Enjoy!
An Angel At My Table (1990)
Director: Jane Campion
Writer: Laura Jones
Producer: Bridget Ikin
Stars: Kerry Fox, Alexia Keogh, Karen Fergusson
Dame Jane Campion, 2014 Cannes Jury President and twice winner of the Palme d'Or, brings to the screen the harrowing true-life story of Janet Frame, New Zealand's most distinguished author.
This striking film has become a well-deserved classic. It traces the life of author Janet Frame, from her childhood as an outsider in a comfortable family, through the awkwardness of adolescence and young-adulthood. Painfully shy, she finds socializing painful. When she freezes under the glare of a school inspector during her first job as a teacher, a series of doctors misdiagnose her as schizophrenic, sending her on a torturous journey through New Zealand’s arcane mental health system.
Two-hundred electro-shock treatments later, she is released and wins a grant to study overseas, and in Spain, she finds a community amidst a group of artists and writers. Destined to always be a little odd, she becomes more comfortable with life and her role in it, and her creativity flourishes.
Simply told with a quiet beauty, this is a wholly absorbing film that will capture you from its very first moments and never let you go. Its focus on the details of a single life make it a compelling and absorbing journey.
I re-watched this in 2015 for the first time since I saw it at a film festival in the early 1990s and was surprised how much I enjoyed it - and how much I had forgotten. I was also surprised at how little time was spent on the mental hospital scenes because I remembered them being much more significant and harrowing.
My husband's brother had EST and he was never the same. I'm sure in qualified & modern hands it has its uses, but I bet it laid waste to many lives in earlier times. Sounds like a cool film. Reminds me of that Temple Grandin film (autism). That was an excellent one. :)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't imagine living through the emotional trauma of a mental health mis-diagnosis. How truly truly awful. I can well understand how this would be a film with enormous impact. Thanks for this post; it gives a clear and concise review!
ReplyDeleteJane Campion creates such beautiful films. I need to track this one down!
ReplyDeleteits nice
ReplyDeletehttp://www.melodyjacob.com/
Shock treatments, scary. That poor woman. Being so shy is always treated as "weird"...
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this movie but Jane Campion is so talented I've no doubt it is a good one. It's sad and frightening to think about these shock treatments.
ReplyDeleteI've worked in mental health for years --so glad this film was made
ReplyDeleteTruly interesting!!!
ReplyDeleteThis will certainly be interesting, being immersed in the films of a country that doesn't often get exposure here in the States...
ReplyDeleteI'd say I've never heard of this movie, but I expect that will be true of all 26 movies you feature, Kate. I look forward to being educated on New Zealand's film history. This one sounds a bit harrowing, but interesting nevertheless.
ReplyDeleteI love your theme. I am always looking for new films to see and I know nothing about New Zealand films. I know the Lord of the Rings films were made there, but beyond that, not much else. I can't wait to see what you come up with when we get to letters like X. This is great.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful theme. I don't watch a lot of movies these days, but this sounds so interesting. I love that you'll be giving us a peek at New Zealand films!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great theme! I lived in New Zealand for five years, so this is of particular interest to me.
ReplyDeleteCheers - Ellen | http://thecynicalsailor.blogspot.com/2016/04/b-is-for-boatyard-nancy-drew.html
I like your theme. I'm not familiar with many NZ films so this will be a real treat.
ReplyDeleteThat poor woman. Having to endure shock treatments and other horrors. I'm glad she is able to find some measure of happiness/success in the end. Interesting theme!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great theme for the challenge, I love learning about films that aren't from the USA or UK.
ReplyDeleteAngel at My Table is actually on my to-watch list as I'm taking part in the #52FilmsByWomen challenge this year :)
Good luck with the rest of the challenge!
My theme for the A-Z Challenge is my favourite fictional characters at ElenaSquareEyes.