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Angela's Ashes

Play trailer Poster for Angela's Ashes R 2000 2h 25m History Drama Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
52% Tomatometer 84 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
In 1935 when it is more common for Irish families to leave their famine-stricken country for America, the impoverished McCourt family does the reverse. Following the sudden death of her 7-week-old daughter, Angela (Emily Watson) and her unemployable, alcoholic husband, Malachy Sr. (Robert Carlyle), set sail from New York Harbor to Cork with their four children.
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Angela's Ashes

Angela's Ashes

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Critics Consensus

In spite of its attempts to accurately record Frank McCourt's memoirs, the onscreen adaptation fails to capture any of the drama or humor of his life.

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Critics Reviews

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Desson Thomson Washington Post Jan 1, 2000
Of course, the movie is a thinner version of the novel, but you still get a drama that has you laughing and brokenhearted, often at the same time. Go to Full Review Jonathan Foreman New York Post Jan 1, 2000
3.5/4
Watson, the queen of suffering-female roles, is as good as ever. Go to Full Review David L. Beck San Jose Mercury News Jan 1, 2000
This one will disappoint fans of the book and repulse those who have not read it. Go to Full Review Tom Cassidy Common Sense Media Dec 1, 2021
4/5
Seeing the bleak, rainy, flooded slums of 1930s Ireland through the eyes of the young lead character, we're spared the total despair of his parent's grief and sometimes find fun in the dirtiest corners of the drab streets. Go to Full Review Patricia Hluchy Maclean's Magazine Oct 14, 2019
One of the film's strengths is the art direction: never has back-lane Ireland looked so festering, sombre and raindrenched. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Mar 17, 2011
C
A tedious, vastly disappointing film that does not do justice to the wonderful and touching book upon which it is based. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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thiago S @Thiagostone May 22, 2026 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Liam Y @LiamBYoung Apr 2, 2026 this was just awful boring and disgusting most of the way through do not waste your time with this movie See more May 23, 2021 One of my favorite book's! Even though I feel like the book and the movie are completely different, it still was an Amazing movie! Definitely recommend watching! See more dane m @RT88449406 Apr 20, 2021 Critics: 51%?? Audience: 81% What is wrong with the critics? They complain about it not being honest enough. Bullcarp. Read the book first. Then watch it. You'll get the gist of the misery and hopelessness. Alan Parker knows Ireland and the people who live and barely live in it. I loved it. And I'm only half Irish. See more Joanna B @RT57557838 Dec 23, 2020 I loved it. It was absolutely amazing to watch. See more Sep 19, 2020 I have seen it - I remember very little of it but I remember being moved by the story and the drama See more Read all reviews
Angela's Ashes

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Alan Parker

Director

Emily Watson

Angela McCourt

Robert Carlyle

Malachy McCourt Sr.

Joe Breen

Young Francis "Frank" McCourt

Ciaran Owens

Middle Francis "Frank" McCourt

Michael Legge

Older Francis "Frank" McCourt

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Angela's Ashes

Angela's Ashes (1999) Angela's Ashes (1999) Ciaran Owens (front center) as Middle Frank in Paramount's Angela's Ashes Joe Breen as Young Frank, Robert Carlyle as Malachy and Emily Watson as Angela holding Sam and Ben O'Gorman as twins Eugene and Oliver, and Shane Murray Corcoran as Young Malachy Michael Legge as Older Frank in Paramount's Angela's Ashes Young Frank (Joe Breen) and Young Malachy (Shane Murray Corcoran) make their way past jeering kids in Paramount's Angela's Ashes Emily Watson as Angela in Paramount's Angela's Ashes Alan Parker, director of Paramount's Angela's Ashes Robert Carlyle as Malachy in Paramount's Angela's Ashes View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1935 when it is more common for Irish families to leave their famine-stricken country for America, the impoverished McCourt family does the reverse. Following the sudden death of her 7-week-old daughter, Angela (Emily Watson) and her unemployable, alcoholic husband, Malachy Sr. (Robert Carlyle), set sail from New York Harbor to Cork with their four children.
Director
Alan Parker
Producer
David Brown, Alan Parker, Scott Rudin
Screenwriter
Frank McCourt, Laura Jones, Alan Parker
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
David Brown Productions, Scott Rudin Productions, Dirty Hands Productions
Rating
R (Strong Language|Sexual Content)
Genre
History, Drama, Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 21, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 18, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$13.0M
Runtime
2h 25m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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