Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant and unforgettable
Review: This film is a masterpiece, and, I believe ranks among the greatest ever made. It is a masterful portrait of a difficult, impoverished, but at the same time, powerfully poignant childhood that haunts McCourt to this day. The brutal realities are all intact, but there is also an undercurrent of the desperate love the family members had for one another which is brilliantly realized in nearly every frame. All I can say is Bravo, Alan Parker - you have made something beautiful.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Angela
Review: As someone who read the book three times before seeing the film, and who watched the film with more than a dozen friends (some from Ireland) who loved it as much as I, I can only say "T'anks" to Alan Parker for doing the nearly-impossible...capturing the spirit of Frank McCourt's masterpiece! The unbelievably sad moments were there, as were the incredibly funny times that helped the McCourt boys survive their wretched upbringing. I thought the acting was universally excellent, and Parker did a marvelous job with his child actors ("Young Frankie" was a revelation)! My only criticism of the film had to do with John William's score...far too melodramatic, even considering the circumstances portrayed. Watch this with a loved one...and talk about it afterwards...the DVD is wonderful!!
Rating: 
Summary: moving drama
Review: In the very opening scene of Alan Parker's `Angela's Ashes,' we are informed by the narrator and main character, Frankie McCourt, in a phrase that turns out to be a masterpiece of understatement, that he had a `miserable childhood' - but just how miserable we may not be quite adequately prepared to see. Based on the author's Pulitzer Prize winning autobiographical memoir, this compelling film plunges us directly into the wretchedness and squalor of life in Depression-ridden Ireland, a setting overflowing with disease, starvation, joblessness and despair. Indeed, by the time the film has hit the 25-minute mark, we have already witnessed the deaths of no fewer than three of Frankie's little siblings. The film, like the novel on which it is based, never flinches from portraying the brutal reality of the life the people of this dreary town must endure.Yet, the film is also, at times, rich in humor and a sense of that unquenchable optimism that somehow exists in even the most hopeless of circumstances. Frankie, despite the harsh conditions of his life, remains a boy focused on the good things that come his way, enduring even a loving but utterly irresponsible ne'er-do-well father (beautifully played by `The Full Monty's Robert Carlyle) with an indulgence and tolerance borne of filial devotion. As Frankie grows from young boy, dutifully fulfilling the parental role for his younger brothers, to a man verging on the edge of adulthood, he feeds on his dreams of moving to America to start a new life full of hope and promise. The people and situations he encounters on this road create a stunning tapestry of life, teeming with bitterness and coldness it is true, but also with occasional, albeit momentary, displays of warmth, kindness and compassion - whether they be from a seemingly bitter aunt who, much to his astonishment, buys Frankie a brand new set of clothes in which to start his new job, a teacher who inspires him to see life beyond the circumscribed limits of this dreary Irish town or a compassionate priest who counsels Frankie in a moment of dark despair. These help to counterbalance the deadening effects of his father's thoughtlessness and drunkenness, the death of his first love by consumption, the often brutal treatment he receives at the hands of both his teachers and fellow classmates. And all the while there stands his mother, the anchor that holds him firmly in place, a woman beaten down by poverty, the untimely deaths of her children, the fecklessness of her otherwise loving husband - yet a woman so full of the quality of stoic self-sacrifice that it is from she that Frankie draws the strength he needs to move on in his life. Emily Watson provides a luminous portrait of this woman, triumphantly conveying the longsuffering reserve that helps shield her from the ugliness and dreariness of her life and provides her with the strength to carry on and build into her children a sense of moral rectitude. And the three boys who portray Frankie at various stages of the drama are utterly perfect in their wide-eyed naturalism, as they look upon a world often incomprehensible in its drabness and cruelty. It seems to be becoming a truism lately that, if you want to see the bleakest portrayal of life imaginable, go to see a film set in Ireland. Nowhere does the sun shine less frequently, nowhere do the drab colors of gray and brown so heavily predominate, nowhere does poverty seem so all encompassing and inescapable. The Ireland of `Angela's Ashes' is surely no exception. The filmmakers, moreover, cast a scathing eye on the mindless superstition, bigotry and hypocrisy to be found in much of the blindly pro-Southern Ireland, anti-Protestant, anti-British, anti-Northern Ireland attitude perpetuated by the Catholic Church there in the 1930's. Thus, in the depths of McCourt's autobiographical story lies a diatribe with its roots planted deep in political and social protest. Yet, because of our fascination with the boy at the center of the narrative, these qualities filter through subtly, never dominating the proceedings. `Angela's Ashes' is rather, from beginning to end, a moving story about goodhearted, ordinary people learning to cope with the immense hardships life throws their way. In the long run, it certainly makes one happier with one's own lot in life. `Angela's Ashes,' for those who can take its uncompromising view of reality, is a richly rewarding experience.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring descent into abject poverty - no reason to exist
Review: This film has no reason to exist other than to create a boring two and a half hour unrelenting look at abject poverty - just about the most depressing and pointless film I've seen in years. The three child actors who portray Frank McCourt at various stages of his growth are exceptional and headed for serious acting careers, but the film has no reason for being other than to say "Look at me, I rose above all this to become a writer so I could write about this depressing stuff." The Oscar nom for score is a joke - there's very little original music and what there is is forgettable. John Williams' name and studio politics are at work here. Unless you're in a manic state and desirous of being brought down fast, avoid this film.
