Ash Wednesday (2002)

Director:

Edward Burns

Writer (WGA):

Edward Burns (written by)

Release Date:

19 March 2004 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Ash Wednesday is set in the Manhattan of the early 1980's and is about a pair of Irish-American brothers (Burns and Wood) who become embroiled in a conflict with the Irish Mob.

Plot Keywords:

Ash Wednesday | Irish Mob | Irish American | Priest | Hell's Kitchen

Cast

Brian Burns	...	Cousin Mike Moran
Vincent Rubino	...	Vinny Boombata
Jimmy Cummings	...	J.C. (as James Cummings)
Elijah Wood	...	Sean Sullivan
Pat McNamara	...	Murph
John DiResta	...	Pete at the Bar
Edward Burns	...	Francis Sullivan
Malachy McCourt	...	Whitey
Chris McGovern	...	Whitey's Driver (as Christopher McGovern)
Peter Gerety	...	Uncle Handy
Jimmy Burke	...	Red Kelly (as James Burke)
Stephen Murphy	...	Whitey's Man
Brian Delate	...	Crazy George Cullen
Teresa Yenque	...	Mrs. Diaz
Julie Hale	...	Maggie Shea

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive language and some violence.

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Finland:K-15 | Netherlands:16 (DVD rating) | Canada:14A | Singapore:NC-16 | UK:18 | USA:R | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

IFC Productions

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the beginning, three years after the opening shooting, when a group of guys are at the bar, one comments on how Dolly Parton was on Johnny Carson last night. Dolly Parton didn't appear on the Tonight Show in the 1980s until 1986.

Quotes:

Francis: They thought you were the smart one? I must've looked like a friggin' retard!

Movie Connections:

References Black and White (1999/I)

Soundtrack:

Who's Behind the Door

Burning Drama

`Ash Wednesday' is the latest installment by actor/writer/director Edward Burns. The film was released in just a few theaters back in October of 2002. Because of its limited release, it did not have a `prayer' in making a profit. `Ash Wednesday' possesses the usual first-degree `burnisms': irish rituals, catholic guilt, sibling codependence, love triangle, and lots of heineken chugging. Because of its serious dramatic tone, it did lack the witty banter of most of Burns' other films. Burns and Elijah Wood play Irish catholic brothers- francis & sean sullivan. Francis must protect his younger brother Sean from an Irish mob who are suspicious that he is still alive even though he was presumed dead 3 years ago. The film is set in one entire Ash Wednesday in New York's Hells Kitchen during the early 80's. I do commend Burns' by writing & directing out of the box and providing us a more dramatically intense film. However, Eddie please make sure you return and make more jocose romantic comedies because that is where your fire really burns! **** Excellent