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From Amazon.co.uk
Because Frank McCourt's bestselling, Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir Angela's Ashes was dearly embraced by millions of readers, it was perhaps inevitable that Alan Parker's film version would prove somewhat disappointing. McCourt's book is blessed with subtleties of language and detailed observation that do not easily lend themselves to screen interpretation, and Parker's film suffers from an overly literal, reverently sombre approach that lacks the cumulative emotions of McCourt's account of impoverished youth in Ireland. And where McCourt was able to enliven his family's suffering with tenacious humour and fighting Irish spirit, Parker's film provides precious little uplift in the course of 145 minutes.
The film is by no means an artistic failure. While admirably avoiding sentiment, Parker is nearly peerless in his direction of children, and the three actors playing Frank at ages 7, 11, and 15 are uniformly superb. As photographed by Michael Seresin, the re-created lanes of Limerick, Ireland are almost painfully authentic in the cold, grey dampness that permeates nearly every scene (this is surely one of the wettest films ever made). As the McCourt parents--chronically depressed Angela and recklessly drunken Malachy--Emily Watson and Robert Carlyle successfully bypass the pitfalls of melodrama in a film that could have wallowed in bathos. And while Parker's anecdotal approach falls short in conveying the fullness of McCourt's experience (the director fared better with the Irish rockers of The Commitments), Angela's Ashes captures a specific time and place with vivid force, remaining loyal to the spirit of Frank McCourt's beloved tale of survival. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
Angela's Ashes is a 1999 Irish-American drama film based on the memoir of the same title by Frank McCourt. It was directed by Alan Parker and starred Emily Watson, Robert Carlyle, Joe Breen, Ciaran Owens, and Michael Legge (the latter three playing the Young, Middle and Older Frank McCourt respectively).
Angela's Ashes tells the story of Frank McCourt and his childhood after his family are forced to move from America back to Ireland because of financial difficulties and family problems derived from his father's alcoholism. The film chronicles young McCourt's life in Limerick, Ireland, during his childhood in the 1930s and 1940s, the difficulties that ensued, and finally Frank's way of earning enough money to return to the land of his dreams: America. Michael Legge was praised for his portrayal of the adolescent Frank. In particular, he was said to acquiesce his role as an innocent teenager growing up with typical coming of age rites such as sexuality, maturity and peer pressure in a Catholic Irish setting.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Andy Millward
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Over the years, there have been many books and films portraying survival through the extremes of poverty and tragedy, alcohol and death, but few manage to achieve it with such grace and lack of sentimentality. Full credit to Frank McCourt and Alan Parker for avoiding the cliches of Hollywood tearjerkers, but in particular for a vivid reconstruction of life in Limerick in the 30s and 40s, populated by humorous, complex and finely-drawn characters. In particular, Emily Watson, Robert Carlyle and the three actors playing McCourt himself emerge with tremendous credit.
In fact, I managed to avoid any tears but felt uplifted by the whole experience, not least by hearing McCourt himself commenting on the film and his memories. Watch, and be grateful for your own life.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
having read the book and not wanting to get to the end of it, I bought the movie and it was as true to the book as a movie can get. the actors especially the children were excellent. well worth the money. Maura.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By muttmummy
Format:DVD
What a dream of a film is Angela's Ashes - magical.
I saw the film BEFORE I read the wonderful book (get it now!!!) and was prepared for what you almost always get - something completely different. Not so. As the other reviewer said, the film is amazingly loyal to the book - save for the odd thing here and there, which detracts so very little from the general feel of the book which has translated so well onto the screen in this case.
Frank is just the same in the book - and the atmosphere of constant hunger, cold, damp and desperation is brought to life just as it feels in the book.
The book is more humourous in tone than the film, BUT the film still strikes a good balance I think.
In the book, you get more background into Frank's father which will help explain his actions and eventual abandonment of his family. That was the only thing with the movie - that you were left a bit unclear why or how Malachy Snr could have walked away like that. It is something of a loose end. That aside, I was captivated from the first frame to the last and this must be one of the best films I have seen in a long time.
