Annie's Coming Out ( A Test of Love )

Annie's Coming Out (DVD) (*)

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Original Title: A Test of Love
Screened, competed or awarded at:
Australian Film Institute
Montreal World Film Festival

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )

Product Origin/Format:
Australia ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
89 min

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Commentary
Interactive Menu
Photo Gallery
Scene Access

Movie filmed in 1984 and produced in:
Australia ( Australia, New Zealand )

Directed By:
Gil Brealey

Written By:
Chris Borthwick
Rosemary Crossley

Actors:
Angela Punch McGregor ..... Jessica Hathaway
Drew Forsythe ..... David
Liddy Clark ..... Sally Clements
Monica Maughan ..... Vera Peters
Philippa Baker ..... Sister Waterman
Tina Arhondis ..... Annie O'Farrell
Mark Butler ..... Doctor John Monroe
John Frawley ..... Harding
Wallas Eaton ..... Dr. Rowell
Lyn Collingwood ..... Mrs. O'Farrell
Laurie Dobson ..... Mr O'Farrell
Carl Bleazby ..... Bill Hathaway
Esme Melville ..... Mrs. Arnold
Judith Graham ..... Mrs. Hathaway
Alistair Duncan ..... Hopgood

Synopsis:

This emotional true story is about Annie O'Farrell (Tina Arhondis - who suffered brain damage at birth and as a result was later institutionalized with other children like herself, physically unable to mature past the age of 8 or 9, even though in chronological years they are much older. When therapist Jessica Hathaway (Angela Punch McGregor meets Annie for the first time, her interactions with the girl tell her that she has been misdiagnosed. Convinced that Annie's mind is functioning perfectly well, Jessica runs up against solid opposition from Annie's parents and has to bide her time until the girl reaches the age of 18. At that point, Jessica obtains an injunction to get Annie released from the home - and begins her own session of therapy. Due to the non-fictional content of the film, the disagreements between Jessica and Annie's parents are sidelined, and, as in many other films of this type, the unusual court battles and subsequent change in the disabled patient are dramatic but not in keeping with the day-to-day reality of patients and clinical staff working to make small steps towards progress - with never a chance for any miraculous recovery in the vast majority of cases.

Based on the book by Rosemary Crossley and Anne McDonald, Annie's Coming Out is the captivating true story of 13 year-old Annie (Tina Arhondis), who suffers the debilitation and stigma associated with cerebral palsy and has been institutionalised from an early age due to her inability to communicate with the outside world. Angela Punch McGregor gives an AFI Award winning performance as therapist Jessica Hathaway who learns to communicate with Annie using an alphabet board. Jessica comes to believe that although physically disabled, Annie is not intellectually impaired. When Annie turns 18, Jessica begins a formidable legal fight to open people's eyes and hearts to Annie's plight and ultimately get her released from the darkness and despair of life in a government run institution. Winner of three AFI awards including Best Picture and Best Screenplay, Annie's Coming Out is a testament to one woman's dedicated belief and a heartfelt story of the triumph of the human spirit against all odds.

Annie O'Farrell (based on Anne McDonald) is a 13 year old girl with cerebral palsy who is unable to communicate and has been living in a government institution from an early age. Jessica Hathaway (based on Rosemary Crossley) is a therapist who learns to communicate with Annie using an alphabet board and comes to believe that although physically disabled, Annie is not intellectually impaired. When Annie turns 18, Jessica begins a legal fight to get her released.

This product was added to our catalog on Friday 17 December, 2010.

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