The Trouble with Angels

The story unfolds in the 1960s, a period marked by traditional religious schooling and evolving social norms. Life at the academy underscores formal routines, strict discipline, and a gradual openness to personal growth within a convent setting. The era provides a backdrop for discussions of education reform and the delicate balance between faith and independence. The events trace a coming-of-age arc aligned with the era’s shifts in youth culture and family dynamics.

St. Francis Academy is a Catholic boarding school for girls run by a devoted order of nuns in 1960s Pennsylvania. The campus centers on cloisters, dining halls, and classrooms where discipline blends with moments of spiritual reflection. The school functions as a tight-knit community that shapes the girls’ ambitions, friendships, and understanding of duty. A visit to a local retirement home adds a later layer of perspective on aging and care within the broader community.

🎭 Friendship

Mary and Rachel form a pivotal bond that drives much of the narrative. Their camaraderie motivates them to test boundaries and question routines, while remaining loyal to one another. Through their interactions, the film explores how friendship can catalyze self-discovery and resilience. Their partnership ultimately alters how they relate to the nuns and the school itself.

🌱 Growth

The girls’ mischief and curiosity push them toward personal development and a more nuanced view of authority. Alongside humor, honest conversations and shared experiences encourage maturity. The characters learn to balance independence with belonging, shaping their sense of identity within the convent. Growth here is emotional, spiritual, and relational rather than purely academic.

🕊️ Faith & Compassion

Reverend Mother embodies a disciplined but compassionate leadership style, guiding without stifling. Quiet acts of kindness—such as caring for birds and supporting the girls’ ambitions—reveal a humane core behind strict rules. Sister Ursula’s WWII bravery adds historical weight to the sisters’ vocation, illustrating how faith and memory inform present-day choices. The film frames faith as a lived practice, not just doctrine.

💔 Loss & Mortality

The sudden death of Sister Liguori introduces themes of grief and communal coping. Mary witnesses the emotional impact on the sisters and on Reverend Mother, exposing the fragility of life within the cloistered world. The event prompts reflections on mortality, devotion, and the resilience of the community. It deepens the emotional seriousness that underpins the film’s lighthearted moments.