Rating: 2.5/5.0
Chicago – “Once you’re involved in the shit, you can’t get out.” Ken Loach, filmmaker of the working class and longtime supporter of people who are just trying to better their lives knows this kind of statement isn’t true. We can all climb out of the shit. And his latest, “The Angels’ Share,” is yet another tale of a young man who has made some mistakes in his life beginning that climb to adulthood and responsibility. While it has some likable characters, particularly its charismatic lead, it’s impossible to shake the feeling that we’ve seen this movie before. To be blunt, I never had a reason to care, which is not something that can be said about most of Loach’s films. This one is just bland.
Loach’s film opens with a montage of Glasgow residents getting their sentences of community service. Clearly, these...
Chicago – “Once you’re involved in the shit, you can’t get out.” Ken Loach, filmmaker of the working class and longtime supporter of people who are just trying to better their lives knows this kind of statement isn’t true. We can all climb out of the shit. And his latest, “The Angels’ Share,” is yet another tale of a young man who has made some mistakes in his life beginning that climb to adulthood and responsibility. While it has some likable characters, particularly its charismatic lead, it’s impossible to shake the feeling that we’ve seen this movie before. To be blunt, I never had a reason to care, which is not something that can be said about most of Loach’s films. This one is just bland.
Loach’s film opens with a montage of Glasgow residents getting their sentences of community service. Clearly, these...
- 4/26/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
From the old reliable master Ken Loach, arrives the quaint little gem The Angels’ Share, a nearly seamless blend between drole humour, sometimes violent, edgy drama, the heist film and finally, the pastime of whisky tasting. More than any other facet, the latter adds a dynamic which is (fundamentally at least) completely at odds with most other themes explored in the film. Yet somehow it all works immensely well, adding a somewhat elitist, pompous kick to the adventure that I just loved.
It doesn’t hurt at all that I adore that particular spirit and hearing discussions about the subtleties and unique flavours of the drink made my tongue thirsty for a sip. In many ways those sequences do for whisky what Sideways did for wine admirers. The Angels’ Share, if you were wondering, is a colloquialism referring to the small percentage of whisky which evaporates during the casking process...
It doesn’t hurt at all that I adore that particular spirit and hearing discussions about the subtleties and unique flavours of the drink made my tongue thirsty for a sip. In many ways those sequences do for whisky what Sideways did for wine admirers. The Angels’ Share, if you were wondering, is a colloquialism referring to the small percentage of whisky which evaporates during the casking process...
- 4/11/2013
- by Simon Brookfield
- We Got This Covered
Ken Loach's The Angels' Share gets underway as a hard-hitting squint at the unemployed of Glasgow before rather perversely turning into an uplifting crime caper with a Disneyesque finale. But maybe, just maybe, a little Walt is what the have-nots are crying out for right now.
Loach, who has been zeroing in on the working class for over 45 years (Poor Cow (1967); Riff-Raff (1991)), and his longtime screenwriter Paul Laverty (The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006)) have concocted a group of societal misfits who've all wound up in court and sentenced to community service.
One, Albert (Gary Maitland), is a dull-witted hard drinker who's been arrested for plummeting onto some train tracks; another, kleptomaniac Mo (Jasmine Riggins), has filched a macaw; and a third, Rhino (William Ruane), has continuously affronted public statuary, sometimes with urine. But our main Cinderella/hero here is Robbie (Paul Brannigan).
With a scar down one cheek...
Loach, who has been zeroing in on the working class for over 45 years (Poor Cow (1967); Riff-Raff (1991)), and his longtime screenwriter Paul Laverty (The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006)) have concocted a group of societal misfits who've all wound up in court and sentenced to community service.
One, Albert (Gary Maitland), is a dull-witted hard drinker who's been arrested for plummeting onto some train tracks; another, kleptomaniac Mo (Jasmine Riggins), has filched a macaw; and a third, Rhino (William Ruane), has continuously affronted public statuary, sometimes with urine. But our main Cinderella/hero here is Robbie (Paul Brannigan).
With a scar down one cheek...
- 4/9/2013
- by Brandon Judell
- www.culturecatch.com
Once infamous for its deprivation and crime, Castlemilk in Glasgow has its rough edges. It also has a new reputation, for producing actors and film stars honed in schools where drama is now seen as 'hardcore'
Ask an outsider what they think of Castlemilk and they'll probably say alcoholism, poverty and poor housing. The estate, on Glasgow's southern edge, has been ranked among Scotland's most deprived places.
But in recent years the area has gained a reputation for something altogether more glamorous: film stars.
Directors Ken Loach and Peter Mullan have cast residents in critically-acclaimed films including Sweet Sixteen, The Angels' Share and Neds, and local talent regularly appears in television productions such as Rab C. Nesbitt, Taggart and soap opera River City.
Castlemilk stars like Stephen McCole, William Ruane and binman-turned-actor Gary Maitland have appeared in major productions and caught the attention of industry figures in Hollywood and Cannes.
