Last time this ran, I wrote: “Jane Campion’s An Angel at My Table (1990), a film based on the autobiographical work of New Zealand writer Janet Frame, is like many of Campion’s films: a tale of the indomitability of the human spirit. In this case, that spirit resides in Janet Frame (Kerry Fox), a painfully shy, withdrawn young woman, whose oddness caused her to be misdiagnosed as schizophrenic, resulting in her confinement in a mental hospital. The truth is that she wasn’t schizophrenic at all, and would emerge from the experience to go on to write novels, plays and poetry. Her story is a fascinating one, as is the film that houses it. Campion’s film is broken into three parts—following Frame’s autobiography—each detailing a period in Frame’s life. Similarly, the role of Frame is handled by three actresses: Kerry Fox (adult), Alexia Keogh (adolescent) and Karen Ferguson (teenage). This device works extraordinarily well, and it’s virtually impossible not to accept that the three are the same person at different ages. However, the device is not the only thing that works.”
Full review: http://avl.mx/tt
Classic World Cinema by Courtyard Gallery will present An Angel at My Table Friday, May 31, at 8 p.m. at Phil Mechanic Studios, 109 Roberts St., River Arts District (upstairs in the Railroad Library). Info: 273-3332, www.ashevillecourtyard.com
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.