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Within These Walls

  • TV Movie
  • 20012001
  • TV-14TV-14
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
264
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Within These Walls (2001)
  • Drama
Imprisoned after a drug arrest and bitter from a life marred by tragedy, Joan Thomas wants nothing to do with the world around her. But when a nun with a tragic past invites Joan to particip... Read allImprisoned after a drug arrest and bitter from a life marred by tragedy, Joan Thomas wants nothing to do with the world around her. But when a nun with a tragic past invites Joan to participate in an inmate rehabilitation program-training dogs to care for the handicapped-she expe... Read allImprisoned after a drug arrest and bitter from a life marred by tragedy, Joan Thomas wants nothing to do with the world around her. But when a nun with a tragic past invites Joan to participate in an inmate rehabilitation program-training dogs to care for the handicapped-she experiences the freeing power of unconditional love for the first time. Based on the story of ... Read all
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
264
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Mike Robe
  • Writer
    • Robert J. Avrech
  • Stars
    • Ellen Burstyn
    • Laura Dern
    • LaTanya Richardson Jackson
Top credits
  • Director
    • Mike Robe
  • Writer
    • Robert J. Avrech
  • Stars
    • Ellen Burstyn
    • Laura Dern
    • LaTanya Richardson Jackson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 10User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations

    Photos

    Maria Herrera and Laura Dern on the set of Within these Walls
    Maria Herrera and Ellen Burstyn on the set of Within these Walls
    Laura Dern and Ellen Burstyn in Within These Walls (2001)
    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ellen Burstyn
    Ellen Burstyn
    • Joan Thomasas Joan Thomas
    Laura Dern
    Laura Dern
    • Sister Pauline Quinnas Sister Pauline Quinn
    LaTanya Richardson Jackson
    LaTanya Richardson Jackson
    • Melinda Donovanas Melinda Donovan
    Maria Herrera
    Maria Herrera
    • Leda Cervantesas Leda Cervantes
    Lucinda Davis
    Lucinda Davis
    • Elizaas Eliza
    Karen Glave
    Karen Glave
    Lynne Adams
    Lynne Adams
    Tony Calabretta
    Tony Calabretta
    • Kellyas Kelly
    Kristin Fairlie
    Kristin Fairlie
    • Emilyas Emily
    Eve Crawford
    • Sister Katherineas Sister Katherine
    Marium Carvell
    Marium Carvell
    • Eliza's Motheras Eliza's Mother
    Walter Alza
    Walter Alza
    • Titoas Tito
    Alison Darcy
    • Mirandaas Miranda
    Danette Mackay
    • Emily's Motheras Emily's Mother
    • (as Danette MacKay)
    Tim Progosh
    Tim Progosh
    • Emily's Fatheras Emily's Father
    Suzanna Lenir
    Suzanna Lenir
    • Humane Society Volunteeras Humane Society Volunteer
    Ingrid Veninger
    • Prison Dealeras Prison Dealer
    John Maclaren
    John Maclaren
    • Veterinarianas Veterinarian
    • Director
      • Mike Robe
    • Writer
      • Robert J. Avrech
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Imprisoned after a drug arrest and bitter from a life marred by tragedy, Joan Thomas wants nothing to do with the world around her. But when a nun with a tragic past invites Joan to participate in an inmate rehabilitation program-training dogs to care for the handicapped-she experiences the freeing power of unconditional love for the first time. Based on the story of Sister Pauline Quinn. —Echo Bridge Home Entertainment
    • dog
    • nun
    • women's prison
    • female prisoner
    • dog training
    • 3 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Hope lives in unlikely places.
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Certificate
      • TV-14
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Suzanna Lenir's debut.

    User reviews10

    Review
    Top review
    Enjoyable TV-movie
    Within These Walls was a good way to spend 2 hours. It is one of the better made-for-TV movies I have seen in a long time. Although it may not be true to the facts, I did find it to be uplifting and encouraging. The idea of inmates training dogs was not new to me, but seeing it brought to life was cool. I am glad to know that some inmates out there are finding new purpose, dogs are being saved and handicapped people are getting helped (even if it is only a few).

    Joan is a hardened, emotionless criminal. Most of the other prisoners seem to be afraid of her and just leave her alone. Sister Pauline is a nun with a complicated past who wants to get a program started at the womens' prison where the inmates will train dogs for the handicapped. She believes it is a win-win-win situation. It takes a little work to convince the warden, but eventually she, as well as the female guard responsible for supervising the project, are fully on board. A lot of human drama among Sister Pauline and the women training the dogs takes place, as well. We quickly see many little ways in which the activity is changing all their lives.

    All that said, Ellen Burstyn is, as she always is, the glue that holds this piece together. The woman can act! She can play anything. This time, uncharacteristically, she is playing a rather unpleasant and unlikable (at least initially) character, Joan Thomas. Ms. Burstyn is aided nicely by Laura Dern (as Sister Pauline), never one of my particular favorites, but effective here. The actresses playing the guard, warden, and the other two dog-training prisoners are also quite capable.

    I like the way that we get to find out bits and pieces at a time about Joan's and Pauline's pasts and why they are the way they are. We aren't just smacked over the head with it constantly. The filmmakers did a nice job of interspersing the dog training scenes with the scenes of interaction among the women. I felt like I was going through the emotional highs and lows with them. Ellen Burstyn has an uncanny ability to rip my heart out just by the look in her eyes, and she does it again in Within These Walls.

    Overall, it gets a B+ from me.
    helpful•9
    0
    • amjets0912
    • Nov 21, 2001

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 20, 2001 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Canada
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Su última oportunidad
    • Filming locations
      • Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Matrix Movies
      • Von Zerneck-Sertner Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo

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