An Angel at My Table 1990

Biography

Drama

Box Office

$1.1M

Runtime

158 min

Language

English

Directed by

Jane Campion

Made by

John Maynard Productions

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Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for An Angel at My Table (1990). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Janet Frame is born in New Zealand’s South Island, where her early life is deeply influenced by her love for literature. As a child, she engages with the works of Grimms’ Fairy Tales and writes her own poetry. After finishing primary school, she seeks out further literary inspiration at her local athenaeum. Janet enjoys a close bond with her sisters, Myrtle and Isabel, along with friendships with Poppy and Marguerite. One fateful afternoon, while Myrtle goes swimming, she tragically drowns, leaving Janet to grapple with the immense sorrow of losing her sister. This event leads Janet into a profound state of depression, prompting her to destroy her childhood poetry.

As she grows into adulthood, Janet becomes increasingly introverted and struggles with her mental health. While attending university and living with her Aunt Isy and Uncle George, she pursues a career as a teacher. However, after a disheartening visit from an inspector in 1945, she abandons teaching and instead works as a nurse. Eventually, the weight of her emotional distress overwhelms her, and she attempts suicide by taking a bottle of aspirin. Following this incident, she is placed on medical leave and admitted to a psychiatric ward, where she is diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Life brings further heartache when Janet faces the loss of her sister Isabel, who drowns in Picton Harbour. To cope with this tragedy, she immerses herself in writing and is admitted to Sunnyside Hospital, where she undergoes electroshock therapy. In 1951, while still hospitalized, she achieves her first literary success with the publication of The Lagoon and Other Stories, which goes on to win the Hubert Church Memorial Award. Once released from the hospital, she stays briefly with the author Frank Sargeson, where her first novel, Owls Do Cry, is also published.

In 1956, Janet leaves New Zealand behind, heading to London on a literary grant. She enjoys a brief stay in Ibiza, where she shares a room with an American student named Bernhard. Their budding romance takes a turn when Bernhard leaves at the end of the academic semester, and Janet finds herself pregnant, ultimately suffering a miscarriage. In 1958, seeking help once more, she re-enters a psychiatric ward under the care of Dr. Cawley, who later determines that Janet’s previous diagnosis was incorrect; she had merely suffered from the effects of extended hospitalization. Encouraged by Dr. Cawley to articulate her experiences, Janet writes another novel, Faces in the Water, which garners her further acclaim.

Once her success catches the eye of her publisher Mark Goulden, she is encouraged to pen a bestselling book. Mark arranges for Janet to move to Knightsbridge, where she mingles with fellow authors Alan and Ruth Sillitoe. However, Janet receives the heartbreaking news of her father’s passing, leading her back to New Zealand. There, she faces the media, engages with a local journalist, and dives back into her writing, not just as a means of coping, but as an essential part of her identity.

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of An Angel at My Table (1990) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Birth of Janet Frame

Janet Frame is born in New Zealand's South Island, marking the beginning of her journey as a writer. Her early life is surrounded by the natural beauty of the region, which would later influence her literary work.

South Island, New Zealand

Childhood Affinity for Literature

During her formative years, Janet develops a strong affinity for literature, finding solace in writing poetry and exploring the fantastical tales of Grimms' Fairy Tales. This passion for words would shape her identity and future career as a writer.

Tragic Loss of Myrtle

An afternoon of swimming turns tragic when Janet's sister Myrtle drowns, leaving a profound impact on her. Janet grapples with grief and loss, struggling to cope with the emotional turmoil that follows.

Burning of Childhood Poetry

In a fit of despair after Myrtle's death, Janet burns the pages of poetry she had written as a child. This act symbolizes her deep emotional pain and the repression she feels as she faces life's challenges.

Education and Repression

As a young adult, Janet attends university while living with her Aunt Isy and Uncle George. Despite pursuing a career in teaching, she feels increasingly repressed and ultimately abandons her vocation.

1945 University

Struggles with Mental Health

After consuming a pack of aspirin in a suicide attempt, Janet is hospitalized, where she receives a diagnosis of schizophrenia. This tragic event marks a significant turning point in her life.

