Margaret's Museum (1995)

Margaret MacNiel, a girl living in a Cape Breton coal mining town, finds her life changing when she meets Neil Currie, a cheerful bagpipe-playing dishwasher. Unfortunately, neither of them are able to escape the industry around them.

Director:

Mort Ransen

Writers:

Sheldon Currie (story "The Glace Bay Miner's Museum"), Gerald Wexler

Stars:

Helena Bonham Carter, Kate Nelligan, Clive Russell

10 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Helena Bonham Carter	...	Margaret MacNeil
Clive Russell	...	Neil Currie
Craig Olejnik	...	Jimmy MacNeil
Kate Nelligan	...	Catherine MacNeil
Kenneth Welsh	...	Angus MacNeil
Andrea Morris	...	Marilyn
Peter Boretski	...	Grandfather Dunald MacNeil
Barrie Dunn	...	Mr. Campbell
Norma Dell'Agnese	...	Mrs. Campbell
Glenn Wadman	...	Willy
Elizabeth Richardson	...	Sister
Ida Donovan	...	Sarah
Gordon Joe	...	Hum Sing
Wayne Reynolds	...	Fraser
Murdoch MacDonald	...	Clerk

Storyline

In a town where half the men die down the coalpit, Margaret MacNeil is quite happy being single. Until she meets Neil Currie, a charming and sincere bagpipe-playing, Gaelic-speaking dishwasher. But no matter what you do, you can't avoid the spectre of the pit forever.

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Plot Keywords:

male nudity | alliteration in title | two word title | name in title | female name in title | 

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Taglines:

She found a way to preserve her memories forever.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language and some sexuality

Did You Know?

Quotes

Doctor 1: Your brother, you took his...
Margaret MacNeil: Dick.
Doctor 1: Penis. Yes, why?
Margaret MacNeil: Because at this age, it was the most important thing he had.

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Connections

Referenced in Fight Club (1999)

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Soundtracks

The Ballad of Charlie Dave
based on the traditional song "Peggy Gordon"
Performed by Clive Russell
New lyrics by Sheldon Currie

User Reviews

Good

The setup: In a town where half the men die down the coalpit, Margaret MacNeil is quite happy being single. Until she meets Neil Currie, a charming and sincere bagpipe-playing, Gaelic-speaking dishwasher. But no matter what you do, you can't avoid the spectre of the pit forever.

The verdict: The characters in this film have a lot of depth, and that makes all the difference. In the end, the audience gets a casserole of film elements and little of the satisfaction that comes from watching these types of movies. This is a story about a place most people might not be able to conceive. It is a powerful film, but I doubt I will ever want to watch it again.

Details

Country:

Canada UK

Language:

English Scottish Gaelic Cantonese

Release Date:

26 January 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Margaret's Museum

Filming Locations:

Dominion, Nova Scotia, Canada

Box Office

Gross USA:

$524,963

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Screen Productions, Ciné Télé Action, Glace Bay Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color