Angela's Ashes 1999

Critics score:
52 / 100

Reviews provided by RottenTomatoes

Roger Ebert, At the Movies: Lacking a heart. Read more

Susan Stark, Detroit News: For all its fidelity to the spirit and, in extended passages, to the letter of McCourt's book, however, Parker's film falls short. Read more

Philip Wuntch, Dallas Morning News: Despite its harsh scenes, Angela's Ashes will leave you with lovely memories. Read more

Janet Maslin, New York Times: The film isn't wrenching enough to do it justice. Read more

Steve Murray, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Mostly it's a series of visits to the welfare line. Read more

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: Primitive peoples, or so it's said, resist being photographed, believing that the creation of an image robs them of their souls. A quaint notion, perhaps, but how else can you explain what's happened to Angela's Ashes? Read more

Houston Chronicle: Read more

Steven Rosen, Denver Post: Lacks the magnificence of his book, but it is worth seeing. Read more

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: Angela's Ashes is the soggiest dud of all the major holiday releases. Read more

Globe and Mail: Read more

David Ansen, Newsweek: As well-crafted and sensitive as it is, the movie remains one step removed from inspiration. Read more

Peter Rainer, New York Magazine/Vulture: Read more

Andrew Sarris, New York Observer: Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: A quietly triumphant experience. Read more

Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com: The story of Frank McCourt's triumph makes it to the screen intact. It's the lyricism, the heartbeat, that seem to be missing. Read more

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: Angela's Ashes doesn't work as entertainment, and since it doesn't cure anything, it can't qualify as medicine, either. Read more

Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune: Read more

Geoff Andrew, Time Out: Read more

Todd McCarthy, Variety: Mostly misses the humor, lyricism and emotional charge of Frank McCourt's magical and magnificent memoir. Read more

Amy Taubin, Village Voice: The film lacks development and dramatic coherence. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: 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. Read more