Ken Loach's The Angels' Share gets underway as a hard-hitting squint at the unemployed of Glasgow before rather perversely turning into an uplifting crime caper with a Disneyesque finale. But maybe, just maybe, a little Walt is what the have-nots are crying out for right now.
Loach, who has been zeroing in on the working class for over 45 years (Poor Cow (1967); Riff-Raff (1991)), and his longtime screenwriter Paul Laverty (The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006)) have concocted a group of societal misfits who've all wound up in court and sentenced to community service.
One, Albert (Gary Maitland), is a dull-witted hard drinker who's been arrested for plummeting onto some train tracks; another, kleptomaniac Mo (Jasmine Riggins), has filched a macaw; and a third, Rhino (William Ruane), has continuously affronted public statuary, sometimes with urine. But our main Cinderella/hero here is Robbie (Paul Brannigan).
With a scar down one cheek...
Loach, who has been zeroing in on the working class for over 45 years (Poor Cow (1967); Riff-Raff (1991)), and his longtime screenwriter Paul Laverty (The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006)) have concocted a group of societal misfits who've all wound up in court and sentenced to community service.
One, Albert (Gary Maitland), is a dull-witted hard drinker who's been arrested for plummeting onto some train tracks; another, kleptomaniac Mo (Jasmine Riggins), has filched a macaw; and a third, Rhino (William Ruane), has continuously affronted public statuary, sometimes with urine. But our main Cinderella/hero here is Robbie (Paul Brannigan).
With a scar down one cheek...
- 4/9/2013
- by Brandon Judell
- www.culturecatch.com
The Angels' Share (15)
(Ken Loach, 2012, UK/Fra) Paul Brannigan, John Henshaw, Gary Maitland, Jasmin Riggins, Roger Allam, William Ruane. 101 mins
If anyone can cut it at Cannes, Ken can, and this recent surprise Jury Prize-winner sees Loach doing what he does so well: dignifying ordinary lives and chronicling social history as it happens. The tone is a little lighter this time, though, as we follow a violent young offender's potentially fruitful encounter with the whisky industry, thus bringing together the best and worst of Scotland.
Prometheus (15)
(Ridley Scott, 2012, Us) Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron. 124 mins
With all the zealous promotion and yet tight secrecy, this long-awaited Alien prequel couldn't live up to fans' expectations, could it? There's no way of telling at the time of writing, so let's just say it'll be a brilliant triumph, and a complete disaster.
The Turin Horse (15)
(Béla Tarr, 2011, Hun/Fra/Ger/Swi/Us) János Derszi,...
(Ken Loach, 2012, UK/Fra) Paul Brannigan, John Henshaw, Gary Maitland, Jasmin Riggins, Roger Allam, William Ruane. 101 mins
If anyone can cut it at Cannes, Ken can, and this recent surprise Jury Prize-winner sees Loach doing what he does so well: dignifying ordinary lives and chronicling social history as it happens. The tone is a little lighter this time, though, as we follow a violent young offender's potentially fruitful encounter with the whisky industry, thus bringing together the best and worst of Scotland.
Prometheus (15)
(Ridley Scott, 2012, Us) Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron. 124 mins
With all the zealous promotion and yet tight secrecy, this long-awaited Alien prequel couldn't live up to fans' expectations, could it? There's no way of telling at the time of writing, so let's just say it'll be a brilliant triumph, and a complete disaster.
The Turin Horse (15)
(Béla Tarr, 2011, Hun/Fra/Ger/Swi/Us) János Derszi,...
- 6/1/2012
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
Ken Loach's Whisky Galore!-influenced comedy is his most relaxed screen offering for some time
Ken Loach's new movie arrives in the UK garlanded with the Cannes Jury Prize: a freewheeling social-realist comedy caper. In many ways this is his most relaxed and successful screen offering for some time. The Angels' Share could stand as a companion piece to his Sweet Sixteen (2002) or even his early classic Kes (1969), and of course, it also draws on the Ealing film Whisky Galore! Again, Loach has used non-professionals: his leading man is newcomer Paul Brannigan, playing Robbie, a young Glasgow criminal who finds himself sentenced to repaint a community centre with a bunch of lawbreaking dopes and dorks: Mo (Jasmin Riggins), Rhino (William Ruane) and Albert (Gary Maitland). The supervisor, Harry (John Henshaw), is a kindly soul who has a connoisseur's passion for whisky, and out of the goodness of his...
Ken Loach's new movie arrives in the UK garlanded with the Cannes Jury Prize: a freewheeling social-realist comedy caper. In many ways this is his most relaxed and successful screen offering for some time. The Angels' Share could stand as a companion piece to his Sweet Sixteen (2002) or even his early classic Kes (1969), and of course, it also draws on the Ealing film Whisky Galore! Again, Loach has used non-professionals: his leading man is newcomer Paul Brannigan, playing Robbie, a young Glasgow criminal who finds himself sentenced to repaint a community centre with a bunch of lawbreaking dopes and dorks: Mo (Jasmin Riggins), Rhino (William Ruane) and Albert (Gary Maitland). The supervisor, Harry (John Henshaw), is a kindly soul who has a connoisseur's passion for whisky, and out of the goodness of his...
