NORMAN JEWISON

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBB.5

USA, 1985.  Columbia Pictures Corporation, Delphi IV Productions.  Screenplay by John Pielmeier, based on his stage play.  Cinematography by Sven Nykvist.  Produced by Norman Jewison, Patrick J. Palmer.  Music by Georges Delerue.  Production Design by Ken Adam.  Costume Design by Renee April.  Film Editing by Antony Gibbs.  

Enjoyable melodrama about the investigation of a possible miracle and/or murder. Jane Fonda plays a court psychiatrist who is assigned to the case of a young nun (Meg Tilly) who was found in her quarters with her dead baby in her arms.  Tilly insists that she is a virgin who conceived without sexual intercourse, hence Fonda’s job to help her come to grips with reality before her impending murder trial. Anne Bancroft plays the Mother Superior of the convent who wants Tilly left alone by the outside world, but Fonda insists on getting to the bottom of either her madness or saintliness. Great acting, especially by Tilly, who is riveting, elevates a script that could have used a few more drafts.

Academy Award Nominations:  Best Actress (Anne Bancroft); Best Supporting Actress (Meg Tilly); Best Original Score

Golden Globe Award:  Best Supporting Actress (Meg Tilly)
Nominations: Best Actress-Drama (Anne Bancroft)