However quickly or slowly one recognizes that the core conceit of 2021's 'Habit' takes a sliver from that of 1992's 'Sister act,' it's fair to say that the two pictures are sufficiently different that points of comparison are minimal and minor, and ultimately kind of irrelevant. And sadly, by way or comparison or not, nearly from the moment one first presses "play" things don't look good for Janell Shirtcliff's feature.
Considered each in and of themselves, most of the fundamental building blocks of the movie are just fine, or even great. The costume design, hair, and makeup are consistently over the top, but I admire the work all the same, and the results range from a little needlessly garish, to outlandish but fun. The sets are very colorful, and are lent a certain faux-retro feel thanks to a vague hazy quality laid over the image. The cast includes several very notable names and faces, and it's a small joy just to see some of them - Andreja Pevic, Hana Mae Lee, Gavin Rossdale, plus Bella Thorne, Ione Skye, Paris Jackson (?!), and more. There are some swell songs selected for the soundtrack, though sometimes the choices just seem entirely too random to be meaningful or useful. The editing and cinematography are, shall we say, excitable, and maybe too much so, but situationally such an approach to these can be quite worthwhile. Some special effects are simply a bit much, but from a rudimentary standpoint of the effort I appreciate what the crew turned in. I would even go so far as to say there are some splendid ideas in the screenplay devised between director Shirtcliff and co-star Libby Mintz.
Unfortunately, the problem is that all these elements are outrageously overcooked - and pointlessly so. 'Habit' has a story to tell, but it is extremely overdone in every last regard simply because it can be, and for no actual reason. There doesn't seem to be one ounce of sincerity to be had here, and that emphatically includes the acting. To whatever degree I'm familiar with those in front of the camera, I either know or trust that they're capable of excellent performances, and would demonstrate it if given the opportunity. We might even see slight glimmers, here, of that capability, like trying to watch a stage play from a distant window with several panes of dirty glass that obscure the real value.
The screenplay might actually be the worst aspect of all. There's no major purpose to the self-proclaimed religiosity of protagonist Mads; supposing that her inner thoughts as expressed through narration might have had worth, that's just not true as written. More broadly, the dialogue, characterizations, and scene writing are likewise wholly overblown - just vacuous rubbish, really. Such a tack is intended to be funny, and one can discern instances of what is supposed to be witty dialogue, situational humor, and sight gags in addition to the highly exaggerated characters and scenes. But it's not funny. With the exception of exactly one laugh that it unexpectedly earns, it's only ever emptily obnoxious, fruitlessly excessive, and desperately scrabbling to inspire so much as a slight smile in any way. (It might come close, a couple times, to exercising one's facial muscles, but that's mostly the best it gets.) I'm unconvinced that there are even cohesive connections between story beats, not least the personal habits and beliefs of Mads that rather get dropped for a large portion of the narrative. Supporting characters (especially Queenie, Tuff, and Sunny) are given the worst writing of all. Once more, I do genuinely think there are some neat ideas to play with. But not like this. Not like this.
I wish nothing but the best for everyone involved. I want to see these actors in more films, and see what they can do when given the chance to spread their wings. I trust that Shirtcliff will grow as a filmmaker and some day will show what she can do, and likewise for Mintz, for whom this represents a first writing credit. I kind of feel bad being so heavily critical of this picture, and I try ever to find the strengths in anything I watch. All the most earnest good will can't cover for the fact that 'Habit' is, regrettably, just not very good. There needed to be wit, intelligence, and intent behind the excess; the screenplay needed to be tightened; much of the rampant indulgences needed to be reined in. There was potential here, but as it stands, this movie just doesn't cut it.