Rating:
Summary: Affecting look at the human face of poverty
Review: The trouble with making a movie out of a Pulitzer Prize winning book is that no matter how good and true to the book it is, it will usually be a disappointment. This has a lot to do with the difference between reading a story and seeing one. When one reads a book, it is usually done over time, perhaps a week or two. The words stir the imagination and the scenes described become images, usually more illusory than real. There is plenty of time for this process to work. A film, in contrast, is viewed over a period of about two hours, where the viewer is perceiving rather than imagining. The portrayals are well defined and no matter how creative the director, it is very difficult to create scenes that equal those of readers who have previously conjured fantastic images in their heads. I believe this is the reason this film was such a disappointment to so many viewers who had read the book. Thankfully, I saw the film first, so I had no preconceived notions. With that fresh perspective, I must say that it was outstanding. It the story is taken from the memoirs of Frank McCourt, who recounted his childhood in Ireland in the 1930's and 1940's. It is a poignant and compelling story of a poor family struggling to survive. The images are powerful depictions of the indignity of indigence in a world where hunger and disease were common and people went almost as frequently to the cemetery as to the market. Alan Parker brings us a starkly realistic view of McCourt's Ireland. He scoured Ireland to find a ghetto that brought forth the images described in the book, but after an exhaustive search, he decided to build the lane from scratch using McCourt's photographs. Upon visiting the set, McCourt said it was chillingly accurate and he couldn't believe he wasn't back home. Parker desaturated the color to give the film a very stark look, consistent with the squalor he was trying to portray. Paradoxically, the loss of color intensity intensified the power of the images. Though I'm not a big fan of this technique (I like rich and vibrant color), in this case it was the perfect choice. The film suffers a bit from excessive length, undoubtedly because there was so much to cover. However, when Parker bombards the viewer with disturbingly hopeless imagery for well over two hours, it becomes tedious. This is another advantage of reading a book. You can more easily put it down and come back to it. Parker sometimes overdoes certain ideas that he could have condensed. We could have done without half a dozen vomiting scenes and all the chamber pot activity. One or two such scenes would have gotten the message across. The cast was consistently excellent. Parker saw over 15,000 child actors before casting the three boys who played Frank at various ages. All three were wonderful, but my favorite was Michael Legge, the oldest Frank. He was the most hopeful person in the film, giving him character and determination, without losing his idealistic innocence. Emily Watson is a great dramatic actress and rose to the occasion to endow Angela with superhuman strength, courage and persistence in the face of crushing hardship and sorrow. Robert Carlyle was also terrific as Frank's father. He made the character a lovable man with fatal flaws. Despite his heinously irresponsible behavior squandering money on drink as his family starved, his charming nature and effusive affection for the children evoked as much love from us as disgust. This is a brilliant production. Though many who read the book were disappointed, I must point out that Frank McCourt, who wrote the book, was unabashed in praising it for its realism in capturing his impressions and feelings of the times. I rated it a 9/10. Other than a bit of overkill, this is superb filmmaking, giving us an affecting look at the human face of poverty.
Rating:
Summary: A valiant effort, but...
