Angela's Ashes (1999)

**BoldHighlander** · 17th February 08, 05:18 PM

Though a very brief part of the film, who could forget this truely wonderful scene from Angela's Ashes when Frankie is sent to learn Irish step dancing?

You even get to see a couple lads wearing saffron kilts, and another in green!

**Marshal Moroni** · 17th February 08, 05:33 PM

Nice still, I'm unfamiliar with the film. Did you enjoy it?

Cheers,

Marshal Moroni

**BoldHighlander** · 17th February 08, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by Marshal Moroni

Nice still, I'm unfamiliar with the film. Did you enjoy it?

Cheers,

Marshal Moroni

I did, however it's a tough film to watch, very sad story. A wee bit of background (from imbd.com):

Based on the best selling autobiography by Irish expat Frank McCourt, Angela's Ashes follows the experiences of young Frankie and his family as they try against all odds to escape the poverty endemic in the slums of pre-war Limerick. The film opens with the family in Brooklyn, but following the death of one of Frankie's siblings, they return home, only to find the situation there even worse. Prejudice against Frankie's Northern Irish father makes his search for employment in the Republic difficult despite his having fought for the IRA, and when he does find money, he spends the money on drink.

The scene I posted is one of the more light hearted moments

**McClef** · 18th February 08, 02:57 AM

It's a hard film to watch but I have the DVD and must dig out that sequence as I must have missed it.

**BoldHighlander** · 18th February 08, 03:11 AM

As an aside, Emily Watson (Angela McCourt in the film) also portrayed the mother in the recent film "The Waterhorse".

**Ian.MacAllan** · 18th February 08, 12:41 PM

Angela's Ashes is truly a roller-coaster story, cycling between hilarious and appalling, and occasionally making a full cycle in less than a single page. I caught only a fraction of the movie on cable, not enough even to figure out who Angela was, so I can't attest to how faithful to McCourt's "memento" it was. But I have read the book and can assure you that if you can harden your heart enough to get through the appalling parts you'll find the story as a whole inspiring.

Incidentally, I was surprised at how well-dressed Frankie is in the photo in post #1. The costumer probably was obliged to work from the screenplay, not the text of the book.

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