Rating: 
Summary: Miserable Adaptation of a Superb Book
Review: Not all books are meant to be translated into film. Sometimes they work quite well; indeed, there are great film translations of Michael Ondaatje's "The English Patient" and Milan Kundera's "The Unbearable Lightness of Being". But alas, they usually don't. When I heard that a film adaptation of "Angela's Ashes" was being made, I feared that it would fail to convey the emotional power and Joycean prose of Frank McCourt's words. Alas, my worst fears were realized. Trying to remain faithful to the book, the film becomes a disjointed set of episodes linked by an unseen narrator who speaks of them in the past. This is a major error by Alan Parker and his co-writer. They should have set the narration in present tense, using Frank to quote directly from his book. The fine cinematography is muted in the pale blue light that hovers over virtually every scene of what is meant to be Limerick outdoors. Although Emily Watson does a good job portraying Angela McCourt, this film's best feature is its music; another excellent score composed by John Williams. Those who wish to remember the magical lyricism of Frank's prose should read "Angela's Ashes" again. Otherwise, you may be as disappointed as I was after seeing this film.
Rating: 
Summary: Did I say long?
Review: Angela's Ashes (Alan Parker, 1999) Good lord, this movie is long. There are some decent performances here. Robert Carlyle's surprisingly minor role as the scion of Clan McCourt stands out, but then we should be used to Carlyle turning in above average performances now. And Joe Breen, as the youngest of the three Franks we see, turns in an excellent debut performance. This is a kid from whom we should be hearing more in the future. But two and a half hours? And this just for part one? Oh, come now. Alan Parker has been in a somewhat steady decline for the past decade or so, and this overbearing, overdetailed mush is no step in the reverse direction. Parker, whose penchant for overly-detailed novel adaptations is becoming something of a standing joke (remember The Road to Wellville?), was allowed to run rampant with Frank McCourt's overly-long Pulitzer-winning memoir here. One wonders if Hollywood attempted to rein him in at all, and if they did, how long the original script ran. The mind quails. In case you've been in a cave since 1996, Angela's Ashes is the first part of Frank McCourt's sweeping autobiography, detailing the years between four, when his parents packed the kids up and they became, in McCourt's words, "the only family moving BACK to Ireland," and eighteen, when Frank leaves Ireland once again for New York. (One idly wonders about the title, since Angela, Frank's mother, is alive throughout, and last I looked, one had to be dead to be cremated.) McCourt notes, in a somewhat understated manner, at the beginning that he "had a miserable childhood." That kind of understatement, carried through this film, could have made it into a kind of grand ironic farce, or at the very least a sharp satire on Irish family life in poverty in a timeframe roughly akin to America's great depression. But it's obvious that Parker is something of a zealot where this book is concerned. He's a true believer. And he's not going to let any possible different interpretations of the book get in the way of what he wants the viewer to see. And that is the unforgivable sin. Always. After that opening remark, there is nothing at all subtle about this movie. And there should have been. The racism which the family suffers at first slowly fades away, as is the gradual nature of all such things, only to be replaced by a different form of racism (instead of Yankees, they're now Nothernmen); that process alone could have been the basis for a well-executed two-and-a-half hour film, but instead, Parker presents it in a series of stop-motion scenes that, while advancing the plot, still seem as if they were placed in the film specifically to show the viewer that "this is racism!" We'd never have picked it up on our own, no sir! Angela's Ashes is the cinematic version of the Al Gore campaign. It talks to us as if we're five years old, never allows us to form our own opinions, and thinks it's in the right for it. **
Rating: 
Summary: Very Good But A Downer
Review: Alan Parker, the director, doesn't do bad work and this film is no exception. My favorite film of his remains "Sid and Nancy." His film of survival as child Frank McCourt in a bare bones poverty-stricken family in Ireland can be bleak. McCourt makes it out of Ireland and to America by film's end, a true story, but getting there is a gray, rain-sodden event. I will single out one actor though who is absolutely superb. That is Robert Carlyle as Frank's father and his portrayal of his losing battle with alcohol and unemployment despite wanting to be a loving father and family man. I wanted to hate him for his weaknesses and how they hurt his family but Carlyle actually had me pitying his character too. The last one sees of him in the movie was a really peak moment that is impossible to forget. I can see him now walking away from Frank in the rain. I'd seen Carlyle in movies before but he pulled out all of the stops on this one. I've been trying to discover the wonderfulness of Emily Watson that all filmmakers tell me is there in her acting ability. Her appeal continues to elude me, however, despite seeing at least six films with her in the lead. The young actors who play Frank are splendid. What moments of humor are in the film are with the children, not the adults. "Angela's Ashes" is worth watching but I certainly wouldn't recommend it if you are already depressed. Stressed out from a hard day? Move onto another flick.
