The Novices

A young novice named Agnès leaves her convent and travels to Paris, where she forms a bond with a prostitute named Mona Lisa. Facing difficulties finding employment due to her lack of experience, Agnès is encouraged by Mona Lisa to enter the sex trade. The two women eventually operate an ambulance together to attract clients, though their business leads to trouble with the police. This conflict forces them to flee to the countryside before Agnès eventually returns to her religious life, bringing Mona Lisa along with her.

Directed by Guy Casaril, this 1970 comedy and drama was the first of two films he directed, followed by The Beguines in 1972. The movie features Brigitte Bardot as Agnès and Annie Girardot as Mona Lisa, with a supporting cast that includes Jacques Duby, Jean Carmet, Jess Hahn, and Jacques Jouanneau. A joint production between France and Italy, the film was produced by Rizzoli Film and Les Films La Boétie. Audience reception has been lukewarm, as shown by a 5.1 rating on IMDb based on 358 votes and a 4.8 rating on TMDB from 13 votes.