Watch An Angel at My Table

An Angel at My Table from 1990 is a biographical film based on the life of New Zealand author Janet Frame. It is directed by Jane Campion and stars Kerry Fox, Alexia Keogh, and Karen Fergusson. The movie is divided into three parts, each representing a different stage in Frame's life. The first part is set in her childhood and teenage years, where she is portrayed by Alexia Keogh. Frame is shown as a sensitive and imaginative girl, who is deeply affected by the death of her younger sister. She struggles with social anxiety and shyness and is often misunderstood by her teachers and peers. Her family is poor, and her father is often away from home, which makes her feel isolated and lonely.

The second part of the movie is set in her early adulthood, where she is portrayed by Karen Fergusson. Frame is now a student at a teacher's college, and she struggles with mental health issues. She is diagnosed with schizophrenia and is institutionalized for eight years, during which time she undergoes electroshock therapy. Despite these setbacks, she manages to start writing, and her first book is published while she is still in the hospital.

The final part of the movie is set in her later years, where she is portrayed by Kerry Fox. Frame has become a successful writer, and she travels to Europe and the United States to promote her books. She is no longer troubled by mental illness, but she still struggles with social anxiety and feels like an outsider at social events. She forms close relationships with other writers, including her mentor, Frank Sargeson, and the poet Ruth Dallas.

An Angel at My Table is a beautifully shot and emotionally powerful movie that depicts the life of a remarkable woman. The movie is faithful to Frame's autobiography of the same name, and it captures the essence of her writing and her life. The performances by Alexia Keogh, Karen Fergusson, and Kerry Fox are outstanding, and they all convey different aspects of Frame's personality with sensitivity and nuance.

The movie portrays Frame as a complex and multifaceted person, who struggles with mental illness, but who also possesses a deep sense of creativity and imagination. It explores themes of family, identity, love, and art, and it shows how Frame's writing was influenced by her life experiences. The movie also raises important questions about mental illness and the way society treats people who are diagnosed with it.

Overall, An Angel at My Table is a must-see movie for anyone who is interested in biographical films, New Zealand cinema, or the life and work of Janet Frame. It is a moving and thought-provoking film that celebrates the resilience and creativity of a remarkable woman.

An Angel at My Table is a 1990 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 79.