An Angel at My Table

Based on the autobiographical writings of New Zealand author Janet Frame, director Jane Campion's (Sweetie) second film originally aired as a three-part television series. In the first part, set in the 1920s, we meet the budding writer as a young child: plump, usually dirty, and sporting a sea of frizzy red hair (superbly played by Alexia Keogh). Desperate to please, the young Janet steals money for gum for her fellow classmates, and suffers a humiliating exposure from the teacher. Unpopular, but not necessarily withdrawn, Janet's natural curiosity lands her into trouble more than once, but also eventually leads her to the discovery of poetry. In the second part, an adolescent Janet (played by Karen Fergusson) begins study to become a teacher but, on the suggestion of a professor who has read her disturbing prose, is sent to the hospital for a "rest." Diagnosed schizophrenic, Frame would spend eight years in the hospital, receiving steady electroshock therapy before she was finally declared not schizophrenic after all. Director Campion, who showed an affinity for the darker side of human nature in her earlier film, is on sure ground in the mental hospital, and Janet's hell is portrayed with honesty and compassion, and without gloss. During the latter half of the second part and throughout the final segment, Janet is played by Kerry Fox (the segues between the three actresses is quite remarkable and natural--you have to look twice to realize someone new is playing Janet). Having won a prize for her short story collection while in the hospital, Janet is befriended by a writer who arranges for her "education," a literary junket to Spain. In Spain, Janet's writing flourishes, and she has a headlong summer affair with a visiting American professor, before returning home heartbroken, but locally famous, to New Zealand. Owing to its length and attention to detail, An Angel at My Table really has the feel of a hefty biography. And the creation of a living, breathing Janet Frame, a character comprising three actresses, is nothing short of extraordinary. Winner of over 20 major awards at film festivals worldwide, An Angel at My Table is the triumphant story of a misfit, a woman who persevered in the face of tragedy, and shared her message with the world through the gift of words. Now Campion has extended that message through an exceptional film. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman) [DVD Review—Oct. 4, 2005—Criterion, 158 min., R, $39.95—Making its first appearance on DVD, 1989's An Angel at My Table sports a great looking transfer with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. DVD extras include audio commentary (by director Jane Campion, cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh, and costar Kerry Fox), an 11-minute 'making-of' featurette, six deleted scenes (4 min.), 'My Say'—a 1983 audio interview with autobiography author Janet Frame, a stills gallery, trailers, and a 40-page booklet featuring a new essay by film critic Amy Taubin and excerpts from Frame's autobiography. Bottom line: an excellent extras package for a fine film.] [Blu-ray Review—Aug. 13, 2019—Criterion, 108 min., R, Blu-ray: $39.99—Making its debut on Blu-ray, 1990’s An Angel at My Table features a great transfer with a DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack. Extras include audio commentary by director Jane Campion, cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh, and costar Kerry Fox, a 1983 'My Say' audio interview with author Janet Frame (23 min.), a 2002 'making-of' featurette (11 min.), deleted scenes (3 min.), a stills gallery, and a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Amy Taubin as well as excerpts from Frame’s autobiography. Bottom line: Campion’s powerful autobiographical portrait makes a welcome debut on Blu-ray.]