The Stone Angel

R

Released Jul 11, 2008

1 hr. 55 min.

Drama

List

44%

25 Reviews

Tomatometer

58%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Hagar (Ellen Burstyn) may be 90 years old, but that doesn't mean she's ready to move into a retirement home as her son, Marvin (Dylan Baker), and his wife want her to do. Determined to keep her freedom, Hagar sets out to find her childhood home, which is now falling apart. Hiding from her family, she begins to confuse the present with the past. She recalls her doomed marriage to a poor farmer, which caused her wealthy father to disinherit her -- and reflects on a secret she's never shared.

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Critics Consensus

Despite fine performances from Ellen Burstyn and newcomer Christine Horne, The Stone Angel fails to escape formulaic melodrama territory.

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steve d

The performances are strong but something seems to have been lost in the translation from a book I couldn't put down, to an OK film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The reason I liked movie is because of the character of Hagar and her personal journey, young and old.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Just for Ellen Burstyn.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Ihana draamaelokuva... <3 (Suom. Kivienkeli)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I really loved this movie. Watched it last night. I rarely cry when I watch tear jerkers, but this one had me crying at the end. One has to be in the mood to watch it, otherwise one could find it slow. I personally loved it from beginning to end and want to watch it again. I just recently found out it is based on a novel, so I will be looking for the book as well. <3

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Outstanding portrayal by Ellen Burstyn, not the most uplifting story, but it mimics reality and such is life.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

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Kari Skogland

Director

Ellen Burstyn

Hagar

Kevin Zegers

John

Elliot Page

Arlene

Dylan Baker

Marvin

Christine Horne

Young Hagar

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David Fear

Time Out

Rated: 2/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Eddie Cockrell

Variety

A tastefully reverent, fundamentally sincere treatment of Margaret Laurence's 1964 Manitoba-based novel, a staple for Canada's 12th graders.

Oct 18, 2008

Full Review

Jeff Shannon

Seattle Times

Left me feeling respectfully indifferent, as if I'd been served a nutritious meal that was only fleetingly satisfying.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 25, 2008

Full Review

Kelly Jane Torrance

Washington Times

Miss Burstyn is the Oscar winner, and Juno star Ellen Page is getting billing beyond her screen time as the girlfriend of one of Hagar's sons, but it's newcomer Miss Horne's performance that gives the movie its soul.

Rated: 2.5/4

Dec 13, 2018

Full Review

Brian D. Johnson

Maclean's Magazine

For my taste, everything about The Stone Angel is too nailed-down and on-the-nose.

Dec 15, 2017

Full Review

Annie Wagner

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

Watching The Stone Angel is not a chore. And the ending is pure, classy melodrama-it's totally overblown, and nothing less than satisfying.

Aug 21, 2017

Full Review

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Synopsis

Hagar (Ellen Burstyn) may be 90 years old, but that doesn't mean she's ready to move into a retirement home as her son, Marvin (Dylan Baker), and his wife want her to do. Determined to keep her freedom, Hagar sets out to find her childhood home, which is now falling apart. Hiding from her family, she begins to confuse the present with the past. She recalls her doomed marriage to a poor farmer, which caused her wealthy father to disinherit her -- and reflects on a secret she's never shared.

Director: Kari Skogland
Screenwriter: Margaret Laurence, Kari Skogland
Production Co: Alliance, Buffalo Gal Pictures
Rating: R (Some Sexuality|Brief Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 11, 2008, Limited
Release Date (DVD): Oct 21, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $31.9K