Ask an outsider what they think of Castlemilk and they'll probably say alcoholism, poverty and poor housing. The estate, on Glasgow's southern edge, has been ranked among Scotland's most deprived places.
But in recent years the area has gained a reputation for something altogether more glamorous: film stars.
Directors Ken Loach and Peter Mullan have cast residents in critically-acclaimed films including Sweet Sixteen, The Angels' Share and Neds, and local talent regularly appears in television productions such as Rab C. Nesbitt, Taggart and soap opera River City.
Castlemilk stars like Stephen McCole, William Ruane and binman-turned-actor Gary Maitland have appeared in major productions and caught the attention of industry figures in Hollywood and Cannes.
- 10/9/2012
- by Owen Duffy
- The Guardian - Film News
After winning the prestigious Jury Prize at Cannes back in May, Ken Loach’s heart-warming and very funny tale of redemption and second chances is finally released on DVD this week.
Opening with the expertly cast Gary Maitland’s Albert drunkenly fooling around near an oncoming train, Loach’s pitch perfect Scottish film establishes the dark humour and rather endearing stupidity that lies ahead, while introducing us to the people whose journey we are about to join in the court docks.
After hearing what each of the gang is charged with, we are introduced to our main protagonist, Robbie (Paul Brannigan), who narrowly escapes a hefty custodial sentence due to the new leaf he has turned after learning he is to become a father and because of the very positive influence girlfriend Leonie (Siobhan Reilly) has had on his life.
Due to ongoing family feuds that now simply honour tradition,...
Opening with the expertly cast Gary Maitland’s Albert drunkenly fooling around near an oncoming train, Loach’s pitch perfect Scottish film establishes the dark humour and rather endearing stupidity that lies ahead, while introducing us to the people whose journey we are about to join in the court docks.
After hearing what each of the gang is charged with, we are introduced to our main protagonist, Robbie (Paul Brannigan), who narrowly escapes a hefty custodial sentence due to the new leaf he has turned after learning he is to become a father and because of the very positive influence girlfriend Leonie (Siobhan Reilly) has had on his life.
Due to ongoing family feuds that now simply honour tradition,...
- 9/27/2012
- by Emma Thrower
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Amour by Michael Haneke
The Mumbai Film Festival has announced its programming highlights for its 14the edition running from 18th to 25th October, 2012. The highlights include Palme d’Or winner of the year Amour by Michael Haneke, Cosmopolis by David Cronenberg, The Angels’ Share by Ken Loach, Beasts of the Southern Wild by Benh Zeitlin, A Throw of Dice by Franz Osten, The Leopard by Luchino Visconti, Once Upon a Time in America by Sergio Leone, On the Road by Walter Salles, Rust and Bone by Jacques Audiard and Blancanieves (Snow White) by Pablo Berger. The complete lineup will be announced on Monday, 24th September, 2012.
A Reliance Entertainment initiative, the festival is to be held from 18th – 25th October, 2012. India Gold 2012, a new competitive section, has been introduced this year to commemorate the 100 years of Indian cinema. With a total prize Rs 15 lakh plus Golden and Silver Gateway trophies, this...
The Mumbai Film Festival has announced its programming highlights for its 14the edition running from 18th to 25th October, 2012. The highlights include Palme d’Or winner of the year Amour by Michael Haneke, Cosmopolis by David Cronenberg, The Angels’ Share by Ken Loach, Beasts of the Southern Wild by Benh Zeitlin, A Throw of Dice by Franz Osten, The Leopard by Luchino Visconti, Once Upon a Time in America by Sergio Leone, On the Road by Walter Salles, Rust and Bone by Jacques Audiard and Blancanieves (Snow White) by Pablo Berger. The complete lineup will be announced on Monday, 24th September, 2012.
A Reliance Entertainment initiative, the festival is to be held from 18th – 25th October, 2012. India Gold 2012, a new competitive section, has been introduced this year to commemorate the 100 years of Indian cinema. With a total prize Rs 15 lakh plus Golden and Silver Gateway trophies, this...
- 9/21/2012
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Remember that Scottish film that got the Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival, The Angels’ Share? We got our hands on three posters and a trailer, to keep you interested until we receive the exact date of U.S. premiere. Here, have a look at the below:
The Angels’ Share is a story about a newborn’s dad, Robbie, who narrowly avoids going to jail – which makes him turn a new leaf and try to do something meaningful with his life. A visit to a whiskey distillery just might help him and his mates succeed.
The Angels’ Share is directed by Ken Loach and stars Paul Brannigan, John Henshaw, Gary Maitland and Jasmin Riggins.
Stay tuned!
Click to continue reading Three New The Angels’ Share Posters and Trailer #2...
The Angels’ Share is a story about a newborn’s dad, Robbie, who narrowly avoids going to jail – which makes him turn a new leaf and try to do something meaningful with his life. A visit to a whiskey distillery just might help him and his mates succeed.
The Angels’ Share is directed by Ken Loach and stars Paul Brannigan, John Henshaw, Gary Maitland and Jasmin Riggins.
Stay tuned!
