Rating: 
Summary: Where has this been hiding?
Review: A RUMOR OF ANGELS - a film I don't recall seeing advertised for theater public consumption - is like that rare find on a misty beachcoming afternoon. Here is a story so simple yet so rich that it should be viewed by a much larger audience. Yes, Vanessa Redgrave fans will of course pick up the DVD on the merits of her enormous gifts as an actress. Or perhaps word of mouth will spread the news that someone cared enough to make a life-affirming film in the midst of all the action/implosion noisemakers. Very simply, the film is based on a book 'Messages from a Soldier to his Mother' that opens the window to the concept of what happens to us when we die. The journal kept by Redgraves' character ( Maddy Bennett, a gnarly old woman who is a loner but sensitively in touch with her take on this world and the one after) is eventually shared with an emotionally devastated boy of 12 to help him accept his mother's accidental death, a death for which he feels responsible. It all works well as a story without becoming maudlin, due in no small part to director Peter O'Fallon and his sterling cast. Not only does this damaged child find solace about the question of death, his wonderfully colorful mentor Maddy teaches him about music, about living, about forgiving. The musical score is beautifully enhancing in the form of Mozart (Symphony No. 39, a two piano sonata, and the exquisite choral Ave Verum Corpus). The physical settings are magnificent, the camera work, set dressing, editing, and of course the luminous gifts of actor Vanessa Redgrave all make this a film worth seeing and owning. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Where has this been hiding?
Review: A RUMOR OF ANGELS - a film I don't recall seeing advertised for theater public consumption - is like that rare find on a misty beachcoming afternoon. Here is a story so simple yet so rich that it should be viewed by a much larger audience. Yes, Vanessa Redgrave fans will of course pick up the DVD on the merits of her enormous gifts as an actress. Or perhaps word of mouth will spread the news that someone cared enough to make a life-affirming film in the midst of all the action/implosion noisemakers. Very simply, the film is based on a book 'Messages from a Soldier to his Mother' that opens the window to the concept of what happens to us when we die. The journal kept by Redgraves' character ( Maddy Bennett, a gnarly old woman who is a loner but sensitively in touch with her take on this world and the one after) is eventually shared with an emotionally devastated boy of 12 to help him accept his mother's accidental death, a death for which he feels responsible. It all works well as a story without becoming maudlin, due in no small part to director Peter O'Fallon and his sterling cast. Not only does this damaged child find solace about the question of death, his wonderfully colorful mentor Maddy teaches him about music, about living, about forgiving. The musical score is beautifully enhancing in the form of Mozart (Symphony No. 39, a two piano sonata, and the exquisite choral Ave Verum Corpus). The physical settings are magnificent, the camera work, set dressing, editing, and of course the luminous gifts of actor Vanessa Redgrave all make this a film worth seeing and owning. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: a rumor of angels
Review: A wonderful movie with a great cast, especially Vanessa Redgrave. However, I have never seen or heard of the young man, Trevor Morgan. He was brilliant & sorry to say stole the show even from under my favorite Vanessa Redgrave. This young man is a natural and was wondering what Hollywod has in store for him and what else can I see him in.
Rating: 
Summary: Warm, but too predictable
Review: Having lost a child, this was not the easiest movie to watch. Vanessa Redgrave was wonderful, she is able to project a warmth and love that never becomes cloying. Uncle Charlie was great fun but I never could get it straight as to where he fit in. The other roles were well played without ever really engaging me. The ending I found to be quite horrible. This is where the movie became an exercise in predictability and turned sharply to the maudlin and nice. Death may not be a horror to the dead, but it certainly is for the living and this movie ultimately fails to realize this.
Rating: 
Summary: Lacked a Sense of Magic
Review: I enjoyed this film, but while watching I kept thinking that what was needed was the sense of wonder that Steven Spielberg brings to many of his films. Vanessa Redgrave co-stars in this film, "Rumor Of Angels", and she is much better that the limits the character placed upon her. She is striking with her white hair and ice blue eyes, and visually was perfect for her character. The young boy, Colin Rogers, in the film was very good, and when he was onscreen Ray Liotta was good but seemed to be a bit miscast. The performer that got the most from his role was Ron Livingston playing the perennial superficially slow, but incisive role.The movie was best when it had only the elderly woman and the boy she was teaching on screen. When other characters appeared that often seemed to be more of an intrusion, and their reason for interceding often seemed weak. The ending was a bit of a stretch and was the type of scene that separates spectacular direction from the mainstream. Handled well it would have been a very moving moment, handled as it was it came close to generating a chuckle, which was most definitely not the response the director was searching for.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie
Review: I just saw this movie on television recently. I'm convinced Vanessa Redgrave will be just as strong and commanding when she's 90. She was incredible in this part. I agreed with another reviewer that the best scenes were between her and the boy, and the other characters just left you feeling a little annoyed (except for the uncle--he was funny). The stepmother was just a little "too concerned" to be believable. And what father loses his wife, get re-married & then stays gone 98% of the time? The ending also kind of sucked. I didn't care about the "communication from beyond"--I just wanted them to go on & keep being friends.
Rating:
Summary: A Rumor of Angels
Review: I never heard of this movie until I flew to Australia. To fight the boredom of a long flight I watched the movie. I loved it and cannot believe it has not come to theatres where I live. I watched it again on my return to the states and was not sorry. It is a story with compassion, lessons on life, hope, and love. I will watch again.
Rating:
Summary: surprising and beautiful...
Review: I saw this film while flying to London from San Francisco. I'd never heard of it before, was curious, and it hooked me. I ended up watching it twice and then buying the DVD ... It's a bit of a tear jerker, heart warming variety, but I think Vanessa Redgrave does a superb performance and there's something in it that resonates, makes me enjoy watching it over and over. I'll have to pick up the book that it's drawn from.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best
Review: I will not even try to analyze this movie; I bought it on impulse because it starred Ms. Redgrave. If you are at all in touch with the spiritual side of your existence (notice I did not say religious) you will absolutely love this movie. And you will cry. And then you will feel better. And then you'll probably watch it again. It's based on a book (can't find it) "Messages From A Soldier to His Mother". If you know where to get the book, email me.
Rating:
Summary: Take a friend and a box of kleenex!
Review: If you have lost a loved one, this movie will give you a chance to grieve further, and end up with hope. Very touching. It was visually beautiful. And Vanessa Redgrave was worth the price of the ticket. For those women in the "invisible years" she is an inspiration (tho I never cared for her politics.)
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