Customer Reviews

Agnes Browne [VHS]

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4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Agnes Browne" is a genuine charmer, a simple, but heartwarming comedy/drama directed by and starring the magnificent Anjelica Huston. Set in a lower class Dublin neighborhood in 1967, the story centers around Agnes, an attractive woman whose husband has just died leaving her sole provider for her seven children, ranging in age from early adolescence to diaper-wetting toddler. With the love of her best friend, Marion, to support her (this almost seems to be more of a love story between them than between Agnes and Pierre, the local Frenchman who falls for her), Agnes learns to cope with financial set backs, the neighborhood extortionist, the growing pains of her children and, most tragically, the terminal illness of someone very dear to her heart.

"Agnes Browne" could have emerged as a heavy-handed wallow in tragedy and bathos, but those involved both in front of and behind the cameras have managed to maintain an air of breezy likeability even in the film's darkest moments. If there is a criticism to be leveled against the movie, it would probably be that the film is actually - at a mere 92-minute running time - a bit too short. We occasionally feel we are being rushed from one event to another without time for proper reflection. Moreover, a number of the characters - prime among them Pierre and several of the children - tend to get lost in the shuffle. As the silent, sensitive and understanding merchant who woos and wins Agnes, Pierre simply seems too much like the "ideal man" stereotype who always seems to be just waiting in the wings the moment one of these attractive but harried movie widows/divorcees is starting life anew out on her own.

A much more well rounded and three-dimensional character is that of Agnes' best friend, Marion, (beautifully portrayed by Marion O'Dwyer), a warmhearted, fun-loving woman who provides the kind of confidant and companion that all of us would love to have in our lives. But the real selling point of "Agnes Browne" is, undoubtedly, the luminous performance delivered by Anjelica Huston herself. This fine actress manages to flow seamlessly in and out of a wide variety of emotionally demanding moods and moments. Stern and demanding one moment, she can be forgiving and loving the next. Whether alternately strong or vulnerable, idealistic or pragmatic, heartbroken or joyful, Agnes is a character who demands and earns the complete attention and respect from the audience who can't help but be riveted by her every move. With her glowing portrayal, Huston literally lights up the center of this movie.

Yes, the fairy tale ending may seem a bit out of place perhaps. Yet, in a way, for all its moments of death, heartbreak and sorrow, "Agnes Browne" never really aspires to be anything BUT a charming fairy tale. Given the quality of so much of what we see up on the screen, we really couldn't ask for more.

In Dublin, 1967, a woman with seven children is suddenly faced with the travails of widowhood in "Agnes Browne," directed by and starring Anjelica Huston. After the unexpected death of her husband, life becomes something less than a picnic for Agnes (Huston), what with children ranging in age from two to fourteen and no assets to speak of. She keeps her head above water and some food on the table by selling fruit at an outdoor market, but makes barely enough to make ends meet, while she awaits her widow's pension from her late husband's union. But even when and if it comes, she realizes it won't be enough on which to live. It's a bleak state of affairs for Agnes, who luckily has a dear friend, Marion (Marion O'Dwyer), who is always there for her; and with friendship, a sense of humor, and the dream of seeing Tom Jones in concert, it's enough to keep her going as she manages to take it all one day at a time. There are poignant moments in this character driven, heartwarming film, as well as some funny ones; Huston has done an outstanding job of creating a mood and an atmosphere that brings the Irish working class vividly to life, and she populates her landscape with characters who are not only real, but incredibly rich in their humanity. She captures the heart of Agnes and the others with an emotional depth that draws in the viewer and allows the empathy through which an intimate bond with the characters is established. And they quickly become more than just characters in a story; these are people you come to care about, and when something bad or untoward happens to any of them, you feel it just as deeply as they. Huston gives a terrific performance as Agnes, imbuing her with both a strength and vulnerability that make her real. She has a look of world-weariness about her, but there's a glint of hope and humor in her eyes, which are like a doorway to her soul; you need only look there to know what she is feeling inside. And Huston plays it all so perfectly. In her motion picture debut, O'Dwyer gives a memorable performance as well, as Marion; though nondescript in appearance, there is nevertheless something charming about this woman, and it has everything to do with "character." Through her unwavering loyalty to Agnes she personifies the meaning of friendship, and exemplifies how invaluable a true friend can be, especially in times of need. It's a touching portrayal that is one of the strengths of the film. The supporting cast includes Niall O'Shea (Mark), Ciaran Owens (Frankie), Roxanna Williams (Cathy), Carl Power (Simon), Mark Power (Dermot), Ray Winstone (Mr. Billy), June Rodgers (Fat Annie), Jennifer Gibney (Winnie the Mackerel) and Tom Jones as himself. No stranger to all things Irish, Huston was the perfect choice to star in and direct this project. With "Agnes Browne," she succeeds splendidly, with a film that is striking both visually and emotionally. And, lest it be taken for granted, one need but consider Alan Parker's "Angela's Ashes," which visited the same territory but came off flat and uninspired, especially compared to Huston's film, which so distinctly and fervently imparts the essence of the proud Irish poor. Largely ignored during it's theatrical release, this film hopefully will find a second life on DVD and video, and realize the acclaim it so richly deserves. A real sleeper, this is a gem of a film just waiting to be discovered.

