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A Rumor of Angels (2002)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:29
Fresh:10
Rotten:19
Average Rating:4.7/10
Runtime: 1 hr 46 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: Peter O'Fallon's heartwarming drama tells the uplifting story of an unlikely friendship between an emotionally scarred young boy and a mournful older woman. Twelve-year-old James Neubauer (Trevor... Peter O'Fallon's heartwarming drama tells the uplifting story of an unlikely friendship between an emotionally scarred young boy and a mournful older woman. Twelve-year-old James Neubauer (Trevor Morgan) has never fully healed from the traumatic loss of his mother in a car accident. His father (Ray Liotta) has chosen to pretend it never happened, throwing himself headlong into work and a new life with James' stepmother (Catherine McCormack). For these reasons, James harbors a deep resentment for his father. The only friend he has is his quirky Uncle Charlie (Ron Livingston), but even Charlie is unable to provide the consolation James needs. Salvation miraculously arrives in the form of Maddy Bennett (Vanessa Redgrave), a local recluse who is still healing from a great loss of her own. When James accidentally breaks Maddy's fence, she demands that he fix it himself. What is initially a defensive, stubborn battle of egos slowly changes into an extremely close relationship that crosses all boundaries and helps both James and Maddy to confront and conquer their demons. Filmed with sensitivity, A RUMOR OF ANGELS boasts beautiful scenery, inspiring music by Mozart, and yet another unforgettable performance by the legendary Redgrave. [More]
Starring: Trevor Morgan, Vanessa Redgrave, Catherine McCormack, Ray Liotta
Starring: Trevor Morgan, Vanessa Redgrave, Catherine McCormack, Ray Liotta, Ron Livingston, George Coe
Director: Peter O'Fallon
Director: Peter O'Fallon
Screenwriter: Jamie Horton, Peter O'Fallon, James Eric
Producer: Lisa Hansen, Paul Hertzberg, Peter O'Fallon
Composer: Tim Simonec
Studio: MGM/UA
Reviews for A Rumor of Angels
For those with an aversion to such sentimentality, especially when associated with the spirit world, Vanessa Redgrave is still reason enough to see A Rumor of Angels.
The film's darker moments become smoothed over by an overwhelming need to tender inspirational tidings, especially in the last few cloying moments.
There are times when A Rumor of Angels plays like an extended episode of Touched by an Angel -- a little too much dancing, a few too many weeping scenes -- but I liked its heart and its spirit.
Given the fact that virtually no one is bound to show up at theatres for it, the project should have been made for the tube.
The actors are fantastic. They are what makes it worth the trip to the theatre.
The actors don't inhabit their roles -- they're trapped by them, forced to change behavior in bizarre unjustified fashion and spout dialog that consists mostly of platitudes.
A spiritual exploration of sorts, offering a message of hope that resonates.
The screenplay by James Eric, James Horton and director Peter O'Fallon ... is so pat it makes your teeth hurt.
The problem with movies about angels is they have a tendency to slip into hokum. A Rumor of Angels doesn't just slip -- it avalanches into forced fuzziness.
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