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
Customer Reviews:
fabulous.......2007-10-04
Absolutely fabulous, everyone should read this, every page is shocking, and i cant wait to read the next one "tis"
Cinematic version was a tough act to follow after the book.......2007-09-10
The trouble with making a movie out of a Pulitzer Prize winning book is that no matter how good and true to the book it is, it will usually be a disappointment. This has a lot to do with the difference between reading a story and seeing one. When one reads a book, it is usually done over time, perhaps a week or two. The words stir the imagination and the scenes described become images, usually more illusory than real. There is plenty of time for this process to work. A film, in contrast, is viewed over a period of about two hours, where the viewer is perceiving rather than imagining. The portrayals are well defined and no matter how creative the director, it is very difficult to create scenes that equal those of readers who have previously conjured fantastic images in their heads.
I believe this is the reason this film was such a disappointment to so many viewers who had read the book. Thankfully, I saw the film first, so I had no preconceived notions. With that fresh perspective, I must say that it was outstanding.
How Easy We Have It Today !.......2005-09-14
A moving,sad and the most beautiful film I have ever seen. I read that it was difficult to be a poverty stricken family in the 1930s - It was even harder being an Irish Family - and even worse being a Catholic Family. So brilliant and lifelike. Like a poor Billy Elliot but with death, sadness and some of the most laughable boy toilet humour I have ever seen. We can all associate in some way with this film. Watch it and you will see how easy life really is! I will never forget this film or the struggle these poor families were up against.
One of the greatest Irish films ever.......2005-06-30
I don't need to say much since the other reviews say everything for me. I would only say that this is a real down-to-earth, gritty and fair portrayal of the terrible hardships of the Irish. This is certainly no rom-com and not for the idle viewer. It is surely a masterpiece and a film that deserves the appreciation and acclaim that it has already receieved.
Fine film, no schmaltz.......2005-02-27
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.
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
Customer Reviews:
fabulous.......2007-10-04
Absolutely fabulous, everyone should read this, every page is shocking, and i cant wait to read the next one "tis"
Cinematic version was a tough act to follow after the book.......2007-09-10
The trouble with making a movie out of a Pulitzer Prize winning book is that no matter how good and true to the book it is, it will usually be a disappointment. This has a lot to do with the difference between reading a story and seeing one. When one reads a book, it is usually done over time, perhaps a week or two. The words stir the imagination and the scenes described become images, usually more illusory than real. There is plenty of time for this process to work. A film, in contrast, is viewed over a period of about two hours, where the viewer is perceiving rather than imagining. The portrayals are well defined and no matter how creative the director, it is very difficult to create scenes that equal those of readers who have previously conjured fantastic images in their heads.
I believe this is the reason this film was such a disappointment to so many viewers who had read the book. Thankfully, I saw the film first, so I had no preconceived notions. With that fresh perspective, I must say that it was outstanding.
How Easy We Have It Today !.......2005-09-14
A moving,sad and the most beautiful film I have ever seen. I read that it was difficult to be a poverty stricken family in the 1930s - It was even harder being an Irish Family - and even worse being a Catholic Family. So brilliant and lifelike. Like a poor Billy Elliot but with death, sadness and some of the most laughable boy toilet humour I have ever seen. We can all associate in some way with this film. Watch it and you will see how easy life really is! I will never forget this film or the struggle these poor families were up against.
One of the greatest Irish films ever.......2005-06-30
I don't need to say much since the other reviews say everything for me. I would only say that this is a real down-to-earth, gritty and fair portrayal of the terrible hardships of the Irish. This is certainly no rom-com and not for the idle viewer. It is surely a masterpiece and a film that deserves the appreciation and acclaim that it has already receieved.
Fine film, no schmaltz.......2005-02-27
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.
![Angela's Ashes [2000] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/2161PVFQRGL.jpg)
Average customer rating:
- fabulous
- Cinematic version was a tough act to follow after the book
- How Easy We Have It Today !
