Customer Reviews

Change of Habit

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

When I was younger anytime my parents or other adults talked about Elvis movies, what came to mind were lame movies with very little plot, structured in a way so Elvis could sing some "new" tunes. My "mama always used to say that" Elvis was a better actor than most people believed, but from watching films like BLUE HAWAII, I thought she was just couldn't face the truth that Elvis couldn't act his way out of a paper bag. After seeing CHANGE OF HABIT (and learning more about how Colonel Parker ran the King's life) I realized my Mom was right, Elvis was a decent actor. It's just that he was never allowed many opportunities to display his talent and grow as an actor. This is unfortunate.

CHANGE OF HABIT is a good movie. It has an interesting plot, most of the characters aren't just paper mache blowing in the wind, and the movie deals with social issues that are still relevant even today. Many people suggest that Mary Tyler Moore is miscast in this film, but I found her believable in her role as a nun. Also, the supporting cast does a good job given their limited screen time.

As is the case in all Elvis' movies, there are tunes. However, unlike the other Elvis' films I have seen, the movie isn't structured around the songs. The songs that you actually see Elvis singing appear more natural than staged and a couple of them are really memorable, e.g. "In the Ghetto".

I haven't seen very many Elvis' films, but out of the ones I have viewed, this is the best. I wish Elvis would have been allowed to make more films like this. He could have ended up being remembered as much for his acting as his singing and that would have really been a change of habit.

This is a truly magnificent movie and represents a change from the racing driver come hotel employee that Elvis usually play. In the opening scene, the King is surrounded by a group of hippies whilst he plays guitar and sings a great song called 'Ruberneckin'.

The title track is an attempts to cash in on the folk scene in the vein of Dylan's 'Blowin in the Wind'.

Elvis playing a doctor is a genius stroke of scriptwriting as is a romantic involvement with a nun (Mary Tyler Moore) who eventually turns away from the Church to be with Elvis.

This film also has a social conscience and like 'Edge of Reality' has a sixties feel about it.

There is something great about this film, I can't put it into words. Maybe it is so bad that it is good, I am not sure.

I would recommend that anyone see this.

While his "new" music, including the very important title "In The Ghetto", was getting good notice across the world, this socially-conscious movie was in release. Unfortunately, the "Made For TV" quality made this respectable effort a minor work, which did showcase strong performances by Presley as an inner city Doctor and by Mary Tyler Moore as a Nun who wants to try a different approach in a complex setting. The music is very agreeable and is well interpolated - dig Elvis on piano ("Lawdy, Miss Clawdy") and singing along with Darlene Love ("Rubberneckin'"). The somewhat non-traditional "Let Us Pray" number might suggest the controversial "gospel rock" of future decades. The difficult physical/spiritual theme warranted more time and attention than was presumeably allowed and perhaps accounts for the film's lesser-known status.

"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 Presley's lame musicals. Elvis remains fascinating to watch and the climactic gospel-rock number is a must-see.

This film is not all that bad. I thought that it was rather nice to see Elvis as a no BS kind of guy that tells the three Nuns about the outs of working in an inner city doctors office. I Think that Elvis was at his best in this film.

It shows Mary Tyler Moore and 2 other ladies as nuns and they try to blend in with the outside world. Just when things start looking up, Mary Tyler Moore winds up in love with Elvis.

This film touches on 2 other subjects.. Rage Tharapy... Working with the little girl... I wonder if there is any truth if that really works. Rape is another touchy subject... I would prescreen this before showing this to younger Elvis fans out there.

Elvis loooked handsome in this one! I could not take my eyes off the screen... He had this look that you could not resist. I thought that this was worth a look... Rent it and see for your own opinion. If you like it... By all means, but it for your collection.

If you love Elvis movies, you'll love this one as well! There isn't much singing in it, so this movie has a more realistic feel to the story than most of Elvis' movies. This movie proves that you don't have to show explicit sexual scenes to have a thought provoking story.

Simply the best acting work he did. A movie that was "happening" for the time. A slice of inner-city history with a sound track that you can tell Elvis was really getting into. These songs are not just fillers for a hurried album. A must have!

...I loved this movie - maybe because I like Mary Tyler Moore? I judge movies based on whether I become uninterested which happens a lot. I never did get bored and wanted to finish watching it. I really enjoyed it. I am not an Elvis fan per se, but he was great in this one. I don't like when he is the playboy. I like this one because he is a doctor and a good guy.

This movie does star Elvis Presley. However, he is really a minor player. Even my 12 yr old son noticed that much. The movie is about the 60's movement to better the humanity in a neighborhood of racial mixes, young people on drugs, & the Banker - the guy who "owns" the neighborhood, preys on those just trying to get by. So we have Sr. Michelle who tries to naively help the troubled youth, Sr. Irene who comes to terms with her ownself as she learns how to beat the Banker & help her people & young Sr. Barbara - the young rebel, who learns how to fight the tough battle while staying in tune with the neighborhood people. Elvis has the role of Dr John Carpenter, a calm voice in a sea of turmoil. He knows there's trouble in the streets, he's there to help those he can, get involved when necessary & help where he can. He doesn't have any illusions of being the superhero. Actually Elvis seems to have walked in off the street onto the movie set he is so lowkeyed. He appears to be having fun, relaxed & even gets to play football. He does sing - 4 songs if you include the title track. One song at the beginning where he & the neighborhood kids are just hanging out & jamming, & one at the end - a gospel song in church. The one in the middle is the kind of movie song he hated to do - he just bursts into song on a carousel, singing to a small girl trying to get her to smile. This is one of my favorite Elvis movies, give it a shot.

This, Elvis' final acting film is probably one of his best and gives the King a serious acting role from the beach movies of a few years previous. The DVD is very clear, but seriously lacking in extras, after all, it is full priced.