The Angels' Share Reviews

Charming dramedy about a group of working-class young people in Scotland, but nothing to get too excited about.

This is the 12th collaboration between director Ken Loach and writer Paul Laverty. Their previous efforts have been mostly very successful films and have largely dealt with the hardships of Scottish working class lifestyles. This is another slice of that life and yet another little treasure.
Young Glaswegian Robbie (Paul Brannigan) is sentenced to community service for repeatedly offending. He has a baby on the way and finds himself in a continual circle of violence with his girlfriend's father but he's desperate for a way out of his life of crime. He is taken under the wing of social worker Harry (John Henshaw) who teaches him the appreciation of fine malt Whiskies. It's only then, Robbie discovers a distillery that's home to a rare Scotch Whisky worth thousands of pounds and involves his friends to take some for themselves.
There is a Scots Gaelic way of referring to the alcoholic beverage Whisky and that is "Uisge Beatha", literally translating as 'Water of Life'. This name, in itself, could be a perfect title for this film (and it's themes) but Loach has gone and conjured up another one: When Whisky is matured over the years there's some that escapes from the casket and evaporates into thin air, never to be tasted or seen again. This is referred to as "The Angels' Share" and, on reflection, is a fitting title for the story.
Loach is one of those directors that has a perfect sense of realism. It just courses right through his films; from the storyline, through the setting to the authentic dialogue and untrained actors. This is no different and it shares a similar theme to two of his and Paul Laverty's earlier collaborations: "My Name Is Joe" and "Sweet Sixteen", in terms of a struggling protagonist trying to break free from his brutal environment and make a life for himself. What this has, that those two didn't, is a sense of humour and a delicate, lightness of touch. It doesn't get bogged down in the kitchen-sink mentality that you'd expect but breaks free from that mould to become a lighthearted caper movie. Don't get me wrong, Loach still has the power of gritty authenticity and on a few occasions he displays that but like the beverage they are concerned about in the film, it has a nice balance; it manages to be both rough and smooth. Glasgow is depicted as a brutal environment with damaged disillusioned youths and Loach's eye for locations and mostly untrained actors is ever present. All the performers deliver admirable and, in some cases, excellent work. A talent that Loach has shown over the years is his ability in finding these quality young actors. In a lot of ways he's become somewhat of a pioneer for Scottish cinema - the city of Glasgow in particular. No film set in Scotland's largest city would be complete without the humour though and in this case Loach and Laverty capture the idiom perfectly, delivering regular and balanced humour.
A slight change of pace from Ken Loach and more upbeat than fans of his will be accustomed to but he manages the understatement very well and delivers one of his most feel-good films to date.

The Angels' Share starts off as gritty drama and ends in feelgood light comedy. I like the idea and I like the meaning of the Angels' Share but for a Ken Loach film I did expect more. It's fairly unbalanced, a little contradictory and a little too whimsical given the films opening brutal scenes. I still enjoyed it, I just felt Ken Loach compromised somehow rather than stood out like his more recent work.

Ken Loach and Paul Leverty balance drama and humor quite well in this playful but realistic story that has a good heart and never loses its grip. It is really like savouring a fine Scotch whisky - a real pleasure to the senses that makes you always want some more.

'The Angels' Share'. You've seen the plot before, you'll still love it. The audience reaction to *that* scene was priceless!

When Robbie(Paul Brannigan) is brought before the judge on the charge of assault, he weighs that while it was self-defense, it was brutally so. Even with Robbie's previous record, he decides to sentence him to community payback, much to the consternation of some of those in the peanuts' gallery. And when Robbie is late on his first day, he is given a warning by his supervisor, Harry(John Henshaw), but makes good on it. Harry even gives him a ride to the hospital for the birth of his child but the family of Leonie(Siobhan Reilly), the expectant mother and Robbie's girlfriend, make sure to keep him away, even if they cannot keep the couple apart forever.

The one thing clear with any movie written by Paul Laverty and directed by Ken Loach is how much they love their characters, even if it is a kind of tough love, and that is especially true with the endearing "The Angels' Share." On a political note, they argue for a second chance for these petty offenders, and in the case of Robbie, it is more like a first chance, considering how poor his prospects were up until now.(There is a telling flashback that shows just how far he has come.) And just as the movie also tackles the important subjects of cultural appropriation and ignorance, it also has more than its share of odd tonal shifts, with one character being mainly kept around only for comic relief.

