Documentary Movie: God is the Bigger Elvis HBO Documentary Films 2012 Nominee for an Academy Award
Topics: Benedictine Nun, Religion, Hollywood Actress, Connecticut
Dolores Hart was an actress who found quick success in the 1950s after being cast in a movie opposite Elvis Presley. She was cast in other movies after that and was a young and beautiful popular actress at the time. She left it all to move to Bethelhem, Connecticut to become a Benedictine Nun at Regina Laudis Abbey. She has been there for fifty years.
This is an interesting movie which shows the lifestyle and work of these Benedictine Nuns. Why people would leave mainstream society to become a nun is explored yet it is not all peaches and cream as many struggle and question why they are there and if they made the right choice.
Dolores Hart is the central figure in the film and she is now prioress, a top position at the abbey and she seems happy with her life. This is a thought-provoking movie that made me think about the thinking behind a person who chooses to leave mainstream society to live a strict and restrictive lifestyle of service in a religious capacity.
However the most confusing aspect of the story of Dolores Hart was that she was engaged to a man, Don Robinson, and left him to become a nun. Robinson continues to visit her regularly and has never married. He seems to still be in love with her. The two are companions and their relationship boggled my mind and made me feel sad. I wondered why some compromise to be of service to others could not be done while also marrying the man she loved and sharing a life as husband and wife.
This is an interesting film that will make you think. If after watching it you are still curious you can find articles and video interviews by doing a simple internet search with the name Dolores Hart.
This movie is suitable for family viewing in my opinion.