Ash Wednesday (2002)

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.

Director:

Edward Burns

Writer:

Edward Burns

Stars:

Brian Burns, Vincent Rubino, Jimmy Cummings

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Hell's Kitchen on Ash Wednesday, 1983. Rumors are flying that Francis Sullivan's younger brother Sean, dead for three years, has reappeared. If he wasn't killed by rivals, then old scores still need settling, putting Fran and Sean in danger. An upstart is pressuring the local mob boss, who's Fran's protector; Sean's wife, who thinks she's a widow, has gotten on with her life, but Sean has come back for her. The parish priest, part of the initial deception, is frightened. Bad guys with guns are closing in. Can Fran get Sean and his wife out of the city, avoid a war between rival factions, and hold onto new-found morality? Will the cross of ashes on his forehead protect him?

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Plot Keywords:

ash wednesday | priest | 1980s | irish mob | irish american | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive language and some violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

19 March 2004 (UK)

Also Known As:

Ash Wednesday, le mercredi des cendres

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$2,942 (USA) (11 October 2002)

Gross:

$2,942 (USA) (11 October 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

IFC Productions, Marlboro Road Gang Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

In the opening scene when Sean Sullivan shots the three guys in the bathroom you hear 3 gunshots (there is no visual of the event here). At time index 1:12:18, Sean Sullivan goes to the bathroom and shots the three guys, you hear four gunshots

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Quotes

Francis: [to Sean] What do you need a formal invitation? Get in the fucking car!

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Connections

References Black and White (1999)

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Soundtracks

"Catch Me Now I'm Falling"
Written by Ray Davies
Performed by The Kinks
Courtesy of Velvel Records

User Reviews

a good, tight, suspenseful drama.

October 14, 2004. I viewed this film last night and I must say that I was in suspense the entire film. I truly believed that the younger brother was in imminent danger. The older brother (Ed Burns) was in danger as well. Trying to convince his brother of his stupidity was done not with yelling or shouting, but understated by a character who by his admissions had lived two lifetimes by the age of thirty.

I am a movie fan who does not expect "Gone With The Wind" or "To Kill a Mockingbird" with every film I watch. This film had an excellent cast who performed beautifully. The director kept an even pace throughout because of the impending double-twist surprise ending.

One gifted actor, who never gets enough credit from the public, only his peers and producers and directors is James Handy (Father Mahoney). I see him constantly appearing in one movie after another as well as numerous guest-starring appearances on TV. He was especially "despicable and conniving" on N.Y.P.D.Blue. Usually plays unsympathetic characters. He, like the rest of the cast were truly believable.

I don't know whether or not you'll be talking about this film for years and years. But I do know that most of you will enjoy this approximately 90 minutes of suspenseful entertainment, will recommend viewing to your friends and may watch this film a second and third time. I know I will!!