Rating: 
Summary: Genius in the Family
Review: A unique and original work from a gifted film artist. It tells the story of Janet Frame, one of New Zealand's most important writers. The film follows Janet's life from the time she's a small girl in school, trying to buy friends with candy, to the adult, painfully shy introvert played by Kerry Fox. It is an insightful look at the life of a woman who finally learns to appreciate herself. Remarkable.
Rating: 
Summary: Touching and Memorable Indeed
Review: An autobiography of a self-made New Zealand lady novelist. The struggle of her family with life is touching and how she distinguished herself from her peers and her sisters is memorable. So her life changed with the inspiration and encouragement of her teacher who introduced her to poetry. But life wasn't easy for her even after her initial success... Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Stunning, hauntingly brilliant.
Review: As a writer I can clearly understand the world Janet Frame lived in growing up. I myself was sent to a shrink for being a writer as well as for being shy and introverted. However, this is an outstanding drama of human proportions. It echoes forthcoming images of what Campion did with "The Piano" three years after she made this film. The life of Janet Frame is beautifully realized from her youthful days with a lower-class family, suffering heartbreak, loss, labeled as insane, and finding ultimate redemption in her talent as a writer. The film explores both her personal and social conflicts as well as with the men who changed her life and stirred her emotions. Very few writers and directors can ever tell a story so vividly real and powerful as Campion and Laura Jones have done here. It should offer hope and strength to those who have great dreams of success in this life yet feel mowed down by overnight sensations and those who threaten to tear down their goals. The music score adds to the emotion this film evokes. The world of a writer was never more stunningly pictured than how it is here. I highly recommend this film, especially to my fellow writers out there in this world. It is a gem of a film from one of the most gifted writers and directors our movie industry has ever known.
Rating:
Summary: AN ANGEL AT MY TABLE
Review: Based on the autobiographies of Janet Frame. And from director Jane Campion (The Piano) This is a wonderful portrait of the New Zealand author. Who was misdiagnosed as schizophrenic, she endured numerous treaments of electric shock therapy (over 200!) Spent eight traumatic years in a mental institution. And came very close to having a lobotomy! It would be years before she would find the diagnosis of schizophrenia was wrong. This movie examines Janet's early life to adulthood. A very hard childhood hampered by poverty. And many tragedies. Her older sister, Myrtle, drowned when Janet was young. One of her other sisters Isabel died (also by drowning!) when Janet was in college. And her older brother suffered from epilesy. In a time when there was not more they could do about it. He often had seizures, made him a vulnerable target for bullies at school, and it left him unfit for most work. And Janet herself suffered with terribly painful decaying teeth, she had to have ALL of them pulled at a very young age. After her thankful release from the hospital she then went on a trip, first to England then to Spain. Where she met a young American poet, who she would formed her first relationship with. It is a long film, but don't let that discourage you. There is never a dull moment. It's a facinating story. It's visually beautiful. Filled with tragedy but also funny and wonderfully touching moments. And the performances are fabulous. About an incredible woman who wasn't schizophrenic...just "different" It's always remained one of my favorite films, the kind I can watch over and over.
Rating:
Summary: AN ANGEL AT MY TABLE
Review: Based on the autobiographies of Janet Frame. And from director Jane Campion (The Piano) This is a wonderful portrait of the New Zealand author. Who was misdiagnosed as schizophrenic, she endured numerous treaments of electric shock therapy (over 200!) Spent eight traumatic years in a mental institution. And came very close to having a lobotomy! It would be years before she would find the diagnosis of schizophrenia was wrong. This movie examines Janet's early life to adulthood. A very hard childhood hampered by poverty. And many tragedies. Her older sister, Myrtle, drowned when Janet was young. One of her other sisters Isabel died (also by drowning!) when Janet was in college. And her older brother suffered from epilesy. In a time when there was not more they could do about it. He often had seizures, made him a vulnerable target for bullies at school, and it left him unfit for most work. And Janet herself suffered with terribly painful decaying teeth, she had to have ALL of them pulled at a very young age. After her thankful release from the hospital she then went on a trip, first to England then to Spain. Where she met a young American poet, who she would formed her first relationship with. It is a long film, but don't let that discourage you. There is never a dull moment. It's a facinating story. It's visually beautiful. Filled with tragedy but also funny and wonderfully touching moments. And the performances are fabulous. About an incredible woman who wasn't schizophrenic...just "different" It's always remained one of my favorite films, the kind I can watch over and over.
Rating:
Summary: Others as well, and as heart touching.
Review: During the early 1990's, I was doing research into mental illness and Schizophrenia. This film is brilliant. I've viewed it at least three times. The confusion in Janet Frame's life proves that her, and all humans, willpower is triumphant. Little more is known now, as to the causes of mental illness. I also viewed Benny & Joon, Shine, Angel Baby, Awakenings, and Slingblade. More films about the unravelling of one's reality, but not necessarily mental illness, include... Crash, Moonstruck, Mask, Different for Girls, Like Water for Chocolate, Men Don't Leave, Ma Vie En Rose = *My Life in Pink*, Beautiful Life, Maurice, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, Angels & Insects, and William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet, with Claire Danes! Most of the detainees, or clients of the mental health system fight courageously against all manners of inner and outer torments. I own a well read copy of 'Surviving Schizophrenia' -I was given an out of print discarded library copy by a friend of my mother.
Rating:
Summary: Others as well, and as heart touching.
Review: During the early 1990's, I was doing research into mental illness and Schizophrenia. This film is brilliant. I've viewed it at least three times. The confusion in Janet Frame's life proves that her, and all humans, willpower is triumphant. Little more is known now, as to the causes of mental illness. I also viewed Benny & Joon, Shine, Angel Baby, Awakenings, and Slingblade. More films about the unravelling of one's reality, but not necessarily mental illness, include... Crash, Moonstruck, Mask, Different for Girls, Like Water for Chocolate, Men Don't Leave, Ma Vie En Rose = *My Life in Pink*, Beautiful Life, Maurice, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, Angels & Insects, and William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet, with Claire Danes! Most of the detainees, or clients of the mental health system fight courageously against all manners of inner and outer torments. I own a well read copy of 'Surviving Schizophrenia' -I was given an out of print discarded library copy by a friend of my mother.
Rating:
Summary: THIS MOVIE IS BRILLIANT
Review: I cant believe how excellent this low budget release is. It really captures human emotions and the acting is beyond superb. AFI ignored it but I sure as hell did not. I appreciate good movies for what they are and what they stand for and An Angel At My Table is just brilliant. See it.
Rating:
Summary: Touching...Breathtaking...Heavy...
Review: I've always been a fan of Janet Frame's poetry. This film is an incredible glimpse into a brilliant woman's mind and life. Once you see this film she'll live in your heart forever.
I also recomend reading her books. She's got a special gift. I wish this would come out on DVD...!
Rating:
Summary: Stunning
Review: Not stunning as in beautiful. . . stunning as in feeling like it's hard to breathe; as in the almost painful shock of watching the tragedies and the miracles spill over one another. Picking up the video was a happy accident. I had never heard of Janet Frame nor of the actress, Kerry Fox. Now I plan to read everything Janet Frame ever wrote and to see whatever else is available with Kerry Fox or by Jane Campion.
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