Obedientia. Paupertas.|Jun. 30, 2017|United States | Canada|90 Min.|R
Genre: Comedy
Description: Set in 1347 in Garfagnana, Italy, “The Little Hours” follows the lives of a group of unconventional nuns living in a convent overseen by Father Tommasso. The story revolves around three nuns: Alessandra, who dreams of a better life but remains bound to the convent due to her father’s influence; Ginevra, a gossip who hides her Jewish heritage and lesbian identity; and Fernanda, a violent and sadistic personality. Together, they frequently harass the kind-hearted gardener Lurco, who eventually quits in frustration.
Meanwhile, in Lunigiana, a young servant named Massetto is caught in a compromising situation with his master’s wife and flees. During his escape, he encounters Father Tommasso, who has lost his belongings while drunk at a riverbank. Massetto assists the priest and agrees to take on the role of the convent’s new gardener, pretending to be deaf and mute to avoid trouble with the nuns.
As Massetto settles into the convent, the nuns’ lives take unexpected turns. Fernanda’s friend Marta visits and encourages Alessandra and Ginevra to indulge in sacramental wine, speaking of the pleasures of being with a man. Fernanda and Ginevra grow closer, sharing an intimate moment, while Massetto forms a bond with Alessandra.
The story takes a darker turn when Fernanda abducts Massetto at knifepoint and takes him to a witches’ coven in the forest, attempting a fertility ritual. Alessandra and Ginevra intervene, with Ginevra, under the influence of belladonna, stripping off her clothes and dancing wildly. Massetto’s secret—that he is not deaf or mute—is revealed as chaos ensues.
The nuns’ secrets are ultimately exposed when Bishop Bartolomeo visits the convent. Father Tommasso is sent away to become a monk after it is discovered that he and the Mother Superior share a forbidden relationship. The film humorously explores themes of desire, deception, and the absurdity of religious life in medieval Italy.
Cast director: Jeff Baena
Cast actor: Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Kate Micucci, Aubrey Plaza, John C. Reilly, Molly Shannon, Fred Armisen, Jemima Kirke, Lauren Weedman, Nick Offerman
Original name: The Little Hours