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Amazon.co.uk Review
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
Special Features
1.85 Wide Screen
DVD 9
German
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English German
Dolby Digital 5.1
2 Trailers
Featurette
Commentaries
Interviews
Filmographies
English
DVD 9
German
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English German
Dolby Digital 5.1
2 Trailers
Featurette
Commentaries
Interviews
Filmographies
English
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
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
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
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
introducing the kids to a good film
excellent film my family came to this country in the thirties watched this with my children and now they understand the hardship faced by past family members at times heart... Read more
Published 1 month ago by paul g
Wonderful performances but a very depressing watch
As a film I enjoyed it. The cineaography is brilliant and reminded me very much of 'Distant Voices Still Lives' in that aspect. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Gerald Urch
One of the worst films ever
I watched the DVD because I had read such wonderful reviews about it and thought that I would like it. Biggest mistake ever. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Miss R
DVD
received the DVD on time, I'd read the book and the film was just as good, DVD received in good order and time.
Published 9 months ago by dorothy
Angela's Ashes DVD
This should be a compulsory viewing for teenagers who think they are having a hard life. This is a fine portrail of the real meaning of poverty and what it takes to overcom... Read more
Published 9 months ago by A G Stayte
Uplifting -sad,funny,accurate,don't miss this one.
This is a strangely sad film,with a hilarious side to it...Never despair until you have watched what this family went through! Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mrs. D. Surrey
Excelent
This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. It totally captures what it must have been like living in the days of the consumption. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Paul
Angela's Ashes DVD
I had read and really loved the book. I was rather curious to see how the various nuances in the book had been captured on screen. The movie is a brilliant attempt to do so. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Irene Mutalima
Gripping True Life Story
A film that must be watched Its a true story of a stuggle of a Irish family and how one of the children is determined to get out of this life and better himself
Published 20 months ago by Mrs. J. Calt
Angelas Ashes DVD
Great but sad story and probably not with the happy ending you hope for, but this is Ireland and its not suprising there was no fairytale ending. Read more
Published on 9 Jan 2010 by Karen Simpson
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