Ash Wednesday (2002)

Ash Wednesday is set in the Manhattan of the early 1980's and is about a pair of Irish-American brothers (Burns and Wood) who become embroiled in a conflict with the Irish Mob.

Director:

Edward Burns

Writer:

Edward Burns

Stars:

Brian Burns, Vincent Rubino, James Michael Cummings

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brian Burns	...	Cousin Mike Moran
Vincent Rubino	...	Vinny Boombata
James Michael Cummings	...	J.C. (as James Cummings)
Elijah Wood	...	Sean Sullivan
Pat McNamara	...	Murph
John DiResta	...	Pete at the Bar
Edward Burns	...	Francis Sullivan
Malachy McCourt	...	Whitey
Chris McGovern	...	Whitey's Driver (as Christopher McGovern)
Peter Gerety	...	Uncle Handy
Jimmy Burke	...	Red Kelly (as James Burke)
Stephen Murphy	...	Whitey's Man
Brian Delate	...	Crazy George Cullen
Teresa Yenque	...	Mrs. Diaz
Julie Hale	...	Maggie Shea

Storyline

Hell's Kitchen on Ash Wednesday, 1983. Rumors are flying that Francis Sullivan's younger brother Sean, dead for three years, has reappeared. If he wasn't killed by rivals, then old scores still need settling, putting Fran and Sean in danger. An upstart is pressuring the local mob boss, who's Fran's protector; Sean's wife, who thinks she's a widow, has gotten on with her life, but Sean has come back for her. The parish priest, part of the initial deception, is frightened. Bad guys with guns are closing in. Can Fran get Sean and his wife out of the city, avoid a war between rival factions, and hold onto new-found morality? Will the cross of ashes on his forehead protect him?

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Plot Keywords:

hell's kitchen | irish neighborhood | west side manhattan new york city | upper west side manhattan new york city | upper west side | 

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Taglines:

an Edward Burns film

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive language and some violence

Did You Know?

Goofs

In the opening scene when Sean Sullivan shots the three guys in the bathroom you hear 3 gunshots (there is no visual of the event here). At time index 1:12:18, Sean Sullivan goes to the bathroom and shots the three guys, you hear four gunshots

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Quotes

Francis: [to Sean] What do you need a formal invitation? Get in the fucking car!

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Connections

References Black & White (1999)

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Soundtracks

Radar Love
Written by George Kooymans and Barry Hay
Performed by Golden Earring
Courtesy of MCA Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Burning Drama

`Ash Wednesday' is the latest installment by actor/writer/director Edward Burns. The film was released in just a few theaters back in October of 2002. Because of its limited release, it did not have a `prayer' in making a profit. `Ash Wednesday' possesses the usual first-degree `burnisms': irish rituals, catholic guilt, sibling codependence, love triangle, and lots of heineken chugging. Because of its serious dramatic tone, it did lack the witty banter of most of Burns' other films. Burns and Elijah Wood play Irish catholic brothers- francis & sean sullivan. Francis must protect his younger brother Sean from an Irish mob who are suspicious that he is still alive even though he was presumed dead 3 years ago. The film is set in one entire Ash Wednesday in New York's Hells Kitchen during the early 80's. I do commend Burns' by writing & directing out of the box and providing us a more dramatically intense film. However, Eddie please make sure you return and make more jocose romantic comedies because that is where your fire really burns! **** Excellent

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

19 March 2004 (UK)

Also Known As:

Ash Wednesday

Filming Locations:

Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,942, 13 October 2002

Gross USA:

$2,942

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$57,442

Company Credits

Production Co:

IFC Productions, Marlboro Road Gang Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1