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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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK France Belgium Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 June 2012 (UK)

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

The guide who shows the protagonists around the whisky distillery is played by Joy McAvoy. She is the sister of James McAvoy.

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Goofs

When Albert is sitting on Rhino's shoulder looking through the pub window you can see the cameraman's reflection in the window on the right of Albert. The cameraman's reflection becomes even more visible after Rhino puts Albert down.

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Quotes

Mairi: Now every year about 2% of the spirit is actually lost. It just disappears and evaporates into thin air. Gone forever. It's what we call the "angels' share".

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Alternate Versions

UK cinema- and DVD versions have eight uses of the strongest profanity removed in order to obtain a 15 classification. The Blu-ray is uncut and rated 18.

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Connections

Featured in Dream Me Up Scotty! (2013)

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Soundtracks

I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
Written by Charlie Reid (as Charles Stobo Reid) and Craig Reid (as Craig Morris Reid)
Performed by The Proclaimers
Licensed courtesy of EMI Records Ltd.
© 1998 Zoo Music Ltd. All rights administered by Warner/Chappell Ltd.

User Reviews

Braveheart, you bastards!

Another terrific film from the master of the kitchen sink, Ken Loach. Like all of Loach's films, Angels' Share takes a look at the judicial system and how the mistreatment of criminals effects their lives. In the case of Robbie, our protagonist, the poor decision by the courts – coupled with his girlfriend and their newborn baby – has a profound effect on his life as he begins to put his juvenile past behind him… that is until his community service officer instills a newfound interest in whiskey. These events lead up to a pivotal heist scene that plays out like something from the French new wave with a hint of British. Loach's direction has definitely adapted with the times but his adaptation of long-time collaborator Paul Laverty's screenplay is as poignant as it always is when the two collaborate. Undeniably better than last year's Route Irish – which was a very rare look into the Iraq war – and definitely worth the watch.

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