We're No Angels (1989)

Two escaped cons only prayer to escape is to pass themselves off as priests and pass by the police blockade at the border into the safety of Canada.

Director:

Neil Jordan

Writers:

David Mamet, Ranald MacDougall (earlier screenplay) (as Ranald Macdougall)

Stars:

Robert De Niro, Sean Penn, Demi Moore

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert De Niro	...	Ned
Sean Penn	...	Jim
Demi Moore	...	Molly
Hoyt Axton	...	Father Levesque
Bruno Kirby	...	Deputy
Ray McAnally	...	Warden
James Russo	...	Bobby
Wallace Shawn	...	Translator
John C. Reilly	...	Young Monk
Jay Brazeau	...	Sheriff
Ken Buhay	...	Bishop Nogalich
Elizabeth Lawrence	...	Mrs. Blair
Bill Murdoch	...	Deputy
Jessica Jickels	...	Rosie
Frank C. Turner	...	Shopkeeper

Storyline

A couple of escaped convicts on the run find refuge with the Church when they are mistaken for two priests. The two are keen to flee but are unable to do so without the help of Molly.

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Plot Keywords:

lingerie slip | priest | police | con | convict | 

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Taglines:

It Will Be A Sin To Miss It!

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French Latin

Release Date:

15 December 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

No somos ángeles

Filming Locations:

Britannia Beach, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,047,630, 17 December 1989, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$10,555,348

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Alphacine)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

On the closing scene as Ned, Molly, and Rosie have crossed the bridge, the billboard in the distance reads, "Valley Forge". No known reference is noted as to the product it advertises.

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Goofs

When Ned agrees to partake in the march to Canada while talking to Father Levesque a boom can clearly be seen being raised in the reflection of windows behind them.

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Quotes

Bobby: We're all going to fry for those guards we shot
Ned: Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me you shot the guards Bob.

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Crazy Credits

In the ending credits, the film is dedicated to the actor Ray McAnally who passed away shortly after this film was made.

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Connections

Featured in Hollywood vs. Religion (1994)

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Soundtracks

In The Garden Of Tomorrow
By George Graff (as George Graffe, Jr.) & Jessie Deppen (as Jessie L. Deppen)

User Reviews

Fun Cast

We're No Angels (1989)

*** (out of 4)

Remake of the 1955 film has Robert DeNiro and Sean Penn playing escaped convicts who hide out as priests in a small town where they try to sneak across the border into Canada. Most of the reviews you read for this film will probably be negative but I've always enjoyed what the movie has to offer even though there's no way of denying that it could have and should have been a lot better than it turned out. I think the biggest problem with the film is the direction of Jordan who just wasn't right for the material. This is suppose to be a comedy yet you wouldn't know it because Jordan handles the material so dark that it's rather hard to get many laughs. We've get some rather strong tones on religion and even some strong violence, which just doesn't sit too well in a comedy. Even the entire atmosphere of the film is rather dark, which is a staple of Jordan but again, that wasn't really needed in this film. What does work are the performances by DeNiro and Penn who are excellent together. Playing dumb is never an easy thing but both men pull this off remarkably well, which is very important since most of the laughs come from them not understanding anything to do with religion yet they're suppose to be priests. The two men's facial expressions is what works the best because the look on their faces when they're put on the spot are just flawless as is their constant begging and pleading for various things throughout the movie. Demi Moore has a supporting role, which brings in more darkness that really isn't needed but Bruno Kirby and John C. Reilly turn in nice supporting performances with Reilly really standing out as another priest obsessed with Penn. The laughs throughout the film are certainly minor but to me the film still works well thanks to the terrific performances. You really don't expect to see DeNiro and Penn in a movie like this but they both pull it off very well and make it worth viewing.