Taglines: The Hopes of a Mother. The Dreams of a Father. The Fate of a Child.
Angela’s Ashes movie storyline. 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.
Angela’s Ashes is a 1999 drama film based on the memoir of the same name by Frank McCourt. An international co-production between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, it was co-written and directed by Alan Parker, and stars Emily Watson, Robert Carlyle, Joe Breen, Ciaran Owens, and Michael Legge, the latter three playing the Young, Middle and Older Frank McCourt respectively.
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, Lower John Street and Barrack Street.
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.
Awards and Nominations
Winner Best Picture – Irish Film and Television Awards
Winner Best Costume Design – Irish Film and Television Awards (Consolata Boyle)
Winner Best Director – Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Audience Award) (Alan Parker)
Winner Best Original Score – Las Vegas Film Critics Society (John Williams)
Winner Best Actress – London Film Critics Circle (Emily Watson)
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)
Nominee Best Actress – Irish Film and Television Awards (Emily Watson)
Nominee Best Actor – Irish Film and Television Awards (Robert Carlyle)
Nominee Newcomer of Year – London Film Critics Circle (Michael Legge)
Angela’s Ashes (1999)
Directed by: Alan Parker
Starring: Emily Watson, Robert Carlyle, Joe Breen, Ciaran Owens, Michael Legge, Ronnie Masterson, Pauline McLynn, iam Carney, Eanna MacLiam, Shane Murray-Corcoran
Screenplay by: Laura Jones, Alan Parker
Production Design by: Geoffrey Kirkland
Cinematography by: Michael Seresin
Film Editing by: Gerry Hambling
Costume Design by: Consolata Boyle
Set Decoration by: Jennifer Williams
Art Direction by: Fiona Daly, Jonathan McKinstry, Malcolm Middleton
Music by: John Williams
MPAA Rating: R for sexual content and some language.
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures (North America), Universal Pictures (International)
Release Date: December 25, 1999
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