Ken Loach’s film festival darling deserves every plaudit bestowed on it. The British social realism master’s comedy-drama is a masterful concoction of poverty-driven desperation, sheer dumb luck and spirit.
After a trip to a distillery, lawbreaker Robbie (Paul Brannigan) and his community service group, Albert (Gary Maitland), Mo (Jasmin Riggins) and Rhino (William Ruane) realize there is a killing to be made from stealing a priceless cask of malt that is due to go under the hammer. What follows is a seemingly simple heist of Machiavellian proportions, the consequences of which are unashamedly fortuitous.
Our protagonists’ luck may seem implausible at first but upon further analysis, it is also the first they have ever experienced. These are the poorest of England’s working classes, born into broken homes, penniless lives and misery; it is no wonder they inevitably turn to petty crime. Thus, when Robbie realizes the only way he can provide for his wife and his newborn child is through this heist, we feel nothing but guiltless pleasure for him.
Whilst stealing is by no means the morally correct path by which to improve one’s life, the larger picture Loach is attempting to illustrate here is that there is no other way out for our leading characters. The group’s desperation is a consequence of Mr. Cameron’s unsympathetic Tory government, which is slowly guiding the country to rack and ruin through its prejudice against the poor. Unsurprisingly, Loach is its most vocal critic and his picture is in many ways a farcical tale of woe.
Cannes loves Loach. The Angel’s Share – his 11th film in 31 years to compete at what is the world’s most prestigious film festival – came third with the Jury Prize. A particularly strong year for arthouse cinema, the English veteran’s picture beat out competition from the likes of Abbas Kiarostami, Alain Resnais and Ulrich Seidl, to name a few.
An hour and a half well spent. However, if you are renting this one, it would probably do you good to switch on the subtitles: those Glaswegian accents may well mystify you…
Stars - ★★★
By Rehan Alexander Mudannayake
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The Angels' Share (2012)
Comedy | Drama
Narrowly avoiding jail, new dad Robbie vows to turn over a new leaf. A visit to a 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 and Gary Maitland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcQIvmR21VU
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