vdegriff The storyline at the beginning of this page makes reference to an inevitable ending, I don't believe that anything that happens in this film is inevitable. To believe this is to believe that two people with schizophrenia should not act on their love and I don't think that the makers of this film are saying that.

gcd70 Writer/director Michael Rymer's strong, realistic script and profound performances from John Lynch and Jacqueline McKenzie ensure "Angel Baby" is an impacting drama about two schizophrenic out-patients who begin a relationship and plan to start a family.Rymer has researched his material well, and this shows in the tellingly accurate screenplay and the sharply observed characters. John Lynch is superb as Harry, a mentally ill fellow who falls immediately for Kate, the bizarre young woman who consults a spiritual guide (her guardian angel who communicates with her through t.v.'s "Wheel of Fortune") for any decision she faces or information she needs. As the said Kate, McKenzie is incredible and has you completely absorbed with her amazing characterisation. The impressive support cast includes Colin Friels, Deborah Lee-Furness and David Argue.For all it's merits though, "Angel Baby" seems to have no point. Perhaps it is just a quiet statement about the prejudices society holds against the mentally ill, especially those who suffer from schizophrenia. Certainly Rymer never attempts to drive a point home. This can often make for a more enjoyable movie, but "Angel Baby's" hope-less ending, though moving, rather leaves its audience floundering. Tragically Mr. Rymer has killed off what was, up until then, a great movie with too realistic a conclusion, much as Peter Weir did with "Dead Poet's Society".Pic's other problem involves relating to the audience. Two fabulous performances and incisive writing can never help us get inside the skin of people we do not understand. Little explanation as to the origin of their illnesses, or even of the illness itself, is given, making it hard for us to comprehend the whys and wherefores. Of course the reality of schizophrenia is, we don't really understand it very well at all. There is surely much more to it than we know.Monday, June 2, 1997 - Hoyts Croydon

NanRN1965 I saw this movie recently and enjoyed it very much. It is a truly beautiful love story. I am an RN and I think the characters schitzophrenia and the activities of The Clubhouse and the hospital are realistically portrayed. John Lynch is absolutely adorable. I like Jacqueline MacKenzie, too. I can't believe that she is the same girl who was in Romper Stomper. (That movie is worth watching too.) I loved the music from this movie especially "On Your Shore" by Enya. It was the perfect music choice for the scene it is used in. This movie is definitely worth seeing once and is better the second time when you've got the accents down.

chinaskee If Jacqueline McKenzie and John Lynch weren't such talented actors this film would probably be even worse than it actually is.The story of two mentally disturbed people who fall in love and have a baby is an interesting one,and well worth exploring.However on the negative side,the plot becomes increasingly over the top as the story progresses,and the music choices more and more bizarre,so that by the end I found myself laughing when I know the director intended for me to be crying.