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A Test of Love

PG 1985 1h 33m Drama List
Tomatometer 1 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
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.

Critics Reviews

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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice A pensive Australian drama about work and meaning. Rated: 3/5 Aug 22, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (4) audience reviews
jim n I found this Australian film to be extremely moving. in Australia the film and the book it was based on is called Annie's Coming Out. I was so affected by the young girl Tina's performance as Annie that I end up contacting the real Annie and we corresponded for a while before her death. Unfortunately, a Test of Love is only available in the US on used VHS. I love this film. And to correct the film's description - Annie was taught to communicate using what might be called a letter board - NOT a Ouija board! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/24/23 Full Review Audience Member Great film, though it leaves out quite a lot of the more horrific bits that are described in the book, and also of course a lot less detail. It's horrible to realise that these things happened in a "civilised" country in my lifetime. The only good thing is that at least Anne got to escape (she is still doing very well - she has her own website) Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member While another one for school, this was still good. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Where is the borderline for being healthy and being mentally retarded? How many people are locked away with ailments that have not been recognised to date? Based on a true story, this film really gives you cause to sit back and think! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews
A Test of Love

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis 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.
Director
Gil Brealey
Producer
Don Murray
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 33m