- 5/31/2012
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Tuesday was a typically overcast Glasgow day, but at the UK première of Ken Loach and Paul Laverty's award-winning new film at Glasgow Cineworld there was an atmosphere of celebration. The reason was clear: The Angels' Share had come home.
The film, which won the Special Jury Prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival, tells the story of a group of disadvantaged young Glaswegians, and most of the filming took place in the city. About filming in Glasgow, Ken Loach said, "It's a good city, with a great history and a great culture." Jasmin Riggins, who plays Mo, one of the young people, said, "It's a Glaswegian film. You've got to go and see it." The film showcases the city, including famous landmarks like the spectacular Necropolis cemetery.
For several members of the cast, this was their first leading rôle, and they are now being hailed as stars. Riggins loved the experience.
The film, which won the Special Jury Prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival, tells the story of a group of disadvantaged young Glaswegians, and most of the filming took place in the city. About filming in Glasgow, Ken Loach said, "It's a good city, with a great history and a great culture." Jasmin Riggins, who plays Mo, one of the young people, said, "It's a Glaswegian film. You've got to go and see it." The film showcases the city, including famous landmarks like the spectacular Necropolis cemetery.
For several members of the cast, this was their first leading rôle, and they are now being hailed as stars. Riggins loved the experience.
- 5/31/2012
- by Seph Shewell Brockway
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Flying the Great British flag at the Cannes Film Festival this year, Ken Loach’s The Angels’ Share was the only British film in competition at this year’s event – and the feature was rather well-received, taking home the prestigious Jury Prize – the third most prominent, and one that has been awarded to widely renowned films such as All About Eve, The Seventh Seal and Festen in the past.
Set in Glasgow, Scotland, we follow the trials and tribulations of trouble-maker Robbie (Paul Brannigan) – desperately attempting to form a new life for himself with his girlfriend (Siobhan Reilly) and newly born child, as he narrowly escapes a jail sentence following a violent string of attacks. Although vying for a way out, trouble just can’t seem to leave him alone, and Robbie is sent to complete a community service order, where he meets a group of like-minded people, also vowing...
Set in Glasgow, Scotland, we follow the trials and tribulations of trouble-maker Robbie (Paul Brannigan) – desperately attempting to form a new life for himself with his girlfriend (Siobhan Reilly) and newly born child, as he narrowly escapes a jail sentence following a violent string of attacks. Although vying for a way out, trouble just can’t seem to leave him alone, and Robbie is sent to complete a community service order, where he meets a group of like-minded people, also vowing...
- 5/29/2012
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Sundance Selects has acquired the Us rights to Ken Loach's "The Angel's Share," which screened at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this week. The deal for the film was negotiated by Arianna Bocco, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions & Productions for Sundance Selects/IFC Films with Carole Baraton of Wild Bunch on behalf of the filmmakers. Full press release below. Cannes (May 24, 2012) – Sundance Selects announced today from the 2012 Cannes Film Festival that the company is acquiring all Us rights to The Angels' Share directed by Palme d'Or winner Ken Loach (The Wind That Shakes The Barley) and written by Paul Laverty. The film was produced by Rebecca O'Brien (Sixteen Films) and executive produced by Pascal Caucheteux (Why Not Productions) and Vincent Maraval (Wild Bunch). The film stars Paul Brannigan, Siobhan Reilly, John Henshaw, Gary Maitland, William Ruane, Jasmin Riggins and Roger Allam. The film had its...
- 5/24/2012
- by Peter Knegt
- Indiewire
Ken Loach's understated comedy uncasks a taste of something real for our times
Ken Loach's latest collaboration with screenwriter Paul Laverty is warm, funny and good-natured. It's a freewheeling social-realist caper – unworldly and at times almost childlike. Loach has for my money found a happy comic register – happier, I think, than his Looking for Eric – and it is an unfashionably uncynical and unironic kind of comedy. In many ways this is his most relaxed and successful screen offering for some time. The Angels' Share could stand as a companion piece to Loach's Sweet Sixteen (2002) or even his early classic Kes (1969). Of course, it also draws upon the Ealing picture Whisky Galore: an apparently gentle comedy with a harder edge than at first appears.
Again, Loach has used non-professionals and first-timers: his leading man is newcomer Paul Brannigan, playing Robbie, a violent young Glasgow criminal on an assault...
Ken Loach's latest collaboration with screenwriter Paul Laverty is warm, funny and good-natured. It's a freewheeling social-realist caper – unworldly and at times almost childlike. Loach has for my money found a happy comic register – happier, I think, than his Looking for Eric – and it is an unfashionably uncynical and unironic kind of comedy. In many ways this is his most relaxed and successful screen offering for some time. The Angels' Share could stand as a companion piece to Loach's Sweet Sixteen (2002) or even his early classic Kes (1969). Of course, it also draws upon the Ealing picture Whisky Galore: an apparently gentle comedy with a harder edge than at first appears.
Again, Loach has used non-professionals and first-timers: his leading man is newcomer Paul Brannigan, playing Robbie, a violent young Glasgow criminal on an assault...
- 5/22/2012
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.