Bonus: Cabrini (2024)
Summary
Cabrini (2024) is the newest movie release from the faith-based Angel Studios. Set in the late 19th century, this biography covers the part of the life of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, an Italian nun who turned New York upside down in her mission to open an orphanage and bring to light the plight of Italian immigrants.
Assessment
This movie has a timeless quality that shines a brilliant, warm spotlight on American’s first saint. This era of the United States was marked by both incredible growth and significant turmoil as nearly 2 million Italian immigrants settled into the country. These immigrants were often treated horribly, and Italian orphans were typically forced to live in the sewers and storm drains beneath the city streets. Cabrini, who steps into New York with her eyes on a future “empire of hope”, starts with one small, rundown orphanage in the worst part of town. From there she networks her way through the city — standing against anti-woman and anti-Italian decrees from both the Church and the city’s mayor — to provide for her children and fellow immigrants.
Cabrini is undaunted, sure of her mission, and confident that she will be able to achieve the goals that have been set before her, whether it is transforming a broken, rat-infested orphanage into a thriving home for less fortunate children. Through this, she is an excellent example of both faith, Christlike love, and Biblical femininity. At no point does she try to “become a man” to get the job done, she stands her ground as a servant of God and a woman on borrowed time.
Light-o-Meter
Writing: 5 out of 7 Little Lights
Filmmaking: 6 out of 7 Little Lights
Acting: 6 out of 7 Little Lights
Cleanliness: Brief intense violence, references to prostitution, a single English curse word (that I caught), and many outdated but highly racist terms.
Theological Message: 5 out of 7 Little Lights
Overall: 6 out of 7 Little Lights
Talk
I thoroughly loved this movie! The cinematography was beautiful, taking many notes from classic Italian architecture and traditional Catholic artwork. The costuming and set design were just about flawless, immersing the audience in whatever part of the 19th century — the upper neighborhoods and the lower hovels — the characters are in. And, to top everything off, the acting is amazing. Cristiana Dell'Anna, who played Cabrini, brought the character to life in a truly beautiful and well-crafted way.
Cabrini is one of the best depictions of Biblical femininity I have ever seen in media. She is ambitious, driven, orderly, and secure in both herself and her mission. She cares for even the least of the children with unutterable kindness and mercy, and she is not afraid to make herself a problem to those who are trying to stop her. At no point in the movie does she try to “become a man” like so many “strong female heroes” do in modern media. She’s also wily and intelligent, navigating the awful situations around her with cunning that doesn’t feel forced or put her in a “Mary Sue” kind of category. She moves the world; the world does not move around her.
My two complaints about the movie are relatively minor: First, I would have preferred it to be a bit more theologically dense, although the love of Christ is clear to see in it without direct quotes from Scripture every few scenes. It does, however, make the movie feel a bit restrained. The opportunities to circle a line of dialogue or an action back towards God were plain as day, but not taken in favor of a slightly more neutral presentation of the actions. However, the movie does take advantage of the opportunities where it really matters.
Tangentially related to that, the final scene ends on a note that feels very tinged with modern feminism, which is a bit of a break from the timeless tone of the movie. The ending quote is supposed to be a punchy, “girl power!” kind of memorable, but to me it falls flat when compared to the rich, Biblical femininity of the movie. I have spoken to other women who interpret it in more of a Biblical context, so this is definitely just my own perspective. And, however it is interpreted, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the movie one bit (I’ve already seen it twice!).
Speaking of quotes, however, this movie does have many, MANY great ones, including, but not limited to:
“The world is not big enough for what I intend to do.”
“We can serve our weakness or we can serve our purpose. Not both.”
“As the mother says: we’ll get plenty of rest in Heaven.””
“I believe I’m being threatened...by a nun.””
Wrap-up
The latest film release from Angel Studios is a breathtaking biography of America’s first saint, Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini. This film captures her essence and undefeated determination as she turns a hostile New York on its ears, bringing to light the lives of the less fortunate and the downtrodden. Though this movie is just a snapshot of part of her life, it is the beginning of a global empire of hope, a hope we can hold onto, even more than a century later.
Where to Enjoy
See Cabrini in theaters today!
May 2024 update: You can preorder Cabrini on DVD at Cabrini DVD or Blu-ray - PREORDER – Angel Studios Gift Factory
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