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:

The Cons Are Loose and The Comedy Is In!

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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

This movie is based on three sources: (1) We're No Angels (1955); (2) the American play, "My Three Angels", written by Bella Spewack and Sam Spewack; and (3) the French play, "La Cuisine Des Anges", written by Albert Husson, the American play also being based on the French play.

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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

Jim: [as Father Brown, he is asked to give a speech to the town. He reads from a brochure stuck in his Bible that says "An Encounter with a Bear"] Have you ever felt completely alone? Alone in a world of danger, and no one to rely on? Danger on every hand, in a world fraught with danger? And at the brink of death I felt in my pocket, and what did I find? What did I find?
[Opens the brochure - it's an ad for guns]
Jim: What did I find? Nothing. There's nothing there. It's all in your head. They can take the...
[...]

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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

References Taxi Driver (1976)

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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

It's About Miracles, OK?

Saw this movie many years ago and really enjoyed it. My best friend has recently gotten on a Sean Penn kick, and I suggested he rent this. We watched it last night, and I again realized it's a very good story.

Two important comments.

First, it's not a comedy, as in a fall-on-the-floor, laugh-your-head-off, side-splitter. If you're looking for that, check out the Stooges, thank you.

Second, the story is about miracles. Both the lower case miracles that happen all the time to people, as well as the upper case MIRACLES that may change our lives. The Writer and Director focus much of the action on how we make miracles happen for one another without some divine intervention; pay close attention to the drawing of the name in the lottery.

And, if you don't spend time in liturgical circles as I do, you need to understand that the types and stereotypes in the ecclesial environment are real, in particular John C Reilly as the eager young Novice, and Wallace Shawn as the Translator/Master of Ceremonies. Last, kudos to Hoyt Axton, for his sincere, underplayed portrayal of the Abbot (Father Levesque); great men like that really do exist in some communities.