Click to continue reading Three New The Angels’ Share Posters and Trailer #2...
- 9/4/2012
- by Sunrider
- Filmofilia
He's starred in three hit films, two of them Cannes award winners, but Gary Maitland has no plans to give up his day job - as a bin man working for South Lanarkshire Council. Despite admitting that he'd be tempted if the right part came along, the 28 year old has said that he loves his job and spending time with his work colleagues.
Maitland was just teenager when he got his big break in Ken Loach's Sweet Sixteen. He's been heavily praised by writer Paul Laverty for his comedy acting, but remains modest, and whilst he regrets having lost workmates on account of recent cuts, he says he's content with his £16,000 a year salary. Fame has brought some refined tastes, though - although he still likes his Buckfast, making The Angels' Share gave him a love of whisky, his choice for "getting smashed" when it won the Jury...
Maitland was just teenager when he got his big break in Ken Loach's Sweet Sixteen. He's been heavily praised by writer Paul Laverty for his comedy acting, but remains modest, and whilst he regrets having lost workmates on account of recent cuts, he says he's content with his £16,000 a year salary. Fame has brought some refined tastes, though - although he still likes his Buckfast, making The Angels' Share gave him a love of whisky, his choice for "getting smashed" when it won the Jury...
- 6/8/2012
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
The Angels' Share (15)
(Ken Loach, 2012, UK/Fra) Paul Brannigan, John Henshaw, Gary Maitland, Jasmin Riggins, Roger Allam, William Ruane. 101 mins
If anyone can cut it at Cannes, Ken can, and this recent surprise Jury Prize-winner sees Loach doing what he does so well: dignifying ordinary lives and chronicling social history as it happens. The tone is a little lighter this time, though, as we follow a violent young offender's potentially fruitful encounter with the whisky industry, thus bringing together the best and worst of Scotland.
Prometheus (15)
(Ridley Scott, 2012, Us) Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron. 124 mins
With all the zealous promotion and yet tight secrecy, this long-awaited Alien prequel couldn't live up to fans' expectations, could it? There's no way of telling at the time of writing, so let's just say it'll be a brilliant triumph, and a complete disaster.
The Turin Horse (15)
(Béla Tarr, 2011, Hun/Fra/Ger/Swi/Us) János Derszi,...
(Ken Loach, 2012, UK/Fra) Paul Brannigan, John Henshaw, Gary Maitland, Jasmin Riggins, Roger Allam, William Ruane. 101 mins
If anyone can cut it at Cannes, Ken can, and this recent surprise Jury Prize-winner sees Loach doing what he does so well: dignifying ordinary lives and chronicling social history as it happens. The tone is a little lighter this time, though, as we follow a violent young offender's potentially fruitful encounter with the whisky industry, thus bringing together the best and worst of Scotland.
Prometheus (15)
(Ridley Scott, 2012, Us) Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron. 124 mins
With all the zealous promotion and yet tight secrecy, this long-awaited Alien prequel couldn't live up to fans' expectations, could it? There's no way of telling at the time of writing, so let's just say it'll be a brilliant triumph, and a complete disaster.
The Turin Horse (15)
(Béla Tarr, 2011, Hun/Fra/Ger/Swi/Us) János Derszi,...
- 6/1/2012
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
Ken Loach's Whisky Galore!-influenced comedy is his most relaxed screen offering for some time
Ken Loach's new movie arrives in the UK garlanded with the Cannes Jury Prize: a freewheeling social-realist comedy caper. In many ways this is his most relaxed and successful screen offering for some time. The Angels' Share could stand as a companion piece to his Sweet Sixteen (2002) or even his early classic Kes (1969), and of course, it also draws on the Ealing film Whisky Galore! Again, Loach has used non-professionals: his leading man is newcomer Paul Brannigan, playing Robbie, a young Glasgow criminal who finds himself sentenced to repaint a community centre with a bunch of lawbreaking dopes and dorks: Mo (Jasmin Riggins), Rhino (William Ruane) and Albert (Gary Maitland). The supervisor, Harry (John Henshaw), is a kindly soul who has a connoisseur's passion for whisky, and out of the goodness of his...
Ken Loach's new movie arrives in the UK garlanded with the Cannes Jury Prize: a freewheeling social-realist comedy caper. In many ways this is his most relaxed and successful screen offering for some time. The Angels' Share could stand as a companion piece to his Sweet Sixteen (2002) or even his early classic Kes (1969), and of course, it also draws on the Ealing film Whisky Galore! Again, Loach has used non-professionals: his leading man is newcomer Paul Brannigan, playing Robbie, a young Glasgow criminal who finds himself sentenced to repaint a community centre with a bunch of lawbreaking dopes and dorks: Mo (Jasmin Riggins), Rhino (William Ruane) and Albert (Gary Maitland). The supervisor, Harry (John Henshaw), is a kindly soul who has a connoisseur's passion for whisky, and out of the goodness of his...
