Cinema
Annie's Coming Out
Gil Brealey · 1984
Synopsis
Annie O'Farrell, thirteen, who has cerebral palsy, can neither speak nor control her movements; since early childhood she has lived in a state institution, where she is wrongly held to be intellectually disabled. A therapist, Jessica Hathaway, manages to communicate with her by means of a letter board and becomes convinced that Annie has all her intelligence. When the girl reaches eighteen, Jessica begins a court battle to have her released from the institution.
Context
The film adapts the book that Rosemary Crossley published in 1980, with the help of Anne McDonald according to the sources; the screenplay is by Chris Borthwick and John Patterson, and Film Australia produced it. Angela Punch McGregor plays Jessica Hathaway, Tina Arhondis plays Annie. It was released on 27 September 1984 in Australia, then in the United Kingdom, and in March 1985 in the United States under the title A Test of Love. David Stratton praised its restraint, while finding the character drawn from Rosemary Crossley embellished.
Who it is for
An Australian film in English, restrained, about disability and institutionalisation, based on a true story.
Prizes and reception
AFI Awards for best film, adaptation and female performance in 1984; ecumenical jury prize in Montreal.
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