Empire Falls (2005) (TV)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Fred Schepisi

Writers (WGA):

Richard Russo (novel)
Richard Russo (teleplay)

Release Date:

28 May 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Every small town has a big story

Plot:

A decaying New England town is the backdrop for its unique citizens, lead by unassuming restaurant manager Miles Roby.

Plot Keywords:

Restaurant | Maine | Small Town | New England | Pool Table

Awards:

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 5 wins & 20 nominations

Cast

Ed Harris	...	Miles Roby
Philip Seymour Hoffman	...	Charlie Mayne
Helen Hunt	...	Janine Roby
Paul Newman	...	Max Roby
Robin Wright Penn	...	Grace Roby
Aidan Quinn	...	David Roby
Joanne Woodward	...	Francine Whiting
Dennis Farina	...	Walt Comeau
William Fichtner	...	Jimmy Minty
Estelle Parsons	...	Bea
Theresa Russell	...	Charlene
Kate Burton	...	Cindy Whiting
Jeffrey DeMunn	...	Horace
Trevor Morgan	...	Zack Minty
Danielle Panabaker	...	Tick Roby

Runtime:

Argentina:197 min | USA:240 min (2 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:14A (Ontario) | Singapore:NC-16 | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-15 | Australia:M | Greece:K-13

Filming Locations:

Augusta, Maine, USA

Company:

HBO Films

Trivia:

The football game in the movie was actually a scrimmage match between the local high school football teams, Skowhegan High School and Waterville High School. Most of the extras in the stands were residents of both towns.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Miles and Tick are sitting at the restaurant bar, the camera cuts from the two of them to a close up. When it returns a Sprite can magically appears in front of Tick.

Quotes:

Francine Whiting: What can't be cured must be endured.
Miles Roby: What can't be cured must be avenged.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 12th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Knock On Wood

Deft translation to the screen - beautifully done

Although everyone should read the book - it will pull you in and you'll know the real Maine and the people who live there - this film is the next best thing. The script is amazingly deft, the acting is brilliant, and the production design and values are beautiful and true to the source. Paul Newman completely embodies Miles'incorrigible father and never fails to light up the screen while completely exasperating you - like he must do to everyone who comes in contact with him. Ed Harris portrays Miles as the complex and very subtle person with a thoughtful quietness that lets you know both why people are drawn to him as well as gives you clues why he keeps these same people at a perceptible distance. The rest of the cast members are just as distinguished in their roles. (The talent quotient is unbelievably high!) As amazing as this production is on just about every level (except for the music, which is irredeemably cheesy but fortunately mostly unobtrusive) credit must be given first and foremost to Richard Russo for writing characters so real and so complex and nuanced, and dialogue that is realistically elliptical that the real pull of the movie is not waiting to see what happens, but in getting to know the characters better. These are all ordinary people and what makes them interesting is not what they do, but those subtle things that make them who they are. This is why the mini-series format was perfect. It gives the viewer the opportunity to get to know Empire Falls. My only wish is that at some point one could see this on the big screen. Certainly the mythical town of Empire Falls (and the real town that it represents) is an important character and IT'S crowded on the small screen.

Dan Plante