- 5/31/2012
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Flying the Great British flag at the Cannes Film Festival this year, Ken Loach’s The Angels’ Share was the only British film in competition at this year’s event – and the feature was rather well-received, taking home the prestigious Jury Prize – the third most prominent, and one that has been awarded to widely renowned films such as All About Eve, The Seventh Seal and Festen in the past.
Set in Glasgow, Scotland, we follow the trials and tribulations of trouble-maker Robbie (Paul Brannigan) – desperately attempting to form a new life for himself with his girlfriend (Siobhan Reilly) and newly born child, as he narrowly escapes a jail sentence following a violent string of attacks. Although vying for a way out, trouble just can’t seem to leave him alone, and Robbie is sent to complete a community service order, where he meets a group of like-minded people, also vowing...
Set in Glasgow, Scotland, we follow the trials and tribulations of trouble-maker Robbie (Paul Brannigan) – desperately attempting to form a new life for himself with his girlfriend (Siobhan Reilly) and newly born child, as he narrowly escapes a jail sentence following a violent string of attacks. Although vying for a way out, trouble just can’t seem to leave him alone, and Robbie is sent to complete a community service order, where he meets a group of like-minded people, also vowing...
- 5/29/2012
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
British filmmaker Ken Loach has been around for nearly half a century, starting as a television director in England before his first feature, Poor Cow, starring Carol White and Terence Stamp, in 1967. And in all that time, the man’s never broken out into the mainstream, nowhere near a household name in any household outside of his immediate country and the lovely South of France, where he won the Palme d’Or a few years back for his small wartime masterpiece The Wind That Shakes The Barley.
This is an artist who has boldly refused to compromise his creative vision, and that vision is in proper display here, with The Angel’s Share. These days, Loach usually alternates between ultra-serious and decidedly light-hearted social commentary; this new film sits in the latter group. Starring Paul Brannigan as Robbie, a thug with a heart of gold, Loach digs into the current...
This is an artist who has boldly refused to compromise his creative vision, and that vision is in proper display here, with The Angel’s Share. These days, Loach usually alternates between ultra-serious and decidedly light-hearted social commentary; this new film sits in the latter group. Starring Paul Brannigan as Robbie, a thug with a heart of gold, Loach digs into the current...
- 5/25/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Sundance Selects has acquired all U.S. rights to director Ken Loach’s The Angels’ Share. The movie, about a man who takes over a whisky distillery in Scotland, had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday. The film stars Paul Brannigan, Siobhan Reilly, John Henshaw, Gary Maitland, William Ruane, Jasmin Riggins and Roger Allam. Written by Paul Laverty, it was produced by Rebecca O'Brien and executive produced by Pascal Caucheteux and Vincent Maraval. Q&A: Ken Loach on 'The Angels' Share' The acquisition marks the fourth time IFC Films/Sundance Selects has taken on one of Loach’s films,
read more...
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- 5/24/2012
- by Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sundance Selects has acquired the Us rights to Ken Loach's "The Angel's Share," which screened at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this week. The deal for the film was negotiated by Arianna Bocco, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions & Productions for Sundance Selects/IFC Films with Carole Baraton of Wild Bunch on behalf of the filmmakers. Full press release below. Cannes (May 24, 2012) – Sundance Selects announced today from the 2012 Cannes Film Festival that the company is acquiring all Us rights to The Angels' Share directed by Palme d'Or winner Ken Loach (The Wind That Shakes The Barley) and written by Paul Laverty. The film was produced by Rebecca O'Brien (Sixteen Films) and executive produced by Pascal Caucheteux (Why Not Productions) and Vincent Maraval (Wild Bunch). The film stars Paul Brannigan, Siobhan Reilly, John Henshaw, Gary Maitland, William Ruane, Jasmin Riggins and Roger Allam. The film had its...
- 5/24/2012
- by Peter Knegt
- Indiewire
Just when the festival’s perpetual rain threatened to soak right through the collected critics’ spirit, redemption came from the most unlikely of places, the grey, wind-swept streets and hills of recession hit Scotland. The Angels’ Share sees festival veteran Ken Loach return to the Croisette with a gentle, but politically loaded comedy, steeped in Gaelic identity but carrying a wider message that feels appropriate well beyond the geographical borders of the film. The film follows Robbie (Paul Brannigan), a young Glaswegian with a violent past on community service and intent on changing the direction of his life for the benefit of his girlfriend Leonie (Siobhan Reilly) and newborn baby son Luke. Inspired by community service supervisor Harry (the always excellent John Henshaw), Robbie discovers a flair and passion for whiskey appreciation, and is invited into the alien world of whiskey collection thanks to his skills. With the considerable ominous shadow of his past hanging over his...
- 5/23/2012
- by Simon Gallagher
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Ken Loach's understated comedy uncasks a taste of something real for our times
Ken Loach's latest collaboration with screenwriter Paul Laverty is warm, funny and good-natured. It's a freewheeling social-realist caper – unworldly and at times almost childlike. Loach has for my money found a happy comic register – happier, I think, than his Looking for Eric – and it is an unfashionably uncynical and unironic kind of comedy. In many ways this is his most relaxed and successful screen offering for some time. The Angels' Share could stand as a companion piece to Loach's Sweet Sixteen (2002) or even his early classic Kes (1969). Of course, it also draws upon the Ealing picture Whisky Galore: an apparently gentle comedy with a harder edge than at first appears.
