Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageAgnes Browne (1999)
Director: Anjelica Huston
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Adapted from Irish comedian Brendan O'Carroll's autobiographical novel The Mammy, this would-be heartwarming melodrama offers director/star Anjelica Huston the chance to play a character so utterly noble she never convinces us for a moment. Late '60s Dublin finds the recently widowed Agnes Browne with seven young mouths to feed. She works on a fruit and veg stall, and loan shark Mr Billy (Winstone in Bill Sikes mode) is threatening to break down her door. Meanwhile, best pal Marion (O'Dwyer) gets bad news from the doctor. What's more, neither of them can afford to see the forthcoming Tom Jones concert. It sounds corny, it is corny, and although Huston's performance is indefatigable, the whole picture exists merely to offer its leading lady the chewiest of roles. It might have played better as an urban fairytale, but Huston labours under the mistaken impression that this is gritty drama.Author: TJ
Cast & crew
Director: Anjelica Huston
Producer: Jim Sheridan, Arthur Lappin, Greg Smith
Cast: Anjelica Huston, Marion O'Dwyer, Ray Winstone, Arno Chevrier, Gerard McSorley, Niall O'Shea, Ciarán Owens, Roxanna Williams, Carl Power full cast
Duration: 92 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now