| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Jane Fonda | ... | ||
| Anne Bancroft | ... | ||
| Meg Tilly | ... | ||
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Anne Pitoniak | ... |
Dr. Livingston's Mother
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Winston Rekert | ... |
Detective Larry Langevin
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Gratien Gélinas | ... |
Father Martineau
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Guy Hoffmann | ... |
Justice Joseph Leveau
(as Guy Hoffman)
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| Gabriel Arcand | ... |
Monsignor
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Françoise Faucher | ... |
Eve LeClaire
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Jacques Tourangeau | ... |
Eugène Lyon
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Janine Fluet | ... |
Sister Marguerite
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Deborah Grover | ... |
Sister Anne
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Michele George | ... |
Sister Susanna
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Samantha Langevin | ... |
Sister Jeannine
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Jacqueline Blais | ... |
Sister David Marie
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At a convent, fragile, unearthly Sister Agnes gives birth, but the child dies and Agnes retains no memory of the event. The police soon are involved because of the death of the baby. However, the main conflict is between Mother Superior Miriam Ruth, who wants Agnes left alone, and Dr. Martha Livingston, a psychiatrist determined to help Agnes gain a stronger grasp on reality and uncover any wrongdoers. Written by Reid Gagle
The incredible performance by Meg Tilly is what makes this movie repeatedly watchable. She seems almost possessed by this role and entirely believable. She makes the innocent, spiritual and fantasy like world that this strange young nun lives in, appealing. One can find yourself almost being envious of the purity of the world that Agnes experiences. The performances of Jane Fonda and Anne Bancroft are also very good. The debate and tension that flows between them is interesting as each forces the other to take a deeper look at themselves, their pasts and to confront the reasons for their chosen paths in life. Also these women represent the two sides of one of the main dilemmas in the film and the one that we the viewers are left to wrestle with. Is Agnes better off in her cloistered, innocent world where Mother Miriam wants to keep her or would it be better for her to become more aware of the realities of the outside world with all it's diversity and possibilities that Doctor Martha Livingston thinks she should know. The tension between these two characters is not without it's humorous moments as well. It's never easy for a psychological drama to have to sort out the inner darkness of a troubled individual in the course of a two hour film but this one does better than most. Those that need answers spelled out plain, simple and clear cut are of course frustrated by the ending but enough is presented here to allow one to draw conclusions and yet leave room for thought and speculation, which makes for a far more compelling way to part from a story.