Again, Loach has used non-professionals and first-timers: his leading man is newcomer Paul Brannigan, playing Robbie, a violent young Glasgow criminal on an assault...
Ken Loach's latest collaboration with screenwriter Paul Laverty is warm, funny and good-natured. It's a freewheeling social-realist caper – unworldly and at times almost childlike. Loach has for my money found a happy comic register – happier, I think, than his Looking for Eric – and it is an unfashionably uncynical and unironic kind of comedy. In many ways this is his most relaxed and successful screen offering for some time. The Angels' Share could stand as a companion piece to Loach's Sweet Sixteen (2002) or even his early classic Kes (1969). Of course, it also draws upon the Ealing picture Whisky Galore: an apparently gentle comedy with a harder edge than at first appears.
Again, Loach has used non-professionals and first-timers: his leading man is newcomer Paul Brannigan, playing Robbie, a violent young Glasgow criminal on an assault...
- 5/22/2012
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Catch up with the last seven days in the world of film
The big story
It's kind of difficult to miss: Cannes 2012 started yesterday: the bees knees when it comes to film festivals. With oceans of frocked-up glamour, yards of cutting-edge features, hordes of grinning A-listers, and enough buzz to drown out the incessant whine of private jets flying overhead, it's finally here.
The opening film, as you may or may not have gathered, was Moonrise Kingdom, the new one from Wes Anderson, boasting the mix of big shots and quirkmeisters we have come to expect. Here's what Peter Bradshaw thought of it, here's what Peter and the rest of the Guardian's team were prepared to say on camera, and here's what the whole thing looked like.
Of course, Cannes isn't just about one film: there's a whole competition lineup to get through before the Palme d'Or is declared on Sunday week.
The big story
It's kind of difficult to miss: Cannes 2012 started yesterday: the bees knees when it comes to film festivals. With oceans of frocked-up glamour, yards of cutting-edge features, hordes of grinning A-listers, and enough buzz to drown out the incessant whine of private jets flying overhead, it's finally here.
The opening film, as you may or may not have gathered, was Moonrise Kingdom, the new one from Wes Anderson, boasting the mix of big shots and quirkmeisters we have come to expect. Here's what Peter Bradshaw thought of it, here's what Peter and the rest of the Guardian's team were prepared to say on camera, and here's what the whole thing looked like.
Of course, Cannes isn't just about one film: there's a whole competition lineup to get through before the Palme d'Or is declared on Sunday week.
- 5/17/2012
- The Guardian - Film News
All the latest news, reviews, comment and buzz from the Croisette, as it happens
9.53am: Bonjour mesdames et messieurs, it's Wednesday 16th May and that can only mean one thing: the 2012 Cannes film festival is open for business. They've dusted down the red carpet, springcleaned the cinemas, and installed thousands of metal barriers for the 12-day frenzy of film on the Riviera.
Right around now the world's critics are pushing and shoving their way into the press screening for Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom, the festival opener; in a couple of hours from now we'll know whether it's hot... or not.
We've sent a crack team out to the Croisette to bring you all the news, reviews and reactions: Peter Bradshaw, Xan Brooks, Catherine Shoard, Charlotte Higgins, Jason Solomons, Henry Barnes and Elliot Smith. We'll also be running a daily live blog to be your one-stop shop for all things Cannes-related.
9.53am: Bonjour mesdames et messieurs, it's Wednesday 16th May and that can only mean one thing: the 2012 Cannes film festival is open for business. They've dusted down the red carpet, springcleaned the cinemas, and installed thousands of metal barriers for the 12-day frenzy of film on the Riviera.
Right around now the world's critics are pushing and shoving their way into the press screening for Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom, the festival opener; in a couple of hours from now we'll know whether it's hot... or not.
We've sent a crack team out to the Croisette to bring you all the news, reviews and reactions: Peter Bradshaw, Xan Brooks, Catherine Shoard, Charlotte Higgins, Jason Solomons, Henry Barnes and Elliot Smith. We'll also be running a daily live blog to be your one-stop shop for all things Cannes-related.
- 5/16/2012
- by Andrew Pulver
- The Guardian - Film News
Ken Loach's new film The Angels' Share is one of the big contenders at Cannes. Will its star – Glaswegian binman Gary Maitland – finally give up the day job?
Like many people, Gary Maitland juggles two jobs. For both, he must wake at 6.30am. But it's only when he's working as a movie star that he gets chauffeur-driven to work. South Lanarkshire council does not, as yet, extend this service to its binmen.
The Glaswegian's days of merely moonlighting on the big screen – he has already appeared in two Ken Loach films – look to be drawing to a close, though. This week, he will emerge into the limelight: his latest collaboration with Loach, The Angels' Share, is in competition at the Cannes film festival, and he will be there to promote it.