I was watching the movie on the WE network and just had to order the DVD. This was fabulously done and a real "must see" by those
seeking tounge-in-cheek romantic drama.

Agnes Browne is one of my favorite Irish films of all time. Set in Dublin in 1967, it is about the struggles of Agnes, played by Academy Award winner Angelica Huston, who also directed the film, A Moore Street fruit and veg stand vendor, whose husband dies in an auto accident, and she is left to raise their seven children. Anjelica had much of her early education in Ireland, so she knows about Irish life, and made sure that her film was loaded with realism. My wife was born and raised in Ireland, and says that Anjelica's Dublin accent was flawless. She was not so kind about other American acresses, playing Irish parts, like Julia Roberts in "Michael Collins," or Cameron Diaz in "Gangs of New York." The language in this film might seem a little strong to somw viewers, but it is very realistic for Dubliners, so it adds to the film's quest to just "Tell it like it is." Huston surrounded herself with experienced Irish actors, led by Marion O'Dwyer, who plays her best friend and fellow street vendor Marion. The friendship between these two is one of the highlights of this amazing film, but the interaction between the two of them with other venders carries a lot of weight also. In her situation, Agnes was bound to have financial problems, and went to local gangster "Mister Billy," who thinks nothing of dealing with children and has an unorthodox collection system, and no sympathy for the poor souls he lends money to. Overall, this film keeps drawing you in, and makes you want more, which is why you feel kind of sorry when it ends, because you want it to continue. My wife and I watch Agnes Browne whenever we need a pick-me-up, and we always feel better after watching it.

Agnes Browne has to be one of my all time favorite movies. I have watched this numerous times and walk away each time with something new. It's about friendship, life, struggles...and Angelica Houston is just so fabulous. WOW! I laughed and cried so much throughout the movie, I went throught tissue after tissue. Watch with you're best girlfriend. I know I sent a copy to mine. I also own one and bought another for my Mother. A movie that just really stayed with me.

Set in Dublin in the late 1960s, it stars Angelica Huston and is totally terrific. As the movie opens, AgnesBrowne (Huston) is newly widowed with seven children.

The story follows the ups and downs of Agnes's life following the death of her husband. There are tears, laughter, and romance. And a great appearance by singer Tom Jones. Highly recommended! This is from the Mrs. Browne trilogy by Irish stand-up comic, Brendan O'Carroll (The Mammy, The Chisellers, and The Granny)Yes, you need tissues, but in the end it is totally uplifting. It also made me want to book an Aer Lingus flight ASAP.

Having discovered Brendon OCarroll's The Mammy and The Chislers, I was delighted to hear the first book had been made into a movie with Angelica Huston. This is a wonderful movie of a woman's learning to live after the death of her husband. You suspect Agnes Brown has never asked too much of life, or her now departed husband. She struggles to survive and to keep her family fed and together. At her side are the seven children, the neighborhood and her dearest friend Marion. The friendship between the two women is the heart of this film. I was moved to tears as I watched the two of them laugh and cry, and cling to one another for support. There is also a blosseming friendship/romance with a new resident of the neighborhood, and a truly terrifying resident in the form of the local small town loanshark. Early in the film is one of the funniest funeral scenes I have ever witnessed, leaving me laughing out loud. But the heart of this movie is the elegent Angelica Huston as Agnes and the bighearted Marion, played by Marion O'Dwyer. Their friendship is the lynchpin of this film, and will make you want to call your best friend.

This was a feel good movie that made me laugh & cry & made one think about special friendships

Some movies never get the attention they should. My parents rented one of these this weekend. It was called Agnes Browne and was actually based on a novel I reviewed for Ohio University's The Post, The Mammy. The book had me in stitches. The movie was not quite as good, but not quite as good as excellent is still great.
The film stars Angelica Huston. Actually, she does just about everything in this movie. The story starts off with a woman going to collect widow's pension. Her husband has only been dead half a day and already she is moving on. She has to for the sake of her seven children.

The film is funny and sad. It is the same as many Irish movies. There is humor amid great heartache and so one is left feeling a little unsure of their emotions at the film's end. The author of the book this movie was based in acted in the film Angela's Ashes, so he knew how to extract the right combination of emotions.

There is one more aspect of this film worth mentioning. Angelica Huston is not the only big name in it. Tom Jones has an important, although brief role. He is elevated to his sex-symbol status of days of old. And quite frankly, with him in a movie, how can you go wrong?!?

Read the review of the book I did. The book is great too. [...]

ANJELICA HUSTON not only stars but also DIRECTS this 1999 film based on BRENDAN O'CARROLL's Irish novel "The Mammy"! "AGNES BROWNE" is the story of a woman who tries to find herself after her husband dies! Set in the late 1960's, we watch as this WIDOW struggles to not only create a NEW LIFE for herself but to raise SEVEN CHILDREN! This is a FUNNY but also TENDER drama. MARION O'DWYER and RAY WINSTONE stand out in the supporting cast! Special Note: TOM JONES appears in this one as himself! Really!