Customer Reviews

Angie

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Originally intended for Madonna (who can't act & would have definately STUNK!), this was an excellent role for Geena Davis. "Angie" is a film about an Italian/American woman from the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn, N.Y. Her mom left her when she was a child & because of this she has a romanticized notion of her mother & a deep fear of abandonment. She wants more out of life than her working class plumber boyfriend (and father of her child) can offer her so she falls in love with a lawyer from Ireland while pregnant(someone as far removed from her Brooklyn world as possible!) After the baby is born, the lawyer dumps her & she also feels rejected by her son (you'll have to see the movie to find out why) so she heads off to Texas to finally face her mom for some type of closure. Yes, this character's angst & situations can be overwhelming , but real life can be like that too sometimes. The musical score, by Jerry Goldsmith, is excellent (particularly "Angie's Theme") & compliments the movie wonderfully. The movie also has a knack for capturing the New York Italian/American experience authentically. At times, "Angie" feels like a hybrid of other films ("Working Girl", "Beaches", "Saturday Night Fever", & "Moonstruck") but it works.

Though Geena Davis is a great actress, good at playing particularly strong-willed women, the screenplay for "Angie" just meanders all over the place, from light comedy to the staunchest of melodramas.

I mean, what kind of a movie has a woman go into labor while gyrating in a Santa Claus suit then show her give birth to a one-armed baby, get abandoned by her married lover, watch as her stepmother breast-feeds the one-armed baby, abandons said baby, finds her long-lost mother (who it turns out is a schizophrenic), learns that one-armed baby is in a coma... all in about 15 minutes.

This was one of the most uneven films I've ever seen. Turturro's particularly good in it as the best friend, yet her character is left out of the final half hour, though she's a central character, and never returned to. Rea and Gandolfini's potentials are completely wasted in a movie that just doesn't seem to know what to do with itself.

What a shame this movie is out of print in VHS format. Maybe since two of the cast members went on to star in the HBO phenomenon "The Sopranos," it will be reissued, perhaps in DVD. We can only hope.

James Gandolfini has what was probably his best film role in this 1994 film directed by Martha Coolidge (Rambling Rose et al.). Ironic that his meatiest film role, finds him looking a lot leaner (maybe it's about time he considered salads). For once he's not cast as a hood or a thug. Aida Turturro is along for the ride as well, and has a good time playing the role of the title character's put upon best friend.

That title character is the brassy, spirited young Brooklyn woman faced with the dilemma of unwanted pregnancy and a potentially stifling marriage. As played by Geena Davis, Angie is much more than the "woman's movie" cliche she could have been. Davis turns in a multi-dimensional performance that should have been more widely recognized. Unfortunately, despite the top-notch acting, the movie is often quite static and the pacing listless. It has the feel of a late-70s woman's self-discovery flick--which feels a little dated (and was even in the early 90s). Still it's a worthwhile film with fine acting. Recommended with reservation.

I found this to be an endearing movie. I didn't want to watch, but couldn't turn away from Angie's pain during her self discovery. She has made poor decisions and was always looking for the greener grass, but comes to find she is her own worst enemy, and best friend.

Angie is the story of a woman who leads a mediocre, lower middle class life in New York. Angie settled for the same boyfriend she's had since highschool and apparenty fell into an unchallenging job along with her life long friend as co-worker... prepared to stick to the status quo until kingdom come doesn't even scratch the surface.

The only memories of her mother dead mother are unphased pictures in her mind of a few brief moments as a girl. She is, however, inandated with the short tales from her father and socially-awkward step mother that are less than merciful and don't save a daughter's fond memories of mom.
When Angie gets pregnant by her boyfriend, she dares to imagine that things can be really different, and decides not to marry him, against everyone else's advice.

Angie meets a new, artsy guy who sweeps her off her feet....after she says "uncle." When the baby is born at Christmas there's an unexpected twist that reminds us all that the past won't be ignored, the truth will always surface, and you can't betray your feelings and fears. You should always go home, but you don't have to be exactly the same person when you step over the threshold!

Overall great movie to watch with the girls!

Martha Coolidge also directed "Rambling Rose" with Laura Dern, which was much the better picture. This was nowhere near that level. It was very soap opera-ish, with an "Oprah" feel to it. Melodramic, a woman's picture. If you like Geena Davis, you're in. But there was one line at the end - - "I figure everybody's got something broken in their lives. It's up to the less broken to take care of the more broken" - - that is memorable. "Angie's" ending was too warm and perfect. There were some good scenes, but the whole crisis was set up by Angie's dad, who never really told her about her mother. Too contrived. Her feelings about motherhood were good, though. And I liked her stepmom. She had a lot of good lines.

actually, Christina from Canada, Angie becomes pregnant by Vinnie, and then she dates Noel. Otherwise I agree w/ what everyone else said about this movie. And James Gandolfini is actually pretty good looking & much less scary when thin.

Geena Davis is excellant in a movie that is funny, touching, and dramatic. Angie is a woman who was abandoned by her mother, has a baby, and tries to figure out what her life holds for her. The actors script and score are great. Recommended

Angie I already own this on VHS and am updating my collection.The Service was EXCELLENT the shipping was fast and I am VERY Pleased with both the service AND the product.

A middle class woman (Oscar-Winner:Geena Davis) gets her life changed, when she gets pregant by a Witty, Romantic Englishman (Stephen Rea) and she break-up with her Working Class Boyfriend (James Gandolfini), then she begins to Question herself everything about her life.

Directed by Martha Coolidge has made a Charming Dramatic Comedy. Davis delivers one of her Best Performance. This film will touch something deep in the Viewers Hearts. Laserdisc Edition has an Running Commentary Track by Coolidge and Deleted Scenes. A well made film. Panavision. Grade:A-.