The latest movie of the director Ken Loach is a social realism pleasure to enjoy! Not many directors can transfer to a movie theatre such reverent depictions of the everyday life like he did in most of his creations. I am delighted that he keeps avoiding Hollywood and produces masterpieces seen and enjoyed by many film lovers. The Angels' Share is a Scottish comedy drama telling us a story of a young father from Glasgow, who narrowly avoids a prison sentence. Having trouble with the law previously and spending some time in prison he is determined to turn over a new leaf and when he and his friends from the same community payback group visit a whisky distillery, there is a big opportunity for a life change.

Superb casting of Paul Brannigan, John Henshaw, William Ruane, Gary Maitland, Jasmin Riggins, and Siobhan Reilly adds up depth and realism, as well as believability to the story. They were like the real deal! From the opening scenes everything seems like life itself... and when the protagonists are sentenced to hours of community service, you could feel the heaviness of the air in the courtroom! Events role - and there is never a dull moment from Robbie's (Paul Brannigan) first community service session under the guidance of Harry (John Henshaw), which is interrupted that he could be taken to the hospital by Harry as his girlfriend, Leonie (Siobhan Reilly), has gone into labour - to the end.

The film competed for the Palme d'Or at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival and Loach won the Jury Prize. In 31 years this was Loach's 11th film compete at the French festival with a great result. Don't miss this one!

Loach's films are always filled with realism but more than often are very gloom. This one on the other hand is rather fresh, with good doses of humour, as a bunch misfits touched by the kindness of a community service officer have decided to try and change their lives around, but not before one last scam... The result is delightful.

A strong first hour before the whole thing gets a little too whimsical for my taste, but overall this is a funny, sweet, and occasionally moving film.

A light Ken Loach film about redemption, and whiskey.

Only went because it rained. This movie is not a comedy but a funny drama. It is the greatest lie I have seen in ages. The consumption and production of alcohol is presented as something great and fantastic that makes life better succesful and happy. It makes it look like alcohol is the right way to go.

heartwarming and surprising; deals with social realism without losing hope for humanity. recommended.

The title had me wondering if it was gonna be a religious ambush flick, but it turned out to be one of the best titles in a long time--using the explanation given in the middle combined with the ending. It's a real independent gem, using little known actors (except for Roger Allam) with a dramedy story that goes where you would never guess from how it begins.

It's filmed on location in a more authentic modern Scotland than I've ever seen in film ever. The language is listed as English, so when subtitles started even before the first images, I was saying huh? But it was necessary since their Scottish brogue was so thick many in the rest of the UK would probably need it. Later, when some characters actually spoke the King's English, I had to remind myself I didn't need to read them. I did get better at understanding them as the movie progressed. Probably won't get a wide release because of it.

Quite an enjoyable little movie, that is much bigger than it seems. It's set in Scotland (and the subtitles actually do help) but Tom completely understood the protagonist's situation from his experienc growing up on the Westside of Buffalo. Ah, how universal (and few) are the themes of literary/dramatic forms! And there were classic, broad comedic scenes that I don't usually appreciate that had me guffawing out loud along with the whole audience. Well worth a night at the movies!

Great story! I was so surprised because I wasn't expecting anything.

Charming dramedy about a group of working-class young people in Scotland, but nothing to get too excited about.

Uncompromising film about a beleaguered working class with poetry and humor.

When Robbie(Paul Brannigan) is brought before the judge on the charge of assault, he weighs that while it was self-defense, it was brutally so. Even with Robbie's previous record, he decides to sentence him to community payback, much to the consternation of some of those in the peanuts' gallery. And when Robbie is late on his first day, he is given a warning by his supervisor, Harry(John Henshaw), but makes good on it. Harry even gives him a ride to the hospital for the birth of his child but the family of Leonie(Siobhan Reilly), the expectant mother and Robbie's girlfriend, make sure to keep him away, even if they cannot keep the couple apart forever.

The one thing clear with any movie written by Paul Laverty and directed by Ken Loach is how much they love their characters, even if it is a kind of tough love, and that is especially true with the endearing "The Angels' Share." On a political note, they argue for a second chance for these petty offenders, and in the case of Robbie, it is more like a first chance, considering how poor his prospects were up until now.(There is a telling flashback that shows just how far he has come.) And just as the movie also tackles the important subjects of cultural appropriation and ignorance, it also has more than its share of odd tonal shifts, with one character being mainly kept around only for comic relief.

Nothing like a few charming idiots to set the tone and pace for a winning ' got away with it ' genre. The beginning is a great intro, and the end needs to be celebrated with a swift pass over a glass of fine whiskey ,held high.