Psychiatric ward

Isabel's Tragic Death

Janet faces another devastating loss with the drowning of her sister Isabel in Picton Harbour. The grief from this incident drives her to express her emotions through poetry, leading her back to writing.

Picton Harbour

First Book Publication

While hospitalized, Janet publishes her first book, 'The Lagoon and Other Stories', which features a collection of her poetry. This achievement earns her the Hubert Church Memorial Award, marking her entry into the literary world.

1951 Sunnyside Hospital

Launch of Owls Do Cry

After being discharged, Janet stays briefly with author Frank Sargeson. During this time, her first novel, 'Owls Do Cry', is published, securing her place as an important voice in New Zealand literature.

Move to London

In 1956, Janet leaves her homeland for London on a literary grant, eager to expand her horizons. This move opens up new opportunities for her writing and connects her with other literary figures.

1956 London

Romantic Involvement in Ibiza

While residing in Ibiza, Janet begins a romantic relationship with Bernhard, an American student. This relationship introduces her to a world of new experiences but ultimately ends when he returns home.

Ibiza

Miscarriage and Mental Health Setbacks

After experiencing a miscarriage, Janet admits herself back into a psychiatric ward, indicating her ongoing struggles with mental health. This sets the stage for a deeper understanding of her psychological state.

1958 Psychiatric ward

Writing Faces in the Water

Encouraged by her psychiatrist, Dr. Cawley, Janet writes 'Faces in the Water', reflecting on her experiences in mental health care. This book gains immediate success, showcasing her literary talent.

Letter about Father's Death

Janet receives the heartbreaking news of her father's death, prompting her to return to New Zealand. This event becomes a catalyst for her personal reflection and further literary inspiration.

Resumption of Writing

Back in New Zealand, Janet resumes her writing and continues to produce work that resonates with readers. This period marks a significant chapter in her life as she reconciles with her past.

Characters

Explore all characters from An Angel at My Table (1990). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Janet Frame

Janet Frame is portrayed as a complex character who grapples with deep emotional trauma and the pressures of societal expectations. Her introverted nature and passion for literature are juxtaposed with her struggles with mental health. Despite facing significant hardships, she remains resilient, ultimately channelling her experiences into her writing.

👩‍🎤 Protagonist 📝 Writer 🌪️ Struggler

Setting

Learn where and when An Angel at My Table (1990) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

1945 - 1958

The film spans a critical period between the end of World War II and the late 1950s, a time of significant social change and cultural evolution. During this time, literature flourished and mental health awareness began to emerge, although stigma still lingered. It's a backdrop that influences Janet's journey as she battles personal demons while striving to establish herself as a writer.

Location

New Zealand, South Island, Picton Harbour, London, Ibiza, Knightsbridge

The movie takes place primarily in New Zealand's picturesque South Island, known for its stunning landscapes and natural beauty. Key locations include Picton Harbour, where tragic events unfold for Janet and her family. The narrative also journeys to London, a literary hub where Janet seeks her fortune, and to Ibiza, a place of personal turbulence and fleeting romance.

🌍 Locations ✈️ Travel

Themes

Discover the main themes in An Angel at My Table (1990). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

📚

Literary Pursuit

The theme of literary pursuit is central to Janet's journey as she navigates the struggles of mental health and personal loss while writing. Her passion for poetry and storytelling serves as an outlet and a means of coping with her circumstances. The novel highlights the redemptive power of art in the face of adversity.

💔

Loss and Grief

Loss and grief permeate the narrative, particularly exemplified by the tragic drownings of Janet's sisters. The film portrays how these events deeply impact her mental health and creative expression. Throughout her journey, we witness the complexities of mourning and the struggle to find solace in writing as a way to heal.

🧠

Mental Health

Mental health is a prominent theme, evidenced by Janet's diagnosis and treatment for schizophrenia. The film explores the societal perceptions of mental illness during the 1950s and the journey of self-discovery amidst psychological turmoil. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and compassion in the face of mental health challenges.

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