I read "Angela's Ashes" last year, and I became enamored with the story. When I heard that it was going to be made into a movie directed by Alan Parker, I was counting the days until its release. I haven't been this excited to see a movie since "The Phantom Menace" was released. When I went to the theater last night to see "Angela's Ashes" I was prepared to fall in love with the story again.
I'm sad to say that I was a slightly disappointed.
Watching the film version to this wonderful story was like reading Cliff Notes to a novel: the main points are covered, but small details that made the story so touching are left out. For example, the film never mentions the little girl that Francis met while he was in the hospital for typhoid. The young lass was the one that turned Francis on to Shakespeare and gave him his love for literature. The film also doesn't portray the deep, intimate, brotherly bond between Francis and Malachy as well as the book did (Malachy was only a year or two younger than Francis and experienced many of the same hardships as Francis). The film left out the part where Francis and Malachy went out to steal groceries left on neighbor's door steps in order to feed the family. Also, the time when Angela became deathly ill which prompted the father to return from England for a visit was also left out. I could go on and on.
At first I thought Alan Parker was the perfect choice to direct this story. "Angel Heart", "Pink Floyd: The Wall", "Mississippi Burning" are great films. Yet, after I left the theater, I began to wonder how different the film might have been if Neal Jordan or Terrance Davies had directed it. Even though the film was around 2.5 hours, I still feel that Alan Parker didn't take his time. I got the feeling that Parker's heart wasn't into this film.
Nevertheless, "Angela's Ashes" stands head and shoulders over all the other films I have seen this year. The acting, especially from the kids, is outstanding. The cinematography perfectly captures the beauty and dreariness of Ireland. And although the movie wasn't detailed the way I wish it was, it is still an amazing and powerful movie. I hope it gets a slew of nominations at the Academy Awards.
I highly recommend "Angela's Ashes". 8 out of 10.
I'm sad to say that I was a slightly disappointed.
Watching the film version to this wonderful story was like reading Cliff Notes to a novel: the main points are covered, but small details that made the story so touching are left out. For example, the film never mentions the little girl that Francis met while he was in the hospital for typhoid. The young lass was the one that turned Francis on to Shakespeare and gave him his love for literature. The film also doesn't portray the deep, intimate, brotherly bond between Francis and Malachy as well as the book did (Malachy was only a year or two younger than Francis and experienced many of the same hardships as Francis). The film left out the part where Francis and Malachy went out to steal groceries left on neighbor's door steps in order to feed the family. Also, the time when Angela became deathly ill which prompted the father to return from England for a visit was also left out. I could go on and on.
At first I thought Alan Parker was the perfect choice to direct this story. "Angel Heart", "Pink Floyd: The Wall", "Mississippi Burning" are great films. Yet, after I left the theater, I began to wonder how different the film might have been if Neal Jordan or Terrance Davies had directed it. Even though the film was around 2.5 hours, I still feel that Alan Parker didn't take his time. I got the feeling that Parker's heart wasn't into this film.
Nevertheless, "Angela's Ashes" stands head and shoulders over all the other films I have seen this year. The acting, especially from the kids, is outstanding. The cinematography perfectly captures the beauty and dreariness of Ireland. And although the movie wasn't detailed the way I wish it was, it is still an amazing and powerful movie. I hope it gets a slew of nominations at the Academy Awards.
I highly recommend "Angela's Ashes". 8 out of 10.