Angela's Ashes

Angela's Ashes (1999) starring Emily Watson, Robert Carlyle, Joe Breen, Ciaran Owens, and Michael Legge.

Before...had heard about it, and had heard many good things about it. Though just before we started my wife did say that it was an extremely depressing film and I should be ready for it...this didn't fill me with confidence...

Based on the best selling autobiography by Irish expat Frank McCourt (Breen, Owens, Legge), Angela's Ashes follows the experiences of young Frankie and his family as they try against all odds to escape the poverty endemic in the slums of pre-war Limerick. The film opens with the family in Brooklyn, but following the death of one of Frankie's siblings, they return home, only to find the situation there even worse. Prejudice against Frankie's Northern Irish father (Carlyle) makes his search for employment in the Republic difficult despite his having fought for the IRA, and when he does find money, he spends the money on drink. His mother (Watson) continues to strive against all this pain and suffering and helps Frank as much as possible.

My wife's views..."Prepare yourself for some gritty reality. Piss on your head, puke on your shoes, and die on the doorstep stuff. Utterly miserable, but pretty beautiful. Kinda of like having a colonic, you really ought to watch it but it's not always pleasant. ★★★★☆"

Where to start...well see above if I am brutally honest, my wife has hit the nail on the head. The acting is gritty and realistic. Frank as he grows up turns from an excellent young actor to a rather cheesy and hammed up actor. In his youngest form (Breen) though Frank is amusing and full of emotional depth, which is very impressive for such a young actor. Carlyle gives his role the right sort of depth you would expect of such a seasoned actor, and Watson as always is fantastic in her role.

The other true star of the film is Ireland itself. Although we do not see the rolling hills of Ireland we are given a real gritty portrayal of what inner city Ireland is like, and it is not a nice one, but that all adds to the atmosphere of the piece.

A beautiful and passionate portrayal of Frank McCourt's book, it is a truly Irish Alan Parker film, the only other one that springs to mind is The Commitments, and this is a very different side of Ireland. Seemingly beautiful but dreadfully sad, be prepared with your tissues and enjoy this film that I am going to give...

★★★★☆