Angela's Ashes is a 1999 Irish-American drama film based on the memoir of the same name by Frank McCourt. It was co-written and directed by Alan Parker, and starred Emily Watson, Robert Carlyle, Joe Breen, Ciaran Owens, and Michael Legge, the latter three playing the Young, Middle and Older Frank McCourt respectively.
Overview
Angela's Ashes tells the story of Frank McCourt and his childhood after his family are forced to move from United States back to Ireland because of financial difficulties and family problems caused by his father's alcoholism. The film chronicles young McCourt's life in Limerick, Ireland, during his childhood in the 1930s and 1940s, the difficulties that arose, and Frank's way of earning enough money to return to the land of his dreams: America.
Cast
Production
Although set in Limerick, many street scenes were filmed in Cork. For example, the 'fleas in the mattress' scene was filmed at Farren Street, Blackpool and other scenes were shot at Roche's Buildings, Lr John Street, and Barrack Street.
Reception
With an estimated $25 million budget, the film grossed $13,042,112 in the U.S., making it a box office bomb.
Angela's Ashes currently holds a 52% 'rotten' rating on review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes, and the 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" (though the audience rating is considerably higher, at 82%.) However, Michael Legge was praised for his portrayal of the adolescent Frank. In particular, he was said to excel in his role as an innocent teenager growing up with typical coming of age rites involving sexuality, maturity and peer pressure in a Catholic Irish setting.
Awards
- Nominee Best Original Score - Academy Awards (John Williams)
- Nominee Best Original Score - Golden Globes (John Williams)
- Nominee Best Actress - BAFTA (Emily Watson)
- Nominee Best Cinematography - BAFTA (Michael Seresin)
- Nominee Best Production Design - BAFTA (Geoffrey Kirkland)
- Nominee Best British Film - Empire Awards
- Nominee Best British Actor - Empire Awards (Robert Carlyle)
- Winner Best Picture - Irish Film and Television Awards
- Winner Best Costume Design - Irish Film and Television Awards (Consolata Boyle)
- Nominee Best Actress - Irish Film and Television Awards (Emily Watson)
- Nominee Best Actor - Irish Film and Television Awards (Robert Carlyle)
- Winner Best Director - Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Audience Award) (Alan Parker)
- Winner Best Original Score - Las Vegas Film Critics Society (John Williams)
- Nominee Newcomer of Year - London Film Critics Circle (Michael Legge)
- Winner Best Actress - London Film Critics Circle (Emily Watson)
Soundtrack
The film soundtrack was composed and conducted by John Williams, and features songs by Billie Holiday and Sinéad O'Connor. Williams was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Score in 2000 for his score.
References
External links
- Angela's Ashes at the Internet Movie Database
- Angela's Ashes at AllMovie
- Angela's Ashes at Box Office Mojo
- Angela's Ashes at Rotten Tomatoes
- Angela's Ashes at Metacritic