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Angela's Ashes
1999
ANGELA'S ASHES is the true story of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt (played at various ages by Joe Breen, Ciaran Owens, and Michael Legge), whose personal memoir became a worldwide phenomenon. When eldest son Frank's baby sister dies and father Malachy (Robert Carlyle) can find no work, the McCourt family is forced .. Read more
| Starring | Robert Carlyle, Emily Watson, Joe Breen, Ciaran Owens |
|---|---|
| Director | Alan Parker |
| Genres | Drama |
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Angela's Ashes
ANGELA'S ASHES is the true story of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt (played at various ages by Joe Breen, Ciaran Owens, and Michael Legge), whose personal memoir became a worldwide phenomenon. When eldest son Frank's baby sister dies and father Malachy (Robert Carlyle) can find no work, the McCourt family is forced to leave America and return to their native Ireland, where conditions are even more destitute than in Brooklyn. Malachy's northern accent is frowned upon in Limerick, keeping him on welfare and the family living in poverty. Things turn even more sour when two more children die and Malachy leaves the family to go to work (or, better yet, drink) in England. He never returns. Frank struggles through the poverty and his new role as man of the house, but throughout the seeming hopelessness his dream of traveling to America keeps him determined and optimistic. The three little-known actors playing Frank are impressive, and Emily Watson gives a quiet, impassioned performance as Frank's mother, Angela. Michael Seresin's photography underscores the deft direction of Alan Parker (THE COMMITMENTS, EVITA), infusing the story with beauty even at its most desperate moments. Includes book.
| Starring | Robert Carlyle, Emily Watson, Joe Breen, Ciaran Owens, Michael Legge, Pauline McLynn, Ronnie Masterson, Liam Carney, Eanna MacLiam |
|---|---|
| Director | Alan Parker |
| Studio | 4 FRONT VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 25 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Dubbed | German |
| Subtitles | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 18 Jul 2000 Production year: 1999 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (5)
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Frank McCourt's bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir is brought vividly to the screen by Alan Parker with a good cast and top-of-the-line production values. The result is a faithful, sometimes pedestrian movie that feels considerably longer than its 139-minute running time, perhaps due to the unending squalor. Parker's decision to film the terrible poverty of the McCourt family — first in America, then in Ireland — with artistic, anaesthetising cinematography is a touch misguided, and Robert Carlyle as Frank's alcoholic dad has much less to do than Emily Watson. But the three boys playing Frank at various ages are all good, and McCourt's early memories of school and church provide some humorous respite, even if, at times, it's hard not to feel manipulated by the film's endless exhibition of misery and despair.
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Based on a best-selling memoir, this puts a Hollywood gloss on the rain-soaked poverty it depicts which, coupled with miscasting of the leading role, mutes its impact; it sputters only sporadically to life.
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Most helpful member's review
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7 out of 8 people found this review helpful
People moan about our welfare state (or percieved lack of!) This film is a timely reminder of what life could be like if we didn't have it at all. This is a film that richly deserves the praise that it has had. The true story of Frank McCourts early life in 30's Limerick is not pretty but makes compelling viewing. It has its funny moments and also moments of pathos. The cast are brilliant in their understated acting, making all characters "real" and 3 dimentional. I wish I'd watched this sooner.
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Most recent members' review
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4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Sad and a bit too close to reality
Somewhat sad and a bit too close to reality or at least, life as it once was in Southern Ireland. The cinematography is excellent. You can almost smell the squalid life of the poor families and the lack of children’s welfare and sanitation.
Pangs of guilt from us English for allowing policies in the early 1900s that created the poverty and degradation that this excellent film portrays. An interesting backdrop set in the 1940s and perhaps some clues as to the causes of political and sectarian strife in the latter part of the 20th Century in Northern Ireland.
Sensitive performances from Robert Carlyle and Emily Watson. I would not recommend this film for a quiet night in… it’s too tragic but if you are prepared to have your guts twisted a little then watch it with an understanding partner. -
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ANGELA'S ASHES is the true story of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt (played at various ages by Joe Breen, Ciaran Owens, and Michael Legge), whose personal memoir became a worldwide ... -