Review: There are few touching moments in this movie, I would expect more from a film based on a world wide best-seller. It is about a troubled mother(Emily Watson), a drunken father(played well by Robert Carlyle), and their children. The movie is set in the 1930's in Ireland. It focuses on the hardship's the family must endure. It is also a coming-of-age drama. About Frank's(the lead charachter) dream to return to America. The child actors give fabulous performances. Carlyle, does well in a difficult role, so does Watson as his removed wife. Still, the film's resoloution is un-fulfilling, and you don't feel anything when the film is over.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Moving
Review: Even though the film keeps getting negative reviews I must say I enjoyed it thoroughly. Rarely do I become deeply moved by a movie but this one really did it for me. The thing that amazes me is how honest and simple, yet so powerful this movie is. There was no corny sentiment or any of that but it still is so touching. While other movies have to try so hard to reach that element of power, this movie gets all of it across by pure emotions demonstrated by such talented actors. I loved Robert Carlyle in Trainspotting and the Full Monty and this film was no different. He is a versatile and talented actor. I had never seen Emily Watson but I think her acting was superb. And the child actors were such stars too. I especially enjoyed Michael Legge's performance as the older Frank McCourt. I recommend it to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: An honest narrative of courage to rise above life's blows...
Review: Having grown up in a family where my father's substance abuse problem was a daily issue, and where often times our own lives were threatened by the destructive consequences alcoholism can bring (along with hunger and desperation), watching "Angela's Ashes" was no easy task. Many times, reminded of the feeling of hopelessness I once experienced, I had to take a deep breath due to the stirring of emotions the movie was affecting in me - how could such an accurate and detailed account of my life be put into the big screen without my previous consent? I consider this movie a masterpiece (the acting is unique), but those who have survived alcoholism in their own families and who have, at any particular point in their lives, just "gone through life without the feeling of being alive, and just moved on out of stubborn determination when nothing offered any hope" will be able to appreciate this movie to a deeper level. Frank McCourt, you are a survivor, and you've done a terrific job growing up as a young lad, going against all the odds, obstacles and blows life inflicted on you. Many will benefit from your courage to put in writing the narrative of your deepest sorrows, frustrations, dreams and ambitions - Alan Parker's directing skills kept your narrative honest, and the final product only falls short when compared to life itself!
Rating: 
Summary: Perfect example of why certain books should be left alone.
Review: This is the first time I have commented on a film; I could not stay silent on this movie adaptation of an exceptional book. There are books that are meant to be movies, books that make surprisingly good movies, and books that should never ever go beyond the mind's eye of the reader. I saw Mr. McCourt on The Charlie Rose show and he stated he felt "they" had gotten it (the film) just right". So who am I to say otherwise? Many, many people were disappointed with "Tis"; you will be exponentially more distraught by this movie. "Angela's Ashes" was literally one of the greatest publishing successes of the last hundred years. From a book that had an initial run of only 27,000 copies to a book that now has sold millions, it was an event by any measure. When the movie opened I was puzzled why it was in so few theaters. Major movies open on 2,000 or 3,000, or even more screens. This film peaked at 916 theaters, I believe, and went down from there. The young and younger and youngest of boys that played Frank were wonderful. The Director Alan Parker does Ireland as well as anyone, and Emily Watson was wonderful as well. But a visually depressing Ireland is not enough to bring the film off. Everyone involved knew they were making a film that would have an audience with expectations impossibly high; it would be a remarkable task to even come close to meeting them. Whoever made the final call on go or no go, should have said no. The movie-going public said don't bother, theater owners did not place it on their very valuable holiday season screens. The movie went no place commercially and that is all the commentary this film needs. Whatever vision of "Angela" resides in your mind, keep it, embrace it, and love it, for this film will only detract from what you already have.
Rating:
Summary: Quintessential Cinema!
Review: I've read enough of the bad reviews of those who read the book and watched the film. Not every book material is filmable and I'd say that from one who has read the book and watched the film, the film is a great triumph. Cinema is all about moving images and every frame (the cinematography is its crowning glory) in the movie tells a thousand stories - yes, even unspoken humor in the midst of all the misery, gloom and pathos - although that scene where the priest in the confessional had to have huge ears was a bit too much. There is a remarkable feeling of contentment after watching this movie. The book leaves a sense of longing in search of more and the movie fulfills it. This is what cinema should offer. It reminded me of De Sica's neo-realist films in the 40's and 50's. Parker has not disappointed me yet.
|