Maitland has been to France before, travelling through by coach to see Rangers play in the Netherlands. This...
Like many people, Gary Maitland juggles two jobs. For both, he must wake at 6.30am. But it's only when he's working as a movie star that he gets chauffeur-driven to work. South Lanarkshire council does not, as yet, extend this service to its binmen.
The Glaswegian's days of merely moonlighting on the big screen – he has already appeared in two Ken Loach films – look to be drawing to a close, though. This week, he will emerge into the limelight: his latest collaboration with Loach, The Angels' Share, is in competition at the Cannes film festival, and he will be there to promote it.
Maitland has been to France before, travelling through by coach to see Rangers play in the Netherlands. This...
- 5/15/2012
- by Catherine Shoard
- The Guardian - Film News
EOne have sent over this first batch of images from their new movie, The Angel’s Share whcih is set for release 1st June. The film stars John Henshaw (Looking for Eric), William Ruane (The Wind that Shakes the Barley), Gary Maitland (Sweet Sixteen), Roger Allam (Tamara Drewe) and introduces new Scottish talent – Paul Brannigan, Siobhan Reilly and Jasmin Riggins and is directed by the legendary Ken Loach with a script from Paul Laverty.
The wayward and disillusioned Robbie sneaks into the maternity hospital to visit his young girlfriend Leonie and hold his new-born 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 and while serving a community service order, he meets Rhino, Albert and Mo who, like him,...
The wayward and disillusioned Robbie sneaks into the maternity hospital to visit his young girlfriend Leonie and hold his new-born 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 and while serving a community service order, he meets Rhino, Albert and Mo who, like him,...
- 4/4/2012
- by David Sztypuljak
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Director Ken Loach has always strived for realism in his socially-conscious films, so it's no surprise that his next project is a documentary about socialism. Enjoying the most prolific decade of his long career, the 75-year-old director's last film, the 2010 drama-thriller "Route Irish," examined the corruption of private contractors working in Iraq, while his foray into documentary, titled "Spirit of '45," will be an even broader affair — focusing on the changes to the social and political landscape of Britain immediately following the end of World War II.
Loach is already hard at work on the seemingly laborious film, which, according to Variety, will ultimately study "how the spirit of a new kind of socialism shaped that time and continues to reflect in modern-day Blighty." To make the doc, Loach will utilize footage from the U.K.'s regional and national archives, as well as photographs, sound recordings and contemporary interviews.
Loach is already hard at work on the seemingly laborious film, which, according to Variety, will ultimately study "how the spirit of a new kind of socialism shaped that time and continues to reflect in modern-day Blighty." To make the doc, Loach will utilize footage from the U.K.'s regional and national archives, as well as photographs, sound recordings and contemporary interviews.
- 3/30/2012
- by Ryan Gowland
- The Playlist
Certain careers are worth following turn for turn, even after a seemingly unbelievable amount of time. Martin Scorsese, for instance, continues to create powerful, meaningful works of cinema long after most directors would have languished or retired. So too has director Ken Loach managed to not only continue his streak of excellent cinema, but to actually grow his skill throughout his over 40-year long career. So when images from his new film The Angels’ Share arrive from the production company (via The Playlist), you’d better believe it’s an occasion to make note of.
The images show some common Loach hallmarks. Down on their luck lower class people sticking together or suffering alone. All of them give a strong sense of place and character.
The Angel’s Share follows the fortunes of a new father who tries to make a life for himself by distilling whisky following a close-call...
The images show some common Loach hallmarks. Down on their luck lower class people sticking together or suffering alone. All of them give a strong sense of place and character.
The Angel’s Share follows the fortunes of a new father who tries to make a life for himself by distilling whisky following a close-call...
- 2/20/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
The word "legend" gets thrown around a lot, but it's a mantle that filmmaker Ken Loach fully deserves. We're not going to recap the many accomplishments and honors his lengthy career has seen so far, but in the last few years his energy and curiousity have shown no signs of abating. His work has ranged from early 20th century drama ("The Wind That Shakes The Barley"), footballer dramedy ("Looking For Eric") and post-Iraq War meditations ("Route Irish") and for his next effort, we'll see another change of focus. Loach geared up lensing on "The Angels' Share" last spring, and all signs point to a return to Cannes for the filmmaker with a summer release overseas looming his film. A handful of returning players come to play with the director again including John Henshaw ("Looking for Eric"), William Ruane ("The Wind That Shakes the Barley"), Gary Maitland ("Sweet Sixteen") and Roger.
- 2/20/2012
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
#76. Angel's Share Director: Ken Loach Writer(s): Paul LavertyProducers: Rebecca O'BrienDistributor: Rights Available The Gist: This 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...(more) Cast: Loach regulars John Henshaw, William Ruane, Gary Maitland, Roger Allam with Paul Brannigan, Siobhan Reilly and Jasmin Riggins. List Worthy Reasons...: Ken Loach isn't showing any signs of slowing down in his fourth decade of filmmaking, but what's noteworthy in this portion of the Palme D'Or winning English filmmaker's career is how his material, and not his trademark realism is switching up the tone. Shot in Glasgow and penned by his right-hand man Paul Laverty,...
