring Elvis Presley that involve mostly singing, partying, playing the hero, and getting the girl, he actually plays more serious roles here. Nevertheless, this movie is underrated. At the time it was released, the film was probably used as a social-political instrument for change but watching it now refreshingly brings the audience back to a time when people thought things differently and society was going through tumultuous social changes. This film captures the full spirit of its time and really sets the stage for the dawn of the 1970's. It is also a surprise that so many reviewers do not mention much about this side of the film as it probably was the intention of its directors.

A sad lament among fans of Elvis Presley is that his handlers (read: Col. Tom Parker) thought so little of him and his talents that they put him in piles of cinematic dung such as "Paradise Hawaiian Style" and turned down movies like "A Star is Born". If you've spent your life watching "Girls Girls Girls" and "Kid Galahad" then seeing a "normal" Elvis sans jumpsuit or guitar or a bevy of bikini-clad babes may jar you.

However, "Change of Habit" is not one of his mindless musicals. It is instead an attempt at a "real" movie, and Elvis fares well. It is odd to see Mary Tyler Moore as his love interest, but it's odd to see her as anything but Laura Petrie to me anyway. A little better script, maybe a different actress as his foil, and "Change of Habit" would have been a better movie. But when you compare it to "Clambake" ....well.....that's not really fair is it?

Elvis last movie, and one that reflects his maturity, since it was released in 1969, when he was thirty four years of age.His first movie was in 1956, when he was 19. The vast difference is evident. The part he plays is an odd but welcome role for him. He gets to do some serious acting for a change. He is not a bad actor in this movie. The social and racial times are reflected through out the movie. The use of the 'N" word is rather shocking, especially when uttered by a small child. The ignorance about the causes and treatment of children with autism, at that time is apparent in the way it is dealt with. Racial stereotypes are pepper through out this production. Still it is worth a look.