Empire Falls (2005)

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

Director:

Fred Schepisi

Writers:

Richard Russo (novel), Richard Russo (teleplay)

Stars:

Ed Harris, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Helen Hunt

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 5 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ed Harris	...	Miles Roby
Philip Seymour Hoffman	...	Charlie Mayne
Helen Hunt	...	Janine Roby
Paul Newman	...	Max Roby
Robin Wright	...	Grace Roby (as Robin Wright Penn)
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

Storyline

A drama that swoops in on Empire Falls, an economically depressed mill town in Maine, and lifetime resident Miles Roby, who's run the town's top restaurant for some twenty years. Miles is surrounded by his newly thin wife, meddling father, and hostile boss.

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Plot Keywords:

restaurant | maine | new england | small town | death | 

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Taglines:

Every small town has a big story

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

HBO [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 May 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

A múlt fogságában

Filming Locations:

Augusta, Maine, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Marc Platt Productions, Aspetuck Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

197 min 240 min (2 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The final on-screen acting project for Paul Newman.

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Goofs

During the wedding scene, Horace goes from having his left hand in his lap to holding a cup between shots.

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Quotes

Otto Mayer: Who, after all, arrives at his heart's home at the end of the day? Even this day, who can say that the next will bring joy?... or comfort?... or justice?... or release?... or an end to care? Lives are like rivers... eventually they go where they must... not where we want them to.

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Connections

Referenced in Late Show with David Letterman: Episode #12.143 (2005)

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Soundtracks

"And I Love You So"
Written by Don McLean
Performed by Hidden Drive
Courtesy of

User Reviews

The ghost of the past

Richard Russo's brilliant novel gets a full movie treatment from HBO Films under the direction of Fred Schepisi. This multi layered saga of people in a small and forgotten town in Maine follows Mr. Russo's novel and makes its people come alive, as portrayed by some of America's best actors working as an ensemble under Mr. Schepisi's unobtrusive direction.

Empire Falls serves as a metaphor for all that has happened in most New England towns when industry abandoned them and unscrupulous liquidators came to pick at the bones of whatever was left behind in order to make an easy buck.

At the center of the story we find Miles Roby, a decent man who has to deal with the present day realities and try to keep his family together. As played by Ed Harris, Miles offers the actor one of the best roles he has given us in years. Helen Hunt, on the other hand, seems to be miscast in the role of Janine; her fake accent doesn't seem to help her.

Paul Newman, as the eccentric patriarch of the Roby family, loses himself in his role and we forget we are watching anyone by that crazy Max Roby. Philip Seymour Hoffman makes a great contribution with a small appearance. Robin Wright Penn is seen briefly also as Grace, Miles mother who is a key figure in the story.

The rest of the cast is excellent.

The best thing that can come out of this adaptation is that people will flock to read Richard Russo's novels because he is an important voice in American literature.