The Angel's Share

Synopsis: After severely bashing someone, angry young man Robbie (Paul Brannigan) narrowly escapes jail and is put on a community work order as he is about to become a father. He goes to work with a motley crew of other offenders, under the supervision of kindly Harry (John Henshaw). As they celebrate the baby’s birth, Harry introduces Robbie to the art of whisky-tasting and so appears an opportunity that may make a dramatic difference to the lives of Robbie and his new friends.

Renowned British realist director Ken Loach is 78 years old and still going strong. With the help of his regular collaborator, screenwriter Paul Laverty, he once again gets down to the nitty-gritty of ordinary people’s lives.

Despite his age Loach has a strong empathy with young people, particularly those who are doing it tough. Sweet Sixteen (2002) dealt with similar themes of impoverished youngsters from the wrong side of the tracks, but while that film was a deadly serious and tragic drama, The Angel’s Share  takes a much lighter approach.

From the opening scenes, Loach invites us to chuckle as drunken Albert narrowly escapes being killed by a train, (you’ll see why it’s funny!) and we are then privy to a series of court hearings in which the crimes and misdemeanours of various young reprobates are heard. Although the film’s humorous side continues as the ill-assorted group of offenders go to work under the watchful eye of Harry, Robbie’s crime, has graver repercussions as the louts who he attacked are keen for payback.

In characteristic Loachian style, serious issues are delicately balanced by many moments of light-heartedness.  We learn of the generational anger that has contributed to who Robbie is, and of his earnest desire to break the pattern. We are privy to a mediation session where we see the effect of Robbie’s crime on the victim and his family. We see people determined to keep Robbie down, including his girlfriend’s father. To counter this we get the kindness of Harry, willing to give people a go, and fostering the whisky-tasting talent in Robbie.

The wonderful world of whisky lends an informative and refreshing angle to the film. Who would have thought there was so much to discover about distilleries and whisky tastings? The wealthy, upper-class whisky wallahs contrast delightfully with the folks from Harry’s and Robbie’s world, although even they are not averse to a spot of underhand activity.

The choice of non-actor Brannigan brings an astonishing credibility to the role of Robbie, as he’d worked a lot with disadvantaged youth as part of a project to counter violence. While Robbie is rough and potentially lethal, we sense his desire for “decency”, and feel real compassion for him and admire his desire to grow as a person. Henshaw, a familiar face from countless British television shows, is the expansive and irrepressible Harry. He sees the good in everyone and is just the sort of bod any youngster in trouble should hook up with.

The Angel’s Share is a worthy, generous-spirited film with a good heart and plenty of warmth and it has been deservedly awarded both the Jury Prize at Cannes this year and the Audience Award at San Sebastian. It’s just a shame that Loach wouldn’t concede to subtitles, as at times the Scots brogue is almost incomprehensible.

 

Want something different?