Watch Annie's Coming Out

Annie's Coming Out is a powerful and uplifting Australian drama that tells the story of Annie, a young girl with cerebral palsy who's been institutionalized for most of her life. The movie follows Annie's journey as she fights for her freedom and advocates for others like her, who are often marginalized and ignored by society. Set in 1970s Australia, Annie's Coming Out opens with Annie's arrival at the Wallaby Hill Institute, a sprawling facility where children with disabilities are sent to live. At first, Annie is fearful and withdrawn, but she soon finds comfort in the spirited friendship of fellow patient Jan (played by Liddy Clark) and the compassionate care of Dr. Campbell (Drew Forsythe). However, Annie grows increasingly disillusioned with the stifling routines and lack of opportunities at the institute, and she becomes determined to break free and reclaim her independence.

Annie's quest for freedom is complicated by the fact that her mother (Angela Punch McGregor) has signed legal papers committing Annie to the institute for life. But with the help of a dedicated lawyer named Lee (Kevin Miles), Annie embarks on a legal and emotional fight to be released and reunited with her family.

Throughout the movie, Annie's remarkable spirit and resilience are on full display, as she navigates the challenges of daily life at the institute, endures painful medical treatments, and confronts the ableist attitudes of some of the staff and doctors. Her close bond with Jan, who has also been institutionalized since birth, is a particular source of strength and inspiration, as the two girls share a deep and unbreakable bond that transcends their disabilities.

One of the most striking aspects of Annie's Coming Out is its unflinching portrayal of the pervasive ableism and lack of resources that people with disabilities faced in Australia (and many other countries) during the 1970s. From the outdated and sometimes cruel medical treatments to the institutionalized isolation of patients, the movie shows how deeply entrenched and normalized these attitudes were at the time, and how much work was still needed to achieve true inclusion and equality.

At the same time, Annie's Coming Out is also a deeply human and engaging drama, full of well-drawn characters and poignant moments of humor and tenderness. McGregor's performance as Annie's mother is particularly notable, as she struggles to reconcile her love for her daughter with her fear and ignorance about her disability. The bond between Annie and Dr. Campbell, played with grace and warmth by Forsythe, is also a highlight, as he grows emotionally attached to his patient and learns to see her as a whole person, rather than just a medical problem to be solved.

All in all, Annie's Coming Out is a moving and inspiring movie that tells a story that's still sadly relevant today. Its themes of advocacy, disability rights, and the power of community and personal agency are as urgent and important now as they were in 1984, and its message of hope and resilience is one that will resonate with viewers of all ages and backgrounds.