Annie's Coming Out (A Test of Love) (1984)
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72% of users liked it
(232 ratings)
This emotional true story is about Annie O'Farrell (Tina Arhondis -- who suffered brain damage at birth and as a result was later institutionalized with other children like herself, physically unable to mature past the age of 8 or 9, even though in chronological years they are much older. When… More This emotional true story is about Annie O'Farrell (Tina Arhondis -- who suffered brain damage at birth and as a result was later institutionalized with other children like herself, physically unable to mature past the age of 8 or 9, even though in chronological years they are much older. When therapist Jessica Hathaway (Angela Punch McGregor meets Annie for the first time, her interactions with the girl tell her that she has been misdiagnosed. Convinced that Annie's mind is functioning perfectly well, Jessica runs up against solid opposition from Annie's parents and has to bide her time until the girl reaches the age of 18. At that point, Jessica obtains an injunction to get Annie released from the home -- and begins her own session of therapy. Due to the non-fictional content of the film, the disagreements between Jessica and Annie's parents are sidelined, and, as in many other films of this type, the unusual court battles and subsequent change in the disabled patient are dramatic but not in keeping with the day-to-day reality of patients and clinical staff working to make small steps towards progress -- with never a chance for any miraculous recovery in the vast majority of cases. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Directed By
- Gil Brealey
- Genres
- Drama
PG,
- In Theaters
- Sep 27, 1984 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A pensive Australian drama about work and meaning.
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Cast
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Drew Forsythe
as David Lewis
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Tina Arhondis
as Annie O'Farrell
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Charles 'Bud' Tingwell
as The Judge
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Monica Maughan
as Vera Peters
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Mark Butler
as Dr. John Monroe
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Philippa Baker
as Sister Waterman
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Liddy Clark
as Sally Clements
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Wallace Eaton
as Dr. Rowell
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John Frawley
as Harding
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Alistair Duncan
as Hopgood
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Simon Chilvers
as Metcalf
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Lyn Collingwood
as Mrs. O'Farrell
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Russie Taylor
as Phyllis James
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Pattie Alexeff
as David Carlos
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Maureen Bailey
as Sister-in-Law
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Stewart Bates
as Reporter
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Kim Bilston
as Nurse
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Carl Bleazby
as Bill Hathaway
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Nicky Coghill
as University Girl
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Wayne Cull
as Brother-in-Law
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Laurie Dobson
as Mr. O'Farrell
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Sue Dukic
as Yugoslav Attendant No. 2
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Edgar Michael Bravo
as Young Solicitor
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Dean Gerrity
as Dennis
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Judith Graham
as Mrs. Hathaway
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Craig Hargreaves
as Mark
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Jennifer Hearne
as Mrs. Hathaway's Sister
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Kathy Kerry
as Yugoslav Attendant No. 1
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John Larking
as Crash Driver
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Steven McCarthy
as Philip
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Elaine McKennar
as Nurse
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Esme Melville
as Mrs. Arnold
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Andrea Milner
as Noelene
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Jane Neilson
as Bronwen Jones
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Jeanine O'Donnell
as Nurse
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Julie Parker Benello
as Amanda Pile
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Brett Reynolds
as Timmy
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Matthew Simpson
as Stephen
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Philip Stammers
as Newsman
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Tom Stankovic
as David's Friend
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Ann Sutherland
as Rowell's Secretary
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Catherine Vincenzini
as Elizabeth Potter
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Jenny Jarman Walker
as Nurse
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Jenny Warner
as Rosie Hughes
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Joy Westmore
as Receptionist
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Colin Williams
as Jessica's Brother
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Karen Wise
as Katherine O'Farrell
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James Wright
as Douglas
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Angela Punch McGregor
as Jessica Hathaway
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Ann Morgan
as Jessica's Sister
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Bill Bennett
as Court Clerk
