Within These Walls (2001)

• Year: 2001
• Released: 20 Aug 2001
• Country: Canada, United States
• Adwords: 1 win & 2 nominations
• IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289791/
• Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/within_these_walls
• Metacritics:
• Available in: 720p, 1080p,
• Language: English
• MPA Rating: TV-14
• Genre: Drama
• Runtime: 100 min
• Writer: Robert J. Avrech
• Director: Mike Robe
• Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Laura Dern, LaTanya Richardson Jackson
• Keywords: prison, female prisoner, dog,

	6.3/10
	70% – Critics
	false% – Audience

Within These Walls Storyline

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

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Within These Walls Movie Reviews

another inspirational movie that tugs you at the heart

there are many underrated movies out there, and ‘Within These Walls’ is one of them. despite a previous comment about ‘homophobia’ and giving this film one star, this is a rather good movie to watch. a dramatic portrayal of the inside of a women’s prison and the character transformations that occur through an inmate rehab program, that trains dogs to assist the handicapped.truly an inspirational movie about the power of a bond between animal and human and how it can have an impact on the human soul and spirit. it’s a strong movie, based on the life of Pauline Quinn, a nun who came from an abusive past, who found hope and purpose through the love of a dog. the strength and determination of Sister Pauline Quinn and the success of the dog training program, helped turn some inmates’ lives around, a great achievement.

Not your usual Hallmark fare with fantastic turns from Laura Dern & Ellen Burstyn

This was very good especially for a made for TV Hallmark movie. An interesting (inspired by) true story, helped along by fantastic turns from Ellen Burstyn -who is amazing as a hardened criminal serving time for possession and Laura Dern as the Dominican nun who reaches out to her through her service dog program. They definitely make this worth a watch.

I’d head of the success of this program before but it and it was nice to get a look at its inception here. The story follows Sister Pauline Quinn (Dern) who creates a special program in which inmates help train dogs who will be used to help the handicapped. They train and live 24-7 with the dogs and at first Joan (Burstyn) is resistant to getting involved. She is a hard woman, with a drug problem who has shut herself down emotionally. Sister Pauline for whatever reason refuses to give up on her sensing that her life can still be turned around. As it turns out she’s hiding some secrets about her own past. As I said these two are fantastic. There’s a couple of decent side stories running as well.

Honestly I was actually surprised to learn that this was a Hallmark production because it defiantly doesn’t watch like one. The story felt realistic and is gritty at times.4/10/16

Worthy Attempt; Avoids Corniness for the Most Part

I appreciated the shades of gray in this film’s characters. The film doesn’t try to hide the fact that they are capable of horrible acts. It just makes sure to show that they, under the right circumstances, are equally capable of kindness and devotion. The script makes an effort to show why the women committed the crimes for which they are imprisoned but does not suggest that they ought to be let off punishment. Unlike many prison films, “Within These Walls” acknowledges that while the inmates may be victims of circumstances themselves, their actions victimized others and continue to victimize others. There are only a couple of moments in which the film slides over into corn, and once or twice the script goes a little too far towards what I think of as New Age Bumpersticker language. But for the most part, “Within These Walls” avoids platitudes and preachiness. Ellen Burstyn is almost but not quite believable as a hardened lifelong criminal; I never managed to see her as a lifelong member of a seamy underclass. A less immaculate and highlighted hairstyle would have helped the realism a bit. Laura Dern is much less successful as Sister Pauline. I found it impossible to believe that she could found a successful prison rehabilitation program. It seemed to me that her character could barely dress herself in the morning, and I’m certain that a Dominican convent would have placed more restrictions on her behavior and time, if only to keep her from harm. A subplot involving Sister Pauline’s child was poorly written and unbelievable. Overall, I give the film a 7 for the story and for the performances of Burstyn and the supporting actors.