Orphans

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Orphans

Released Mar 10, 1998

1h 41m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

47%

Tomatometer

19 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Glasgow is a tough town with a strong sense of community, where wit and compassion are as essential as knowing pub etiquette, especially for four siblings who must deal with their mother's death. Through their mourning, the three egocentric brothers create chaos for themselves and their fragile sister, who finds herself alone amongst her family as they all explore the limits of sin and forgiveness.

Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

My guess is that Mullan never decided what tone his film should aim for; he fell in love with individual sequences without asking how they fit together.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Marc Savlov

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 4.5/5

Jan 1, 2000

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Frank Swietek

One Guy's Opinion

Rated: C

Jul 24, 2006

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Film Threat

Rated: 2.5/5

Dec 6, 2005

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Aug 8, 2005

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Audience Member

After a difficult start it is dark humour at its best. And darkest.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This was a recommendation from a group of friends whose taste in films, is the polar opposite to mine. This was no exception. The film is slow paced, with a few very comical scenes, Glasweigan humour, and some exceptionally strong language. Don't know what all the fuss is about. Glad I got the chance to see it, but will probably never watch it again.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This film is a masterpiece. Another one the "critics" loved to trash, but has become nothing less than legendary over time. I can't think of a single film even remotely similar. One of my Top 10 of all time. Scotland Forever!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

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Frances H

Very strange, but also strangely fascinating and touching Scots film about four siblings rather extreme reactions to their mother's death and trying to deal with their grief. Extremely well acted.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/13/14

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Audience Member

Excellent! The first 10 minutes are boring, then....

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Superb bittersweet tale of life in Glasgow.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

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Peter Mullan

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Synopsis

Glasgow is a tough town with a strong sense of community, where wit and compassion are as essential as knowing pub etiquette, especially for four siblings who must deal with their mother's death. Through their mourning, the three egocentric brothers create chaos for themselves and their fragile sister, who finds herself alone amongst her family as they all explore the limits of sin and forgiveness.

Director: Peter Mullan
Producer: Frances Higson
Screenwriter: Peter Mullan
Distributor: Shooting Gallery
Production Co: Glasgow Film Fund, Scottish Arts Council
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 10, 1998, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 10, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $49.5K
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Stereo