The Angels' Share (2012)

Narrowly avoiding jail, new dad Robbie vows to turn over a new leaf. A visit to a whisky distillery inspires him and his mates to seek a way out of their hopeless lives.

Director:

Ken Loach

Writer:

Paul Laverty (screenplay)

Stars:

Paul Brannigan, John Henshaw, Roger Allam

7 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Brannigan	...	Robbie
Siobhan Reilly	...	Leonie
John Henshaw	...	Harry
Gary Maitland	...	Albert
William Ruane	...	Rhino
Jasmin Riggins	...	Mo (as Jasmine Riggins)
Scott Dymond	...	Willy
Scott Kyle	...	Clancy
Neil Leiper	...	Sniper
James Casey	...	Dougie
Caz Dunlop	...	Caz
Gilbert Martin	...	Matt
Stewart Preston	...	Sheriff
Vincent Friell	...	Procurator Fiscal
Kirstin Murray	...	Defence Lawyer

Storyline

This bitter sweet comedy follows protagonist Robbie as he sneaks into the maternity hospital to visit his young girlfriend Leonie and hold his newborn son Luke for the first time. Overwhelmed by the moment, he swears that Luke will not have the same tragic life he has had. Escaping a prison sentence by the skin of his teeth, he's given one last chance......While serving a community service order, he meets Rhino, Albert and Mo who, like him, find it impossible to find work because of their criminal records. Little did Robbie imagine how turning to drink might change their lives - not cheap fortified wine, but the best malt whiskies in the world. Will it be 'slopping out' for the next twenty years, or a new future with 'Uisge Beatha' the 'Water of Life?' Only the angels know........

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Plot Keywords:

nose | bourbon | spirit | rye | booze | 

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Taglines:

Four friends. One mission. Lots of spirit.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

Tous publics

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK France Belgium Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 June 2012 (France)

Also Known As:

La part des anges

Filming Locations:

Mitchell Lane, Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$18,837, 14 April 2013, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$304,357, 2 June 2013

Company Credits

Production Co:

Entertainment One,Sixteen Films,Why Not Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Paul Brannigan very nearly didn't appear in the film as he failed to turn up to the first casting session. Brannigan was going through a lot of personal issues at the time and eventually came on board after writer Paul Laverty tracked him down.

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Goofs

When Harry is discussing Robbie's life of crime with him, he says that Robbie wouldn't want to miss his son growing up. This is discussed before the child is born. Later, when Luke (Robbie's son) is born, it is clear that no one knew that he would be a boy before the event.

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Quotes

Albert: What is that? That there. What is that?
Rhino: What, that big thing on top of the hill?
Albert: You cannae miss looking at that. What *is* that?
Rhino: It's Edinburgh Castle, Albert.
Albert: Is it?
Rhino: Aye.
Albert: What did they put it up there for?

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Cannes Film Festival 2012 (2012)

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Soundtracks

Some Chords
Performed by Deadmau5
Licensed courtesy of Virgin Records Limited
Written by Deadmau5 (as Joel Zimmerman)
Published by EMI Music Publishing Limited

User Reviews

Delightful

'The Angels Share' is the latest film by Ken Loach about living on the rough side of Glasgow, Scotland and trying to cope with your past. It's a delightful little film that's really funny as well as portraying a lot of dark aspects about modern Scottish lifestyles.

The acting is surprisingly great; there are no real known actors in this besides John Henshaw who was fantastic despite not having a lot of screen-time. New-comers like Paul Brannigan are excellent and really carry this film. The performances of those main four characters are all done well, particularly Gary Maitland.

The script is quite interesting and has a great Scottish theme to it. The dialogue is fantastic, the conversations in this film seem so real and the colloquialisms provide so much humour for Scottish audiences. There have been few Scottish films lately that seem like a real Scottish film. The film also discusses a lot of other important issues i.e. alcoholism, drug abuse, poverty, violence and gang culture. It paints a picture of some people's lives in Glasgow.

Overall, this is a feel-good film which does discuss a lot of important, dark Scottish issues. It also has some great comedy included and fantastic dialogue making this film one of the best British films of 2012.