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:

ash wednesday | gun | 1980s | priest | irish mob | 

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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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

19 March 2004 (UK)

Also Known As:

Quarta-Feira de Cinzas

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

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: They thought you were the smart one? I must've looked like a friggin' retard!

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Connections

References Black & White (1999)

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Soundtracks

Be Thou My Vision
Traditional
Arranged, Produced and Performed by Matthew Ryan

User Reviews

Not great but OK

First of all, it could have been shorter due to the redundant establishment of the primary story line. A couple more scenes of Ed Burns walking around the streets with that boring musical theme and I may have given up on this film.

Elijah Wood was totally miscast. A more wrong casting of the role of Sean is not imaginable. OK, maybe imaginable if you include Pee Wee Herman. I agree with another writer here that Oliver Platt could've gotten some more dialog and scenes, but that's what it is. He probably liked the idea of playing a heavy for a change. He should do more I think.

I figured the closing scenes to a "T"... from the saloon showdown to the reason for the crew cap and peacoat. I claim no particular brilliance, it seemed pretty obvious.

All in all I'd say watch it when it appears on cable, save the rental fee. A 6.5 - 7.0 rating is generous but I like Ed Burns, stories about Irish street hoods and a plus when it's Hells Kitchen in NYC instead of the Southies. No offense Boston.