A monastery located in the heart of London's Notting Hill, Michael Whyte's documentary reveals the passionate dedication of those still willing to give their lives to God.
The subject matter for documentaries is often peculiar, strange, something alien to the modern audience. Whyte's No Greater Love examines something which has been rooted in Western culture for centuries, and yet, the finished article has become something extraordinary. His rare opportunity to catch of glimpse inside a working nunnery is truly, excuse the pun, blessed, and the images that he captures, the insular habitat of God's faithful, seems like a far a documentary about a distant tribe, something completely out of sync with today's Britain.
Remarkably, Whyte manages to film most of the documentary in silence, in keeping with the silence that the nuns uphold throughout all of the day, apart from two periods of recreation. Furthermore, the film contains no presenter or narration to guide the viewer, with only several interviews with selected nuns to break the void. It is a truly astonishing method to undertake, and for those willing to undergo the 105 minutes of peace and contemplation, you may find a sense of contentment comes over you.
The structure of the film follows a day in the life of the nuns, as well as a year in the life, which works well to impress upon the viewer the strict vocation that life as a nun involves.
If your favourite film is Bad Boys, and your second favourite film is Bad Boys II, this may not be for you. The enjoyment comes from within.
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