In most cases, philosophical murder mysteries are routinely contrived, tacky, and full of red herrings. Agnes of God is no exception. With a storyline that sounds as if it was pulled from the front page of "The National Inquirer," Agnes of God falls short of anything intellectually stimulating. This hit stage-play turned motion-picture repeatedly disappoints, and is nothing more than an exasperating piece of dastardly drivel.
On a quiet night within the walls of a Montreal convent, a novice nun named Agnes (Meg Tilly) is found in her quarters drenched in blood. Upon a closer inspection of her room, a dead infant, with its umbilical cord tired around its neck, is discovered in Agnes’ wastebasket. Dr. Martha Livingston (Jane Fonda) is called in to investigate the killing and provide a psychiatric evaluation of Agnes—the apparent mother and murderer of the child. Agnes claims that she does not recollect the conception or the birth, but Dr. Livingston is adamant to assign a definitive explanation as to both who the father and killer are.
Considering the only male candidate who ostensibly has any access to the convent is Father Martineau (Gratein Gelinas), an elderly and slow-moving man, Mother Superior Miriam (Anne Bancroft) believes that the father of Agnes’s baby is God. She deems the conception to be immaculate and Agnes to be innocent. With this set of convictions in mind, Mother Superior attempts to discourage Dr. Livingston from interrogating and corrupting Agnes any further; however, she fails.
After a series of one-on-ones and a hypnotism or two, Dr. Livingston determines Agnes to be a very distressed woman who is haunted by her deceased mother. What else will Dr. Livingston uncover? Did Agnes have relations with a mortal man or is she a blessed woman of God (as the title alleges)?
The answer to both of the preceding questions is: one will never know. Agnes of God does not even follow the proper paradigm of a screenplay; it is lacking in both much-needed plot points and a resolution to the third act. Frustratingly, the film relies on the supernatural, and therefore its mass of inquiries that contrast between faith and agnosticism are all infuriatingly left unanswered. Agnes of God provides no closure, which makes the entire 98 minute picture practically pointless.
Article comments
1 - Tan The Man
Great review.
2 - Brian Pearson
Mr Brandon Valentine's ruthless critique of Agnes of God could use a bit of softening. It certainly isn't the last work that leaves the ending open, and it won't be the last. To lambast the movie mostly because of that, I think, was a bit harsh side.
What I thought was exceptional was the singing. All of it was very good, but the most satisfying performances were by Meg Tilly as Agnes. That is what stood out in my mind. I later wondered what other songs she may sung that are published. I thought it amazing that her training was first in dancing followed by acting, because of an injury to her back.
3 - Brian Pearson
Correction!
Literally minutes after commenting on 'Agnes of God', and Mr Brandon Valentine's review of the movie, I discovered that Meg Tillie -did not- do the actual singing; it was dubbed. I've been unable to learn the name of the person doing the actual singing.
4 - Doctor Livingston
Hello there.
upon reading your review I noticed something that you did not. Perhaps the reason that you thought Agnes of God was poorly written was because the storyline from Agnes was not thought up by any playwright. The fact is that Agnes of God is based on a true story. As sick a it may seem, someone did find this story and decide to make a play out of it. Therefore, there is no closure to the story just as there was no closure when these events took place. Maybe you should do a little more homework next time. God Bless!
5 - Brandon Valentine
Being "based on a true story" or "inspired by true events" provides a great deal of leeway. I'm not saying the screenplay should have wrapped up every loose end; Hell, hundreds of movies end beautifully without closure. It's just that the ending could have been better--both in terms of content and execution. Honestly, the film isn't worth a second viewing or debate.
6 - Smaros Giannouris
I was deeply affected by this film. Having faith means we accept the inevitable testing that follows.. The bigger picture is that believers can be challenged by dark times, but miracles are born in us when we, regain our strength to move in love, and faith despite the onslaught of this physical world.