Rating: 
Summary: immensely likeable little fim
Review: "Agnes Browne" is a genuine charmer, a simple, but heartwarming comedy/drama directed by and starring the magnificent Anjelica Huston. Set in a lower class Dublin neighborhood in 1967, the story centers around Agnes, an attractive woman whose husband has just died leaving her sole provider for her seven children, ranging in age from early adolescence to diaper-wetting toddler. With the love of her best friend, Marion, to support her (this almost seems to be more of a love story between them than between Agnes and Pierre, the local Frenchman who falls for her), Agnes learns to cope with financial set backs, the neighborhood extortionist, the growing pains of her children and, most tragically, the terminal illness of someone very dear to her heart."Agnes Browne" could have emerged as a heavy-handed wallow in tragedy and bathos, but those involved both in front of and behind the cameras have managed to maintain an air of breezy likeability even in the film's darkest moments. If there is a criticism to be leveled against the movie, it would probably be that the film is actually - at a mere 92-minute running time - a bit too short. We occasionally feel we are being rushed from one event to another without time for proper reflection. Moreover, a number of the characters - prime among them Pierre and several of the children - tend to get lost in the shuffle. As the silent, sensitive and understanding merchant who woos and wins Agnes, Pierre simply seems too much like the "ideal man" stereotype who always seems to be just waiting in the wings the moment one of these attractive but harried movie widows/divorcees is starting life anew out on her own. A much more well rounded and three-dimensional character is that of Agnes' best friend, Marion, (beautifully portrayed by Marion O'Dwyer), a warmhearted, fun-loving woman who provides the kind of confidant and companion that all of us would love to have in our lives. But the real selling point of "Agnes Browne" is, undoubtedly, the luminous performance delivered by Anjelica Huston herself. This fine actress manages to flow seamlessly in and out of a wide variety of emotionally demanding moods and moments. Stern and demanding one moment, she can be forgiving and loving the next. Whether alternately strong or vulnerable, idealistic or pragmatic, heartbroken or joyful, Agnes is a character who demands and earns the complete attention and respect from the audience who can't help but be riveted by her every move. With her glowing portrayal, Huston literally lights up the center of this movie. Yes, the fairy tale ending may seem a bit out of place perhaps. Yet, in a way, for all its moments of death, heartbreak and sorrow, "Agnes Browne" never really aspires to be anything BUT a charming fairy tale. Given the quality of so much of what we see up on the screen, we really couldn't ask for more.
Rating:
Summary: immensely likeable little fim
Review: "Agnes Browne" is a genuine charmer, a simple, but heartwarming comedy/drama directed by and starring the magnificent Anjelica Huston. Set in a lower class Dublin neighborhood in 1967, the story centers around Agnes, an attractive woman whose husband has just died leaving her sole provider for her seven children, ranging in age from early adolescence to diaper-wetting toddler. With the love of her best friend, Marion, to support her (this almost seems to be more of a love story between them than between Agnes and Pierre, the local Frenchman who falls for her), Agnes learns to cope with financial set backs, the neighborhood extortionist, the growing pains of her children and, most tragically, the terminal illness of someone very dear to her heart. "Agnes Browne" could have emerged as a heavy-handed wallow in tragedy and bathos, but those involved both in front of and behind the cameras have managed to maintain an air of breezy likeability even in the film's darkest moments. If there is a criticism to be leveled against the movie, it would probably be that the film is actually - at a mere 92-minute running time - a bit too short. We occasionally feel we are being rushed from one event to another without time for proper reflection. Moreover, a number of the characters - prime among them Pierre and several of the children - tend to get lost in the shuffle. As the silent, sensitive and understanding merchant who woos and wins Agnes, Pierre simply seems too much like the "ideal man" stereotype who always seems to be just waiting in the wings the moment one of these attractive but harried movie widows/divorcees is starting life anew out on her own. A much more well rounded and three-dimensional character is that of Agnes' best friend, Marion, (beautifully portrayed by Marion O'Dwyer), a warmhearted, fun-loving woman who provides the kind of confidant and companion that all of us would love to have in our lives. But the real selling point of "Agnes Browne" is, undoubtedly, the luminous performance delivered by Anjelica Huston herself. This fine actress manages to flow seamlessly in and out of a wide variety of emotionally demanding moods and moments. Stern and demanding one moment, she can be forgiving and loving the next. Whether alternately strong or vulnerable, idealistic or pragmatic, heartbroken or joyful, Agnes is a character who demands and earns the complete attention and respect from the audience who can't help but be riveted by her every move. With her glowing portrayal, Huston literally lights up the center of this movie. Yes, the fairy tale ending may seem a bit out of place perhaps. Yet, in a way, for all its moments of death, heartbreak and sorrow, "Agnes Browne" never really aspires to be anything BUT a charming fairy tale. Given the quality of so much of what we see up on the screen, we really couldn't ask for more.
Rating: 
Summary: They don't get any better than this!!!
Review: Agnes Browne has to be one of my all time favorite movies. I have watched this numerous times and walk away each time with something new. It's about friendship, life, struggles...and Angelica Houston is just so fabulous. WOW! I laughed and cried so much throughout the movie, I went throught tissue after tissue. Watch with you're best girlfriend. I know I sent a copy to mine. I also own one and bought another for my Mother. A movie that just really stayed with me.
