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Change of Habit

Change of Habit

List Price: $9.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: The Original "Dr. Vegas"
Review: "Change of Habit" (1969) will not be remembered as one of Elvis Presley's best efforts, but this socially conscious drama represents an admirable change of pace. In his last fictional film, Elvis gives a believable performance in the improbable role of a ghetto doctor. He actually fares better than Mary Tyler Moore -- hopelessly miscast as a nun. Though ludicrous in spots, "Change of Habit" is easier to sit through than many of Elvis' lame musicals. Unfortunately, Dr. Presley has to sing a few songs, including the dreadful "Have a Happy," which should have been cut. Still, Elvis remains fascinating to watch and the climactic gospel-rock number is a must-see.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: For Die-Hard Elvis Fans Only
Review: "Change of Habit" is easily one of the worst films I've ever had the misfortune to see. In addition to the fact that each and every production aspect -- e.g., the acting -- is abysmal, the film is hopelessly dated. It's singularly emblematic of the fatuous film and TV fare of its era, when liberal Hollywood was just beginning to think (using that verb loosely in this case) that self-righteousness and the abrogation of reason would somehow (as if by magic) resolve serious social and cultural conflicts. Hollywood's approach has become far more sophisticated over the years, though its underlying premise remains as dumb as ever. Moreover, Hollywood's nascent anti-Catholicism (far cruder and more explicit today) is also evident here. Liturgical and other forms of unorthodoxy are applauded, apparently because they indicated that the Church was finally leaving the Middle Ages behind (whatever that means). Oh, please. Those offensive innovations proved to be a disaster for the Church and the world. Fortunately for both, a return to orthodoxy is well underway.

Oh, and the implied comparison between Our Lord and Mr. Presley made me want to gag.

A true Elvis fan (and perhaps a student of Hollywood in the '60s) will likely enjoy this film. As for the rest of you: Avoid the leprous "C of H".

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Elvis' Last Screen Role
Review: "Change of Habit" will not be remembered as one of Elvis Presley's best efforts, but this socially conscious drama represents an admirable change of pace. In his last fictional film, Elvis gives a believable performance in the improbable role of a ghetto doctor. He actually fares better than Mary Tyler Moore -- hopelessly miscast as a nun. Though ludicrous in spots, "Change of Habit" is easier to sit through than many of Elvis' lame musicals. Unfortunately, Dr. Presley has to sing a few songs, including the dreadful "Have a Happy," which should have been cut. Still, Elvis remains fascinating to watch and the climactic gospel-rock number is a must-see.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: American humour?
Review: After reading the reviews for this movie, you would come away thinking it was a comedy. I do not feel the movie could in any way be described as a comedy, unless that is the way America interprets comedy. Why not check out down under in Australia to find out what comedy really means and you'll come away with stitches!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: CHANGE OF ...
Review: AS PRESLEY ENDS HIS ACTING CAREER IT IS FOR CERTAIN THAT ONLY PRESLEY FANS LIKE I WOULD EVER WATCH THIS GARBAGE. REALLY NOT FOR A "MOVIE BUFF". THE FEW SONGS IN THE MOVIE SEEM TO BE JUST THROWN IN AS IF TO SAY, "OH YEA THIS IS A PRESLEY MOVIE HUH?" DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME UNLESS YOUR A FAN.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: What a fitting title
Review: Change of Habit not only fits the movie in a story context, but also Elvis personally as well. A real acting role that doesn't rely on songs - Change of Habit. Elvis last acting role - Change of Habit. Elvis preparing to begin touring again - Change of Habit. I'd say Change YOUR habit about thinking all Elvis movies as silly thin plots used to promote songs, and buy this movie, it's great.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Rage Control
Review: Elvis looks great and could be called Dr Feelgood for whatever is wrong with the ladies. It has an interesting story but I felt it could have been developed more. A good movie for the whole family.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Watch this only if you've already seen "Plan 9"
Review: Elvis plays a hip young doctor helping out the neglected souls living in the ghetto. Mary Tyler Moore is one of a trio of nuns who arrive in plainclothes to work undercover in Elvis' clinic. Much romance and social consciousness ensues, all of it presented so clumsily and wrongheadedly that it sometimes made my jaw drop in disbelief.

A shy romance ensues between Moore and Elvis (who doesn't know that she is a nun), leading to the film's unbelievable concluding scene, in which...

SPOILER!

...Moore returns to the neighborhood's Catholic church. Unlike before, it is now a thriving center of worship led by Elvis singing and playing "Let Us Pray" (or something like that) on his guitar. Moore is torn between her vows and her love for Elvis, which is dramatized by cutting between the singing pop icon and the relics of the Catholic church. Elvis...or Jesus? Elvis...or Jesus?

A remarkably simple-minded film. I give it 3 stars because its so bad that it becomes weirdly fascinating. Don't rent it unless the Ed Wood, Jr. bin of your local video store is empty.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Presley's Most Influential Film In My Life
Review: Elvis portrays a doctor who is attracted to a perky nurse played by Mary Tyler Moore. What he doesn't know is that she really is a nun, and unfortunately for him, she is already married to God.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Change Of Habit
Review: Ending his days in Hollywood with the type of dramatic role he always craved, Elvis gives an ironic twist to his movie career. Though it is not a particularly profound film , Change Of Habit does represent a change of pace for Elvis. A drama instead of a comedy, this film featured only three songs. Elvis stars a Dr. John Carpenter, a professional man for the first time in his career. Dr. Carpenter heads a clinic in a ghetto area of a major metropolitan area. He is suprised to be offered assitance by three woman. Unknown to him, the three are nuns in street clothing who are on a "secret" mission to aid the community but are afraid the local residents might be reluctant to seek hekp if their true identities were known. Dr. Carpenter falls in love with Sister Michelle Gallagher (Mary Tyler Moore) but her true vocation remains unknown to him. Sister Michelle also has feelings for Dr. Carpenter but is reluctant to leave the order. The film concludes with Sister Michelle entering a church to pray for guidance to make her choice - the church or Dr. Carpenter.

Unfortunately, by this time, Elvis had lost his lack of interest in pursuing a film career and had let his film contracts expire. He was eagerly awaiting his freedom to return to live performances.

It's interesting to note the cast in this film. Mary Tyler Moore who had success in the Dick Van Dyke show and her own series The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Ed Asner who co-stared on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Jane Elliot (Sister Barbara Bennett) is now a well know soap opera star. Darlene Love who was a member of The Blossoms singing group that backed Elvis on his 1968 NBC TV Special and later played Danny Glover's wife in Lethal Weapon plays one of the backup singers in this film.

Produced for Universal Pictures by Joe Connelly. Released November 10, 1969. Color.


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