Ash Wednesday (2002)
Rated: R [See Full Rating] for pervasive language and some violence
Runtime: 1 hr 39 mins
Theatrical Release: Oct 11, 2002 Limited
Synopsis: Ash Wednesday, 1980. Hell's Kitchen, New York City. Exactly three years ago, while tending bar, Sean Sullivan (Elijah Wood) overhears some mobsters who speak of a plan to murder his older brother, Francis (Edward Burns). Sean pulls a gun and shot at them. Soon thereafter, he goes missing, and... Ash Wednesday, 1980. Hell's Kitchen, New York City. Exactly three years ago, while tending bar, Sean Sullivan (Elijah Wood) overhears some mobsters who speak of a plan to murder his older brother, Francis (Edward Burns). Sean pulls a gun and shot at them. Soon thereafter, he goes missing, and only his arm is found. Three years later, Francis, who has given up his crime-ridden lifestyle and is now looking after Sean's widow (Rosario Dawson) and child, receives word that Sean may not be dead after all. Burns (BROTHERS MCMULLEN, SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK) also wrote and directed this moody crime drama. [More]
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Edward Burns, Elijah Wood, Rosario Dawson, Oliver Platt, Pat McNamara
DVD Info
Release:
Feb 18, 2003
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Keep Case
- Full Frame
Audio:
- Dolby Digital Stereo - English
Additional Release Material:
- Trailer
Interactive Features:
- Interactive Menus
- Scene Selection
Buy It On DVD
Reviews
...unlike [Scorsese's Mean Streets], Ash Wednesday is essentially devoid of interesting characters or even a halfway intriguing plot.
Ash Wednesday is not Edward Burns' best film, but it is a good and ambitious film. And it marks him as one of the most interesting writer/directors working today.
Burns' fifth beer-soaked film feels in almost every possible way -- from the writing and direction to the soggy performances -- tossed off.
This may be Burns's strongest film since The Brothers McMullen.
This time Mr. Burns is trying something in the Martin Scorsese street-realist mode, but his self-regarding sentimentality trips him up again.
For all its brooding quality, Ash Wednesday is suspenseful and ultimately unpredictable, with a sterling ensemble cast.
There ought to be a directing license, so that Ed Burns can have his revoked.
Despite the authenticity of the trappings, the film is overblown in its plotting, hackneyed in its dialogue and anachronistic in its style.


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