Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)
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A Las Vegas showgirl returns to her old high school to help save it from closure by turning the students into a choir.
The story
One year after the events of the first film, Deloris Van Cartier is a headliner in Las Vegas. She is visited by Sisters Mary Robert, Mary Patrick, and Mary Lazarus, who convince her to return to her old high school, St. Francis High School in San Francisco. The Reverend Mother asks Deloris to resume her identity as Sister Mary Clarence and become the school's music teacher. Deloris reluctantly agrees to help turn the struggling school around. Upon arriving, she finds the students are unmotivated, but she soon discovers they are talented singers and begins organizing them into a choir to save the school from financial troubles.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Deloris Van Cartier, a Las Vegas showgirl, is persuaded by three sisters to return to St. Francis High School in San Francisco to become a music teacher and save the school from closure. She takes on the identity of Sister Mary Clarence. While the school administrator, Mr. Crisp, wants to close the school for early retirement, Deloris discovers the students' musical talent and forms a choir. She manages to win over a talented but rebellious student, Rita Louise Watson, by encouraging her passion for singing. The school renovates its music room and performs a successful assembly. The sisters discover old trophies showing the school's past musical glory and decide to enter the All-State Music Competition in Hollywood. Despite objections from Father Maurice and the threat of Rita's mother, Florence, who forbids her from singing, the choir prepares. On the eve of the competition, Rita forges her mother's signature to participate. At the competition, Deloris inspires the intimidated students to perform. Rita gives a stunning solo, followed by an urban contemporary gospel rendition of 'Joyful, Joyful.' St. Francis wins the competition, ensuring the school stays open. Mr. Crisp is prevented from outing Deloris's true identity, and Rita is finally reconciled with her mother, who expresses pride in her daughter's talent.
- First release year
- 1993
- Runtime (minutes)
- 107
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Bill Duke
- Writers
- James Orr · writer; Jim Cruickshank · writer; Judi Ann Mason · writer
- Cast and characters
- Whoopi Goldberg · Deloris Van Cartier; Kathy Najimy · reprises her role; James Coburn; Maggie Smith · reprises her role; Lauryn Hill · breakout role; Sheryl Lee Ralph · Florence Watson; Alanna Ubach; Jennifer Love Hewitt
- Genres
- musical comedy; children's; comedy
- Themes
- Faith; Education; Music as Redemption; Identity
- Tone and mood
- Musical; Comedy; Uplifting; Sentimental
- Premise and plot tags
- Sequel; Musical; Comedy; School; Religious
- Source material / true-story basis
- Loosely based on the life of Crenshaw High School choir instructor Iris Stevenson
- Franchise connections
- Sister Act
- Reception
- Initially panned by critics for being less compelling than its predecessor, the film gained a devoted following over time, becoming a cult classic. It is praised for its energetic musical performances and its cultural impact on diversity and gospel music.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 19% · review count: 36; Metacritic · score: 38% · review count: 23
- Production trivia
- The film inspired the creation of nearly thirty choirs in Japan.; The music video for 'Shake It Off' by Taylor Swift references the film during the end credits.; The film's 'Joyful, Joyful' scene was reenacted in an episode of the comedy series Broad City.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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