Annie's Coming Out

– It tells the story of a young female social worker who begins work at a hospital for retarded childr..

Type:
Movie
Rating:
6.90 / 10
Duration:
One Hour and 36 Minutes
Release Year:
1984
Annie's Coming Out (1984)

It tells the story of a young female social worker who begins work at a hospital for retarded children, and discovers that some of the psychological problems attributed to these children are incorrectly diagnosed. Proving this to be the case is difficult, however, as it is generally accepted that as those who are 'profoundly retarded' cannot communicate, therefore they cannot think. In the case of Annie O'Farrell (Tina Arhondis), finding a way for her to 'talk', other than speaking or writing, finally shows that she is not only able to think, but is highly intelligent. The battle against the hospital to acknowledge this in a legal sense goes to court, as the psychiatrists try to hide their misdiagnosis.

Producing Country:
Filming Locations:
Genre:
Release Date:

12 Apr 1985

Language:

English

MPAA Content-Rating:
PG – Parental Guidance Suggested

Some material may not be suitable for children. Parents urged to give "parental guidance". May contain some material parents might not like for their young children.

Director:

Gil Brealey

Writer:

John Patterson (screenplay), Chris Borthwick (screenplay), Rosemary Crossley (book), Anne McDonald (book)

Main Actors:

Angela Punch McGregor, Drew Forsythe, Liddy Clark, Monica Maughan

Plot:

In the 1970s, Jessica Hathaway (Angela Punch McGregor) joins the staff of Brentwood Hospital, a government facility for handicapped children in Melbourne, Australia. One of her patients is Annie O'Farrell (Tina Arhondis), whose cerebral palsy has kept her institutionalized since the age of 3. Convinced the girl, now 13, has been misdiagnosed as legally retarded, Jessica teaches her to communicate through a Ouija board in this true story about the fight to free Annie from institutional care.

Awards:

5 wins & 4 nominations.

Ratings:
Internet Movie Database:
7.0/10