The Angels' Share (2012)
Genre: Drama / Comedy
Duration: 101 minuten
Country:
United Kingdom / France / Belgium / Italy
Directed by: Ken Loach
Stars: Paul Brannigan, Siobhan Reilly and John Henshaw
IMDb score:
7,0 (27.632)
Releasedate: 1 June 2012
The Angels' Share plot
"Four Friends. One Mission. Lots of Spirit."
Robbie sneaks into the maternity hospital to visit his young girlfriend Leonie and hold his newborn son Luke for the first time. Overwhelmed by the moment, he swears that Luke won't have the same tragic life he had. He was narrowly imprisoned and now he gets one last chance. During his community service, he meets Rhino, Albert and Mo, who, like him, find it impossible to find work because of their criminal record. Robbie could have guessed that booze would change his life forever – not cheap table wine, but the best malt whiskey in the world. His newfound talent – fine taste and delicate nose – combined with a dash of guts leads Robbie and his friends to the strange world of fresh air and open space, the Scottish Highlands, and the biggest gamble of their lives.
Reviews & comments
Onderhond
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- 87451 messages
- 12499 votes
Bit surprising.
Sometimes you put something in your Netflix list and while watching you absolutely no longer know what that trigger was. I suspected that the flat British had probably persuaded me, but afterwards I saw that this film was by Ken Loach. That's why.
Not that I'm that familiar with the director, but that's exactly why I thought it was good to take part. On the other hand, I'm a bit surprised that it scores so highly, especially at renowned film festivals. I never saw the hand of a real director while watching, often looked more like a good TV movie than an arthouse cannon.
Maybe it's because of the lightness. Although there are quite a few heavy scenes and themes in the film, they never get the space to really weigh in. Certainly not after halfway through, when it almost becomes farcical (with the roof). A bit of an odd turnaround in the film.
It's not annoying, if only because I can appreciate that brutal British (or Scottish in this case). Also because I like to drink a whiskey myself, that creates a small bond. But I didn't find this film remarkable at all. On the other hand, I can imagine that a bit of light-heartedness is welcome amidst all the art-house sadness of such a large film festival.
3.0*
Translated from Dutch · View original
remorz
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- 2326 messages
- 2577 votes
Sympathetic little one.
In the most beautiful language in the world, Loach tells a story about Robbie, who comes to realize that his life must be different. Having just become a father, having slipped through the legal eye of the needle, he discovers through his case worker that he has a soft (and fine nose) for whiskey.
The movie takes some time to tell us about Robbie, then it does the same thing but with whiskey. The real story actually starts after that and doesn't amount to much when you zoom in, but it constantly manages to entertain with a quartet of characters that draws its charm mainly from the funny love triangle between low-skilled ingenuity, the refined and elitist character of whiskey (including the world of tastings and purism) and the heist content - where the first two elements meet in contrast.
The squabble is touching, the tension remains light and the film as a whole ripples along nicely. Although Robbie isn't the typical character you get attached to, he still manages to show goodwill at certain times (two moments that stood out for me: his reaction when confronted with his victim (that remorseful look and tears: well played!) and his self-proclaimed need for change and fear beyond his will to backslide towards Harry). He's not a moral knight, since his solution has to be reached through a criminal path, but it's nice that Loach lets him do his thing and rewards him with a good ending. Sometimes crime does pay.
Little on the audiovisual side to blow you away, but with the delicious Scottish as the official language you always have something to marvel at. Aimably flawed characters in a feel-good story that doesn't need too much to tell you too much, but is well entertained. 3*
Translated from Dutch · View original
Baboesjka
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- 891 messages
- 1692 votes
A decent film with a real British feel. Well played and an entertaining story, but I wasn't blown away and I had a hard time staying focused. I think the story isn't quite my thing and didn't grab me enough. Also because I have nothing to do with whiskey, and certainly not with spirits. A small enough. 3*
Translated from Dutch · View original
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