- 1/5/2012
- IONCINEMA.com
In give or take 364 days from now, the 65th edition of the Cannes film festival will be upon us. I know it's absurd, but there are some bonafide films in the works from some Cannes vets and according to these prognostications I supply below, we'll have one more heavyweight event with the possible participation from the likes of Abbas Kiarostami, Olivier Assayas, Paul Thomas Anderson and Hou Hsiao Hsien being joined by recent Palme d'Or winners (2008 and 2009) Laurent Cantet and Michael Haneke. Here are 30 films we'd bet a 2 on that should/might make next year's edition. We'll obviously be more in the know come fall film festival time when projects that aren't greenlite would be pulled from such a list and when we find if filmmakers such as Brillante Mendoza, Lou Ye, Andrea Arnold and Wkw (you never know how much extra time he needs) choose to wait it out or not.
- 5/24/2011
- IONCINEMA.com
In his mid-70s, with a decades-spanning career behind him, director Ken Loach continues to be a strong cinematic voice. His last few films "The Wind That Shakes the Barley," "Looking for Eric" and "Route Irish" commanded solid critical notices and found the helmer's talents still firing on all fronts. And he continues to work at a prolific pace as he's already lined up his next gig. A handful of returning players John Henshaw ("Looking for Eric"), William Ruane ("The Wind That Shakes the Barley"), Gary Maitland ("Sweet Sixteen") and Roger Allam ("Tamara Drewe") and newcomers Paul Brannigan, Siobhan Reilly and…...
- 4/22/2011
- The Playlist
The Sweet Sixteen veteran film-maker is coming back to Glasgow to shoot his new movie The Angel’s Share, a comedy about a ned who makes last try to stay out of prison.
Filming on bittersweet comedy The Angels’ Share is set to start next week. The project re-teaming Ken Loach with Paul Laverty, who previously wrote two scripts for Loach – comedy-drama Looking for Eric (2009) and war-drama The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006). Loach’s long-time producer, Rebecca O’Brien, will be on board the project as well.
Thesps John Henshaw (Looking for Eric) and William Ruane (The Wind That Shakes the Barley) are familiar to director in the same way. Gary Maitland (Sweet Sixteen) and Roger Allam (Tamara Drewe) will costar, along perspective Scottish talent Paul Brannigan, Siobhan Reilly and Jasmin Riggins.
The story follows a new father who nearly escaped a prison sentence and with the help of...
Filming on bittersweet comedy The Angels’ Share is set to start next week. The project re-teaming Ken Loach with Paul Laverty, who previously wrote two scripts for Loach – comedy-drama Looking for Eric (2009) and war-drama The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006). Loach’s long-time producer, Rebecca O’Brien, will be on board the project as well.
Thesps John Henshaw (Looking for Eric) and William Ruane (The Wind That Shakes the Barley) are familiar to director in the same way. Gary Maitland (Sweet Sixteen) and Roger Allam (Tamara Drewe) will costar, along perspective Scottish talent Paul Brannigan, Siobhan Reilly and Jasmin Riggins.
The story follows a new father who nearly escaped a prison sentence and with the help of...
- 4/22/2011
- by Nikola Mraovic
- Filmofilia
BERLIN -- Train rides can run the gamut, from the anxiety of catching a train to the excitement of a journey and tedium of long waits and nettlesome fellow passengers. Thus, Tickets -- a directorial triptych in which Italy's Ermanno Olmi, Iran's Abbas Kiarostami and Britain's Ken Loach combine to stage three different stories all set on the same intercity train from Central Europe to Rome -- is all of these things. Sometimes engrossing and at other times tiresome, the movie is a real mixed bag.
Each of the three short stories -- which feature overlapping characters and actions jointly directed -- contains arresting moments. Collectively though, the movie fails to live up to its pedigree. Tickets is a natural for festivals and special distribution, but boxoffice will be tepid.
The order of the directors' billing indicates the sequence of their work. Remarkably, there are no abrupt stylistic changes despite separate cinematographers, editors and writers. (Paul Laverty wrote the Loach episode while the other directors wrote their own).
Olmi's opening act makes good use of the format by going for a single emotional effect in a cinematic fragment. A professor Carlo Delle Piane), forced to take the train when his plans called for air travel, reflects back on his day and his life.
He thinks of the gracious and attractive Austrian PR lady Valeria Bruni Tedeschi), who smoothed his way to the train, flirted with him at the station, then vanished from his life. Such thoughts mingle with childhood memories that underscore the transitory nature of life.
Kiarostami's episode sees a bullying and overweight woman Silvana De Santis) climb aboard with a beleaguered young man (Filippo Trojano), assigned to help her as part of his National Service. She sits in first-class seats reserved for others and finds creative ways to annoy everyone, including her servant.
