I saw this movie on TV about 12 years ago. I don't think it ever got much play at the theater, if any. It is about a young woman who is an artist. SHe is staying in a convent and she steals art supplies from an art store- where she meets the male lead actor. I think she is estranged from her father who is also an artist, maybe. And her mother died mysteriously in an auto accident when she was young and she blames her fatther for the accident. Her past has left her mistrusting everyone. SHe is poor and drifting but something she paints on a wall in the convent changes everything for her and for the nuns in the convent. The movie is fiction- it is not about a real person.

The female lead looks something like winona Ryder- but it is not her and it is not Marisa Tomei. It might be the girl who starred in With Honors. The male lead is not a huge name but someone like Tate Donovan. Thanks for any help you can provide!

Here is a list of movies Tate Donovan was in hope it helps

* Damages (2007) TV Series
* Neal Cassady (2007)
* Nancy Drew (2007) as Carson Drew
* Shooter (2007)
* Kingdom Hearts II (2006) (video game)
* Silver Bells (2005)
* Good Night, and Good Luck (2005)
* The Pacifier (2005)
* Exposed (2003/I)
* The O.C. (2003-2004, 2005, 2006, 2007) TV Series
* Mister Sterling (2003) TV Series
* West of Here (2002)
* Get Well Soon (2001)
* Swordfish (2001)
* House of Mouse (2001) TV Series
* Jesus & Hutch (2000)
* Office Party, The (2000)
* G-Men from Hell (2000)
* Outer Limits-Episode:Glitch (2000)
* Drop Back Ten (2000)
* for a.m.: Open All Night (1999)
* Hercules: Zero to Hero (1999)
* Thin Pink Line, The (1998)
* Godzilla the series (1998)
* Waiting for Woody (1998)
* October 22 (1998)
* Trinity (1998) TV Series
* Hercules: The Animated Series(1998) TV Series
* Friends (1998)
* Tempting Fate (1998) (TV)
* The Only Thrill (1997)
* Ally McBeal (1997)
* Hercules (1997) (voice of Hercules)
* Murder at 1600 (1997)
* America's Dream (1996) (TV)
* Partners (1995) TV Series
* Holy Matrimony (1994)
* Ethan From (1993)
* Love Potion No. 9 (1992)
* Equinox (1992)
* Inside Monkey Zetterland (1992)
* Little Noises (1991)
* Memphis Belle (1990)
* Rising Son (1990/I) (TV)
* Dead Bang (1989)
* Dangerous Curves (1988)
* Vietnam War Story II (1988)
* Clean and Sober (1988)
* Nutcracker: Money, Madness & Murder (1987) (mini) TV Series
* SpaceCamp (1986)
* Magnum P.I. Episode: Summer School (1986) (TV)
* Case of Deadly Force, A (1986) (TV)
* North Beach and Rawhide (1985) (TV)
* Into Thin Air (1985) (TV)
* Not My Kid (1985) (TV)
* No Small Affair (1984)

Also more here
Tate Donovan - Biography

Changing Habits (1997)