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Masterpiece Movies

Agnes of God

Review By Shamma M. Raghib

Running Time: 98 min.
Cast: Jane Fonda, Meg TIlly, Anne Bancroft, Gratien Gelinas, Winston Rekert, Anne Pitoniak, Guy Hoffman, Gabriel Arcand
Director: Norman Jewison
Screenplay: John Pielmeier (adapted from his play)
MPAA Rated: PG-13 for language and some disturbing images
Campus Rating: 5.6/10

Mysteries are what evolve around this 1985 Drama. The small mystery involves whether or not a young nun, Sister Agnes (TIlly), was responsible for the killing of her newborn baby, which was found strangled and left in a wastepaper basket in her bedroom. The big mystery is just how Agnes became pregnant to begin with was it by a man or through miracles?

The the-then young Jane Fonda plays Dr. Martha Livingston, a court-appointed psychiatrist out to unravel if Agnes is capable of standing trial for committing such a heinous deed, which proves especially difficult since Agnes does not really understand the fundamental elements of reproduction, cannot understand or remember much about how she became pregnant, how the baby died, or even really whether or not she had a baby to begin with. With assistance from another nun Miriam (Bancroft), Martha wrestles with her own problems, mostly stemming from a bad childhood that drove her from the church to becoming an atheist. As Martha delves deeper, she begins to wonder as to whether this is a cut-and-dried case, or if divine forces are at play.

Agnes of God put up a very strong performance by Meg Tilly and Anne Bancroft, which won them Academy Award nominations. A Golden Globe award for TIlly's performance is also worth mentioning. Agnes of God is a powerful drama and intriguing mystery worth viewing for some interesting food for thought, as well as some very fine performances. Is it worth your time? Well, if you are not too busy cooking up false mobile hoaxes, then yes, it's worth your time.