The result is a tender, bitter-sweet, nostalogic, heartrending tale of a wee lad from Limerick caught up in shocking poverty, and such trying circumstances. How the poor lamb soldiers through it is a wonder, and you cannot get through the film (or the book) without real admiration for Frank and his family and how hard they strive to cope together.
The locations really do give the right feel to the places Frank lived and played in, and the casting is superb - especially the little guy that plays "little" Frank. Oh, he's a treasure to watch.
A must see - a must have: as is the book which you simply cannot go without reading.
Truly touching.
I saw the film BEFORE I read the wonderful book (get it now!!!) and was prepared for what you almost always get - something completely different. Not so. As the other reviewer said, the film is amazingly loyal to the book - save for the odd thing here and there, which detracts so very little from the general feel of the book which has translated so well onto the screen in this case.
Frank is just the same in the book - and the atmosphere of constant hunger, cold, damp and desperation is brought to life just as it feels in the book.
The book is more humourous in tone than the film, BUT the film still strikes a good balance I think.
In the book, you get more background into Frank's father which will help explain his actions and eventual abandonment of his family. That was the only thing with the movie - that you were left a bit unclear why or how Malachy Snr could have walked away like that. It is something of a loose end. That aside, I was captivated from the first frame to the last and this must be one of the best films I have seen in a long time.
The result is a tender, bitter-sweet, nostalogic, heartrending tale of a wee lad from Limerick caught up in shocking poverty, and such trying circumstances. How the poor lamb soldiers through it is a wonder, and you cannot get through the film (or the book) without real admiration for Frank and his family and how hard they strive to cope together.
The locations really do give the right feel to the places Frank lived and played in, and the casting is superb - especially the little guy that plays "little" Frank. Oh, he's a treasure to watch.
A must see - a must have: as is the book which you simply cannot go without reading.
Truly touching.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
emotive, enthralling and totally captivating
read the book (obv) but this is an amazing film too. watch it. You won't be disappointed! One of my Faves!
Published 2 days ago by NaomiKelly
5.0 out of 5 stars
Angela's Ashes DVD.
A truly great film, I would urge everyone to see it..Once agaain Zoverstocks fail to amaze me. Arrived before I could blink, packaging superb, and the casing and quality of the DVD... Read more
Published 13 days ago by Kleinman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really shows you what life was like in Ireland.
Being Irish myself, i heard about this film from my mother who praised it greatly, i decided to buy it online after it being about 15 years since i last saw it (i couldnt remember... Read more
Published 19 days ago by K. Short
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sad film but amazing
This is a sad film but it is wonderful. A gorgeous story of strength and I cannot fault the film. Recommend it to anyone that likes a great film!
Published 1 month ago by James Doris
5.0 out of 5 stars
Today's society should be made to watch this film.
So, very sad but top rated because it demonstrates how 'poor' really meant 'poor'. People today complain of being poor. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Satisfied customer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good service
Arrived within days, impressive service. A very good price for a brand new DVD, would order again from this company.
Published 1 month ago by Annie
4.0 out of 5 stars
very sad
shows the real story of how people struggled against poverty, also highlighted the divide between catholics and prostestants and the north south divide in ireland
Published 2 months ago by jude
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Pleased
I rated this five star as it was good quality and arrived quicker than i expected. I would recommend this product to anyone. Very pleased.
Published 2 months ago by Hannah
4.0 out of 5 stars
Film Club
I love this film, although it is sad in places it also has a funny side to it. I recommended it to our film club and it was enjoyed by everyone, Will certainly watch it again.
Published 3 months ago by Mrs Mavis Neilson
1.0 out of 5 stars
Can not compare with the book at all
I hated this dvd as I just finished reading the book Angela's ashes and dvd misses so much info that you get in the book. I was very dissapointed.
Published 3 months ago by Anna
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