Rating: 
Summary: A Warning to Us
Review: This is a great movie. Jane Fonda, Anne Bancroft, and Meg Tilly all played outstanding roles. The supporting cast (e.g., Guy Hoffmann) was brilliant as well. It has all of the elements of a great movie such as humor, a message, drama, suspense, and moving music. This movie is a victory for Religion. God does exist. He (God) chose Agnes to be the next Mary to give birth to Jesus again in preparation for the End Times. Unfortunately, Agnes failed God because she was overwhelmed by the thought of being the Mother of Christ. With supreme folly, Dr. Livingston unknowingly crucified Agnes. Mother Miriam Ruth stood toe to toe and fought hard to stop Dr. Livingston; however, Dr. Livingston got her Pyrrhic victory. Nevertheless, righteousness shall prevail. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Rating:
Summary: Strong Woman Stuff
Review: This is a movie for women who want to see women in strong vibrant rolls. The performances of Jane Fonda, Ann Bangcroft and Meg Tilly are outstanding. The movie leaves several key issues up to the audience to decide what they think, faith or no faith doesn't really matter, the movie is a fantastic and stands by itself.
Rating:
Summary: Unlikely subject soars as Art.
Review: While the theme surrounding AGNES OF GOD (virginal nun giving birth, baby is found murdered) may seem trite (or, even more sadly, of little interest) for modern filmgoers, the movie itself is a triumph of style over substance. Not that there's anything really wrong with John Pielmier's award-winning play or its adaptation for film--in fact, most of it is quite literate. But what elevates the film to near-greatness is the work of Norman Jewison, probably one of America's most underrated directors, and the inspired casting of Jane Fonda and Anne Bancroft, two of the world's great actresses, and the brilliant, Oscar-nominated (and Golden Globe-winning) performance of Meg Tilly as the beset young novice.
Fonda is simply great (though probably miscast) as the psychiatrist trying to unravel the secrets of Agnes and her convent, receiving little help from the Mother Superior (Bancroft, also Oscar-nominated as Best Actress) or her colleagues, who simply want a quick, dismissable verdict to a non "p. c." court case. Fonda's character has some demons of her own to fight along the way (including a church-disavowed abortion and a sister who died in a convent), but so, we find out, does Bancroft's character. The convergence of these events answer some of the questions surrounding the birth, while leaving others appropriately open to speculation (like religion itself).
The direction and cinematography create a real feeling of cloister and serenity, and the lovely music by veteran Georges Delerue also contributes to the haunting effect of the movie. Whatever your views of the topic might be, the movie is a stunning success. Highly recommended for discerning viewers.
| 
