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Miranda Richardson, Callum Keith Rennie, Katharine Isabelle, Kristin Adams, Monté Gagné ... see more see more... , Kett Turton , Mark McKinney , Ingrid Nilson

Canadian filmmaker Scott Smith directs the black comedy Falling Angels, based on the novel by Barbara Gowdy and adapted for the screen by poet and author Esta Spalding. Set in the late '60s and filmed... read more read more... on-location in Saskatchewan, this dark family drama focuses on the three teenaged daughters of the Field household. Callum Keith Rennie plays Jim Field, the loud-mouthed, domineering patriarch who has intimidated his wife Mary (Miranda Richardson) into a catatonic state of alcoholism and depression. Norma (Monté Gagné) is the oldest, most responsible daughter; she is overburdened and preoccupied by events from the past. Middle child Lou (Katharine Isabelle) chooses the rebellious path in order to escape her father's unreasonable demands. Youngest daughter Sandy (Kristin Adams) aspires to maximum femininity, engaging in an affair with an older, married man (Mark McKinney) in the process. Falling Angels was shown at the 2003 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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69% liked it

1,192 ratings

Critics

63% liked it

8 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 49 min.

Directed by: Scott Smith

Release Date: February 18, 2005

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DVD Release Date: January 1, 2005

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Flixster Reviews (68)

  • fb1144932598
    April 3, 2009
    fb1144932598
    Funny? There is nothing funny about this. Where to begin? Incredible story of loss, mental illness, and family dysfunction. That last term seems inadequate here. It could easily have become mind-numbingly depressing, and very nearly did for this viewer, but strong performances by... read more a terrific cast kept it from plummeting over the edge. Hard to imagine how a woman as depressed as Mary (Miranda Richardson) could subsequently have three daughters without her depression being diagnosed, but this was the dark ages when it comes to psychology. The three girls must care for their incapacitated mother, stay out of the way of their psychotically violent father, and somehow maintain a facade of normality for the outside world. There were so many pressures on this family, it is a wonder any of them is capable of even the most basic functions. This viewer felt like each of the girls will always struggle with life's choices. Yet, somehow in the face of unspeakable tragedies, these girls seem to have the strength to continue to struggle. These three young actresses (Katherine Isabelle, Kristin Adams, and Monte Gagne) managed to make their characters believable, sympathetic, and incredibly resilient. Hard to watch, but, wow!
  • rambosarge
    December 29, 2011
    rambosarge
    I love Katharine Isabelle and have scene all of her films except turning Paige and must admit that this is one of my top 5 favorite movies. Amazing acting and a depressing story line. One sister is pregnant, another a drug attic, and the other, a lesbian. My god, it's got to be a... read more parents worst nightmare. Well it explains the end.

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Critic Reviews

Michael Booth
September 16, 2005
Michael Booth, Denver Post

So many reasons to see the darkly hopeful Canadian film Falling Angels -- a terrific unknown cast showcased in subtle close-ups, and a quirky literary script largely free of cliche. Full Review

Dennis Harvey
April 13, 2005
Dennis Harvey, Variety

Deftly balances elements of pathos, humor and the grotesque while maintaining a low-key tenor. Full Review

Marta Barber
June 3, 2005
Marta Barber, Miami Herald

It's the attention to small details that makes the characters so believable, especially in the way Smith delivers their sentiments: in quiet, personal moments. Full Review

Walter Chaw
April 26, 2005
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central

What offends most is the patina of smugness that seeps through every frame. Full Review

Shlomo Schwartzberg
February 18, 2005
Shlomo Schwartzberg, Boxoffice Magazine

There's little intelligence or realism evident on screen. Full Review

David Nusair
November 20, 2003
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...surprisingly moving and emotional. Full Review

Bruce Kirkland
November 20, 2003
Bruce Kirkland, Jam! Movies

Falling Angels may be rough at times but it has so much going for it, from content to performance, that it demands to be seen, appreciated and talked about. Full Review

Bill Chambers
December 6, 2003
Bill Chambers, Film Freak Central

Click to read the article Full Review

June 24, 2006
Time Out

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September 26, 2005
AV Club

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