“The Angel’s Share” (2012) is a British comedy directed by Ken Loach. This film follows Robbie (Paul Brannigan) as he narrowly dodges a prison sentence based solely on the fact he is to be a father. The judge gives him one last chance to change his ways for not only himself but his family. Unfortunately Robbie, having grown up with the roughest that Glasgow has to offer, finds that changing his ways may be easier said than done. During his community service Robbie and his fellow servers attend a whiskey distillery tour and discover a way in which they can make enough money to get them out of Glasgow and start a new life.
This is definitely a film of two halves. The first is the reality of growing up on the rough streets of Glasgow and falling in with the wrong crowd. We are presented with the troubling reality that teenagers, no matter how much they want to, find it incredibly hard to get out of that life. Robbie goes from one problem to the next and it seems it is only a matter of time before he snaps and winds up behind bars.
But then the second half comes; and after the gang have visited this whiskey distillery there seems to be a renewed sense of hope fornot only Robbie, but his mates too. There is a fantastic scene where Robbie and the gang are sat in a crusty flat, they are sat around the table smelling, tasting and trying to identify the variety of flavours in a particular whiskey. While at the same time Robbie’s old friends are sat watching the television, with cigarettes hanging out of their mouths, drunk and shouting at the programme. This scene is so memorable because it’s the point where we start to really build a connection with these four characters and we can see them actively trying to better themselves.
The film is full of laughs and cringe worthy moments. A lot of them brought about by the character Albert (Gary Maitland) who is the unintentional clown of the gang. He was absolutely brilliant and was reminiscent of Karl Pilkington with the blatant ignorance he possesses. But the real star of the show was the lead character Robbie. His portrayal of a troubled Glaswegian teenager was spot on. You really sympathise with this character as you know he wants to change, you can see that, but his old enemies are not prepared to let him go easily. Paul plays Robbie terrifically and the scene where Robbie is confronted with one of his victims is truly heartbreaking.
“The Angel’s Share” is truly a success in every sense of the word. There were enough laughs to ease the tension which begins to build right from the beginning of the film. The characters are so recognisable that when you first see them you find you have already judged them. But as the film progresses you are forced to challenge your initial opinion on them as you discover they are much more than they seem.
– by Oliver Willis