- One of the greatest Irish films ever
- Fine film, no schmaltz
|
Angela's Ashes [2000] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Starring:
Robert Carlyle ,
Liam Carney ,
Eanna Mac Liam ,
Pauline McLynn , and
Ronnie Masterson
Director:
Alan Parker
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Video
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Angela's Ashes (Scholastic ELT Reader) (Scholastic ELT Reader)
ASIN: 0792163087
Release Date: 2000-07-18
![Angela's Ashes [2000] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://www.bill88.com/buy.gif) |
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
Customer Reviews:
fabulous.......2007-10-04
Absolutely fabulous, everyone should read this, every page is shocking, and i cant wait to read the next one "tis"
Cinematic version was a tough act to follow after the book.......2007-09-10
The trouble with making a movie out of a Pulitzer Prize winning book is that no matter how good and true to the book it is, it will usually be a disappointment. This has a lot to do with the difference between reading a story and seeing one. When one reads a book, it is usually done over time, perhaps a week or two. The words stir the imagination and the scenes described become images, usually more illusory than real. There is plenty of time for this process to work. A film, in contrast, is viewed over a period of about two hours, where the viewer is perceiving rather than imagining. The portrayals are well defined and no matter how creative the director, it is very difficult to create scenes that equal those of readers who have previously conjured fantastic images in their heads.
I believe this is the reason this film was such a disappointment to so many viewers who had read the book. Thankfully, I saw the film first, so I had no preconceived notions. With that fresh perspective, I must say that it was outstanding.
How Easy We Have It Today !.......2005-09-14
A moving,sad and the most beautiful film I have ever seen. I read that it was difficult to be a poverty stricken family in the 1930s - It was even harder being an Irish Family - and even worse being a Catholic Family. So brilliant and lifelike. Like a poor Billy Elliot but with death, sadness and some of the most laughable boy toilet humour I have ever seen. We can all associate in some way with this film. Watch it and you will see how easy life really is! I will never forget this film or the struggle these poor families were up against.
One of the greatest Irish films ever.......2005-06-30
I don't need to say much since the other reviews say everything for me. I would only say that this is a real down-to-earth, gritty and fair portrayal of the terrible hardships of the Irish. This is certainly no rom-com and not for the idle viewer. It is surely a masterpiece and a film that deserves the appreciation and acclaim that it has already receieved.
Fine film, no schmaltz.......2005-02-27
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.
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
Customer Reviews:
fabulous.......2007-10-04
Absolutely fabulous, everyone should read this, every page is shocking, and i cant wait to read the next one "tis"
Cinematic version was a tough act to follow after the book.......2007-09-10
The trouble with making a movie out of a Pulitzer Prize winning book is that no matter how good and true to the book it is, it will usually be a disappointment. This has a lot to do with the difference between reading a story and seeing one. When one reads a book, it is usually done over time, perhaps a week or two. The words stir the imagination and the scenes described become images, usually more illusory than real. There is plenty of time for this process to work. A film, in contrast, is viewed over a period of about two hours, where the viewer is perceiving rather than imagining. The portrayals are well defined and no matter how creative the director, it is very difficult to create scenes that equal those of readers who have previously conjured fantastic images in their heads.
I believe this is the reason this film was such a disappointment to so many viewers who had read the book. Thankfully, I saw the film first, so I had no preconceived notions. With that fresh perspective, I must say that it was outstanding.
How Easy We Have It Today !.......2005-09-14
A moving,sad and the most beautiful film I have ever seen. I read that it was difficult to be a poverty stricken family in the 1930s - It was even harder being an Irish Family - and even worse being a Catholic Family. So brilliant and lifelike. Like a poor Billy Elliot but with death, sadness and some of the most laughable boy toilet humour I have ever seen. We can all associate in some way with this film. Watch it and you will see how easy life really is! I will never forget this film or the struggle these poor families were up against.
One of the greatest Irish films ever.......2005-06-30
I don't need to say much since the other reviews say everything for me. I would only say that this is a real down-to-earth, gritty and fair portrayal of the terrible hardships of the Irish. This is certainly no rom-com and not for the idle viewer. It is surely a masterpiece and a film that deserves the appreciation and acclaim that it has already receieved.
Fine film, no schmaltz.......2005-02-27
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.
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![Angela's Ashes [2000]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21Q3JRSQXWL.jpg)
![Angela's Ashes [2000]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21617WS5ZDL.jpg)