Rating:
Summary: An Unflinching Glimpse Of Survival
Review: Adapted from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt's bleak but amusing childhood memoirs; it's the tale of a cheeky, dirt-poor Irish lad who survives starvation, neglect and disease in '30s Limerick and immigrates to America. Director Parker read Ashes before it was published and tried to buy the film rights. He was thrilled when asked to direct by producer Scott Rudin and even visited Limerick in '98, where he was struck by the hordes of Ashes devotees wandering the cobblestone streets, clutching well-worn copies of this book. Ashes is not quite It's a Wonderful Life. This unflinchingly Dickensian look at Irish starvation-level poverty is rough going, even with the humorous voice-overs. But McCourt was so pleased by the faithful adaptation, says producer David Brown, "he was mesmerized and in tears" after a London screening. As in most cases, the books movies are gleaned from reach greater depths and details, as authors have much more leeway. But, if Frank McCourt himself has Irish eyes a smilin' over this compelling adaptation--who am I to throw any Blarney stones? A passionate and moving film as is the book.
Rating: 
Summary: !! Brilliant !! Screen Adaptation of the Frank McCourt Novel
Review: Just a fantastic film, great casting. Photography was excellent capturing those sad moments and expresions.
Rating:
Summary: Sepia sentimentality
Review: Having heard such good things about the book I was hoping for a gritty portrayal of a depressed time. However, the film the film disappointed at nearly every level. Not even in Limerick does it rain EVERY day and even in the most miserable existences there is some glimmer of humour and light. Alan Parker wallowed in every obvious cliche and even good acting from the main characters falied to raise the film above the mundane. John Williams really should have stayed away from this film - the music is sickening. Hollywood wins again.
Rating:
Summary: Good movie
Review: I think angela's ashes is great...the movie isnt as good as the book, but pretty close. It captures the sadness of the family and it stays true to the book. I would recommed this movie to anyone that liked the book
Rating:
Summary: Very Touching, Funny, and Inspiring
Review: Most critics panned this movie, but I don't know why. I rented it despite the negative reviews, being a fan of the book of the same title by Frank McCourt. I was not disappointed at all. I found the movie to be very engaging. The entire cast was superb and the story was very good. OK, one problem: It could have been shorter. Other than that, it was a great movie. The story of Frank McCourt's childhood is universal and compelling. There is tragedy as well as comedy. AT the end of this movie, I was thoroughly satisfied.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant Photography
Review: The film was somewhat anti English but all the same I thoroughly enjoyed it. The acting, especially by the children was wonderful but above all the photography was brilliant. I'll be watching this again..........and again!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: I NEVER READ THE BOOK, But......
Review: I never read the book, although my wife did and she was duly impressed by the film rendition. I fully enjoyed the DVD we rented and I have now BOUGHT a DVD copy from AMAZON.COM! I read the reveiws and fully believe that many of these critics were not fair to this film. I got not only a sense for the horrible poverty that the author lived through but the powerful character that was developed by all the adversity. Sure, this film shows the terrible childhood of the author but also has a great sense of humor that leaves a viewer with hope and compassion. Forget the negative reviews you may read by low-brows. BUY THIS DVD. The DVD has GREAT features, including a 5.1 dolby soundtrack, a wonderful behind the scenes "making of" and other GREAT indepth features. This film will remain in my library for when I need a little spiritual boost...where-in I will put it in my player and once again allow my spirit to soar. This was and is a very good film.
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