Boring

I was totally surprised at how great this film.You could feel your paranoia rise as the film went on and as you gradually learned the details of the real situation.

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

Excellent characters with emotional depth. My wife, daughter and granddaughter all enjoyed it...and me, too! Very good movie! You won't be disappointed.

Really surprised by Ken Loach! I've seen various of his films, and his films can be quite a cynical view on people at times despite the great ability to show humanity amongst it all as well.Here we have a more light-hearted movie as we see a handful of charming people who have been sentenced with community service to do, group together and find a cheeky way to get some money. Criminal it may be, but it all seems to not be (when it really is). Our main man really wants to change his life around now that he is a father and he is whom we concentrate our attention on.It's very funny, original, earthy and beautiful to watch. Some may have to concentrate to get to grips with the very strong Glasgow vernacular but it will be very much worth it.This is one I'd recommend to try. A nice simple gem of a movie. A really uplifting movie.

Set in contemporary Glasgow, THE ANGELS' SHARE does not shy away from portraying the squalid reality of many young peoples' lives. Robbie (Paul Brannigan) has to complete long hours of community service, together with his friends Rhino (William Ruane), Albert (Gary Maitland) and Mo (Jasmin Riggins), while having to cope with the perpetual threat of attack from long-time adversary Clancy (Scott Kyle). However Robbie's 'minder' Harry (John Henshaw), who supervises him on his community service, introduces Robbie to the intricacies of scotch whisky, and Robbie's life is transformed as a result. In an attempt to improve his life, he becomes involved in an elaborate plot to steal an exceptionally rare brand of Scotch from a Highland distillery. While Paul Laverty's screenplay does not shy away from the seamier sides of Glasgow life, it nonetheless suggests that people can be redeemed, so long as they are provided with moral as well as emotional support. Harry seems an unlikely figure in this respect, but his basic honesty stands out in a film full of shady characters. The four youngsters (Robbie and his friends) are totally convincing in their roles - so much so that we share their pleasure when their scheme eventually succeeds and they can look forward to a better life, however transient that might be.

Ken Loach has a long and prolific history as director of "social realism" dramas that wallow in the depths of British society. So I was taken by surprise when his latest, "The Angels' Share", after an expected, gritty first 30 minutes we spend with Glasgow's finest citizens, develops into a heist comedy and even ends on that feel-good note. Top performances here, especially Paul Brennigan as the violent team leader Robbie, John Henshaw as "Big Harry" who shepherds the delinquents during their community service and gives them their chance, and Siobhan Reilly as Leonie, Robbie's mate and mother of his son, in a small but important role, guiding him into taking responsibility. The story is very fairy-tale like, depending on a lot of lucky coincidences that finally lead Robbie and his three buddies into the Scottish highlands where they manage to pinch four bottles of the most expensive Scotch ever sold - the genius being that nobody will be the wiser about the theft since an uncertain amount of Whisky evaporates over time anyway, the so-called "Angels' Share". Robbie even manages to secure a future for himself, Leonie and his son. So, while this ends on a really sugar-sweet note, there remains a bit of cynic distance - it's a sad world where a promising young man can only escape his pigeonhole in society through a chain of miracles. But that's really a minor gripe. Recommended! btw. I saw this subtitled and was glad about it, the scotch accents are melodic and nice but when tempers rose and the talking got heated I dinnae understand f***.

The Angel's Share is a tale of struggle and hope through deprivation where there seems no way out. Robbie (Paul Brannigan) faces time behind bars for assault unless he can turn his life around. With no family, except for the one he is trying to create with his girlfriend, Robbie meets new friends while serving the community and a father figure in Harry (John Henshaw).Robbie first has to deal with his violent past as enemies are out for revenge while his girlfriend's father wants to get rid of him. Harry introduces him, and the other colourful juveniles, to a different side to Scotland through its heritage and national drink: Whisky! The making of in this case. Discovering a hidden nose for the dram Robbie becomes gripped by the Whisky connoisseur way of life so different from his own. He impresses Harry with his enthusiasm and skill and also a Whisky collector Thaddeus (Roger Allam). Robbie is himself impressed by a particularly rare malt being sold for a high price in the Highlands. Robbie decides he needs money for his new family and he needs it quick so he and his pals pack their bags, don their kilts and see what they can do about this vintage malt...I like the way Ken Loach makes films e.g. getting the script out only on the day of filming, as it creates spontaneity and real character from the actors. I thought Paul Brannigan was excellent for an amateur and brought his own troubled experiences through in a way that was genuine and heart-felt. I loved the characters in this film delivered by excellent comic actors with great timing. The Angel's Share is about struggle, friendship and Whisky so what's not to love? If I was trying to be funny at this point in the review I would say it's Glasgow's answer to Sideways (2004)...