Rating:
Summary: A realistic look at life in Dublin in the '60s
Review: Agnes Browne is one of my favorite Irish films of all time. Set in Dublin in 1967, it is about the struggles of Agnes, played by Academy Award winner Angelica Huston, who also directed the film, A Moore Street fruit and veg stand vendor, whose husband dies in an auto accident, and she is left to raise their seven children. Anjelica had much of her early education in Ireland, so she knows about Irish life, and made sure that her film was loaded with realism. My wife was born and raised in Ireland, and says that Anjelica's Dublin accent was flawless. She was not so kind about other American acresses, playing Irish parts, like Julia Roberts in "Michael Collins," or Cameron Diaz in "Gangs of New York." The language in this film might seem a little strong to somw viewers, but it is very realistic for Dubliners, so it adds to the film's quest to just "Tell it like it is." Huston surrounded herself with experienced Irish actors, led by Marion O'Dwyer, who plays her best friend and fellow street vendor Marion. The friendship between these two is one of the highlights of this amazing film, but the interaction between the two of them with other venders carries a lot of weight also. In her situation, Agnes was bound to have financial problems, and went to local gangster "Mister Billy," who thinks nothing of dealing with children and has an unorthodox collection system, and no sympathy for the poor souls he lends money to. Overall, this film keeps drawing you in, and makes you want more, which is why you feel kind of sorry when it ends, because you want it to continue. My wife and I watch Agnes Browne whenever we need a pick-me-up, and we always feel better after watching it.
Rating:
Summary: We Love Agnes and Anjelica, Too
Review: Agnes Browne is so fine from beginning to end it will give you a prolonged organism (if you don't understand thst, view the video for a clue).
Rating:
Summary: AGNES BROWNE!
Review: ANJELICA HUSTON not only stars but also DIRECTS this 1999 film based on BRENDAN O'CARROLL's Irish novel "The Mammy"! "AGNES BROWNE" is the story of a woman who tries to find herself after her husband dies! Set in the late 1960's, we watch as this WIDOW struggles to not only create a NEW LIFE for herself but to raise SEVEN CHILDREN! This is a FUNNY but also TENDER drama. MARION O'DWYER and RAY WINSTONE stand out in the supporting cast! Special Note: TOM JONES appears in this one as himself! Really!
Rating: 
Summary: Book and a movie
Review: ANJELICA HUSTON not only stars but also DIRECTS this 1999 film based on BRENDAN O'CARROLL's Irish novel "The Mammy"! "AGNES BROWNE" is the story of a woman who tries to find herself after her husband dies! Set in the late 1960's, we watch as this WIDOW struggles to not only create a NEW LIFE for herself but to raise SEVEN CHILDREN! This is a FUNNY but also TENDER drama. MARION O'DWYER and RAY WINSTONE stand out in the supporting cast! Special Note: TOM JONES appears in this one as himself! Really!
Rating:
Summary: AGNES BROWNE!
Review: ANJELICA HUSTON not only stars but also DIRECTS this 1999 film based on BRENDAN O'CARROLL's Irish novel "The Mammy"! "AGNES BROWNE" is the story of a woman who tries to find herself after her husband dies! Set in the late 1960's, we watch as this WIDOW struggles to not only create a NEW LIFE for herself but to raise SEVEN CHILDREN! This is a FUNNY but also TENDER drama. MARION O'DWYER and RAY WINSTONE stand out in the supporting cast! Special Note: TOM JONES appears in this one as himself! Really!
Rating:
Summary: If I could give it more stars I would....The year's best
Review: Having discovered Brendon OCarroll's The Mammy and The Chislers, I was delighted to hear the first book had been made into a movie with Angelica Huston. This is a wonderful movie of a woman's learning to live after the death of her husband. You suspect Agnes Brown has never asked too much of life, or her now departed husband. She struggles to survive and to keep her family fed and together. At her side are the seven children, the neighborhood and her dearest friend Marion. The friendship between the two women is the heart of this film. I was moved to tears as I watched the two of them laugh and cry, and cling to one another for support. There is also a blosseming friendship/romance with a new resident of the neighborhood, and a truly terrifying resident in the form of the local small town loanshark. Early in the film is one of the funniest funeral scenes I have ever witnessed, leaving me laughing out loud. But the heart of this movie is the elegent Angelica Huston as Agnes and the bighearted Marion, played by Marion O'Dwyer. Their friendship is the lynchpin of this film, and will make you want to call your best friend.
Rating:
Summary: Book and a movie
Review: I picked up the book "The Mammy" at a bookstore on a whim. Flipping through it to make sure it would be appropriate for a young friend, I found myself completely entertained by this woman who despite having 7 children herself, is still charmingly ignorant about "organisms". I had to read sections out loud to my family so they could figure out the reasons for my delighted chuckles. Recently and suddenly widowed, she struggles to make sure her children are taken care of and have pride in themselves. Her challenge to explain life to her children as they enter puberty, poverty and the vulnerability of being a family without an adult male are funny at times, but would be heartbreaking if we did not also feel that Agnes Browne does not WANT us to feel sorry for her or her family.
Only later did I connect this book with an Angelica Huston picture I had heard about but never seen, called "Agnes Browne". Needless to say, I had to watch it.
Initially, it was hard for me to see the patrician Ms Huston in such a downtrodden role, but eventually, I began to see her AS Agnes Browne.
Agnes' relationship with her friend Marion is one of the true great friendships of sisterhood, making it all the more hilarious in the car scene and all the more heartbreaking at the end of it.
If I had to pick at this movie at all, I would pick at the lessened extent to which her children are just as much victims of being poor and fatherless. And I was so hoping that Harry Webb (AKA Cliff Richard) would make an appearance. In the movie, Tom Jones comes to fulfill the lifelong dream of Agnes Browne. A most deserving heroine.
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