Escaping from her for a moment, the lad engages in a flirtatious conversation with a young girl (Carolina Benvenga) who comes from the same town and knows him better than he realizes. When the woman again starts to harass him, he simply disappears and she cannot find him.
Loach's piece has three young and boisterous Scottish soccer fans (Martin Compston, William Ruane and Gary Maitland) travel on an impulsive journey to see their favorite club play in Rome. They encounter an Albanian boy (Klajdi Qorraj) wearing a Manchester United shirt and generously give him and his family some food. When one fan realizes his train ticket is missing, the three suspect that the boy stole it. When their suspicions are confirmed, his older sister (Blerta Cahani) tearfully explains the family's perilous predicament.
This is the most fully realized of the three tales as it demonstrates the richest sense of character, suspense and action. In the other two, the annoying woman is all too annoying and the professor's reveries are rather thin.
Shooting aboard a moving train, the filmmaking collective certainly capture the spirit of a chaotic train trip while introducing a few memorably characters.
TICKETS
A Fandango and Sixteen Films production
Credits:
Directors: Ermanno Olmi, Abbas Kiarostami, Ken Loach
Writers: Ermanno Olmi, Abbas Kiarostami, Paul Laverty
Producers: Carlo Cresto-Dina, Babak Karimi, Domenico Procacci, Rebecca O'Brien
Directors of photography: Fabio Olmi, Mahmoud Kalari, Chris Menges
Production designer: Alessandro Vannucci
Music: George Fenton
Costumes: Maurizio Basile
Editors: Giovanni Ziberna, Babak Karimi, Jonathan Morris. Cast:
Professor: Carlo Delle Piane
PR Lady: Valeria Bruni Tedeschi
Woman: Silvana De Santis, Fillipo: Filippo Trojano, Jamesy: Martin Compston, Frank: William Ruane, Spaceman: Gary Maitland, Girl: Blerta Cahani, Boy: Klajdi Qorraj
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 110 minutes...
Each of the three short stories -- which feature overlapping characters and actions jointly directed -- contains arresting moments. Collectively though, the movie fails to live up to its pedigree. Tickets is a natural for festivals and special distribution, but boxoffice will be tepid.
The order of the directors' billing indicates the sequence of their work. Remarkably, there are no abrupt stylistic changes despite separate cinematographers, editors and writers. (Paul Laverty wrote the Loach episode while the other directors wrote their own).
Olmi's opening act makes good use of the format by going for a single emotional effect in a cinematic fragment. A professor Carlo Delle Piane), forced to take the train when his plans called for air travel, reflects back on his day and his life.
He thinks of the gracious and attractive Austrian PR lady Valeria Bruni Tedeschi), who smoothed his way to the train, flirted with him at the station, then vanished from his life. Such thoughts mingle with childhood memories that underscore the transitory nature of life.
Kiarostami's episode sees a bullying and overweight woman Silvana De Santis) climb aboard with a beleaguered young man (Filippo Trojano), assigned to help her as part of his National Service. She sits in first-class seats reserved for others and finds creative ways to annoy everyone, including her servant.
Escaping from her for a moment, the lad engages in a flirtatious conversation with a young girl (Carolina Benvenga) who comes from the same town and knows him better than he realizes. When the woman again starts to harass him, he simply disappears and she cannot find him.
Loach's piece has three young and boisterous Scottish soccer fans (Martin Compston, William Ruane and Gary Maitland) travel on an impulsive journey to see their favorite club play in Rome. They encounter an Albanian boy (Klajdi Qorraj) wearing a Manchester United shirt and generously give him and his family some food. When one fan realizes his train ticket is missing, the three suspect that the boy stole it. When their suspicions are confirmed, his older sister (Blerta Cahani) tearfully explains the family's perilous predicament.
This is the most fully realized of the three tales as it demonstrates the richest sense of character, suspense and action. In the other two, the annoying woman is all too annoying and the professor's reveries are rather thin.
Shooting aboard a moving train, the filmmaking collective certainly capture the spirit of a chaotic train trip while introducing a few memorably characters.
TICKETS
A Fandango and Sixteen Films production
Credits:
Directors: Ermanno Olmi, Abbas Kiarostami, Ken Loach
Writers: Ermanno Olmi, Abbas Kiarostami, Paul Laverty
Producers: Carlo Cresto-Dina, Babak Karimi, Domenico Procacci, Rebecca O'Brien
Directors of photography: Fabio Olmi, Mahmoud Kalari, Chris Menges
Production designer: Alessandro Vannucci
Music: George Fenton
Costumes: Maurizio Basile
Editors: Giovanni Ziberna, Babak Karimi, Jonathan Morris. Cast:
Professor: Carlo Delle Piane
PR Lady: Valeria Bruni Tedeschi
Woman: Silvana De Santis, Fillipo: Filippo Trojano, Jamesy: Martin Compston, Frank: William Ruane, Spaceman: Gary Maitland, Girl: Blerta Cahani, Boy: Klajdi Qorraj
No MPAA rating
Running time -- 110 minutes...
- 2/15/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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