Angela's Ashes

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Angela's Ashes

R

2000

2h 25m

History

Drama

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

52%

Tomatometer

84 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In 1935 when it is more common for Irish families to leave their famine-stricken country for America, the impoverished McCourt family does the reverse. Following the sudden death of her 7-week-old daughter, Angela (Emily Watson) and her unemployable, alcoholic husband, Malachy Sr. (Robert Carlyle), set sail from New York Harbor to Cork with their four children.

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Critics Consensus

In spite of its attempts to accurately record Frank McCourt's memoirs, the onscreen adaptation fails to capture any of the drama or humor of his life.

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Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

Primitive peoples, or so it's said, resist being photographed, believing that the creation of an image robs them of their souls. A quaint notion, perhaps, but how else can you explain what's happened to Angela's Ashes?

Rated: 3/5

Jan 1, 2000

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Angela's Ashes is the soggiest dud of all the major holiday releases.

Rated: C-

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Steven Rosen

Denver Post

Lacks the magnificence of his book, but it is worth seeing.

Jan 1, 2000

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Tom Cassidy

Common Sense Media

Seeing the bleak, rainy, flooded slums of 1930s Ireland through the eyes of the young lead character, we're spared the total despair of his parent's grief and sometimes find fun in the dirtiest corners of the drab streets.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 1, 2021

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Patricia Hluchy

Maclean's Magazine

One of the film's strengths is the art direction: never has back-lane Ireland looked so festering, sombre and raindrenched.

Oct 14, 2019

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

A tedious, vastly disappointing film that does not do justice to the wonderful and touching book upon which it is based.

Rated: C

Mar 17, 2011

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Audience Member

One of my favorite book's! Even though I feel like the book and the movie are completely different, it still was an Amazing movie! Definitely recommend watching!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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dane m

Critics: 51%?? Audience: 81% What is wrong with the critics? They complain about it not being honest enough. Bullcarp. Read the book first. Then watch it. You'll get the gist of the misery and hopelessness. Alan Parker knows Ireland and the people who live and barely live in it. I loved it. And I'm only half Irish.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

I loved it. It was absolutely amazing to watch.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Audience Member

I have seen it - I remember very little of it but I remember being moved by the story and the drama

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/19/20

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Audience Member

Very distressing tale of a young Irish lad growing up in poverty in Ireland prior to WW2. Must see all-round for the performances and musical score.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/10/20

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Audience Member

Riveting attempt at translating the grim conditions in Ireland (at that time) to film. Even children sit transfixed as they watch the McCourt family in Limerick.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

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Alan Parker

Director

Emily Watson

Angela McCourt

Robert Carlyle

Malachy McCourt Sr.

Joe Breen

Young Francis "Frank" McCourt

Ciaran Owens

Middle Francis "Frank" McCourt

Michael Legge

Older Francis "Frank" McCourt

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Synopsis

In 1935 when it is more common for Irish families to leave their famine-stricken country for America, the impoverished McCourt family does the reverse. Following the sudden death of her 7-week-old daughter, Angela (Emily Watson) and her unemployable, alcoholic husband, Malachy Sr. (Robert Carlyle), set sail from New York Harbor to Cork with their four children.

Director: Alan Parker
Producer: David Brown, Alan Parker, Scott Rudin
Screenwriter: Frank McCourt, Laura Jones, Alan Parker
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: David Brown Productions, Scott Rudin Productions, Dirty Hands Productions
Rating: R (Strong Language|Sexual Content)
Genre: History, Drama, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 21, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 18, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.0M
Runtime: 2h 25m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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