Well the long wait is over, Empire Falls finally premiered at the Waterville Opera House. I am lucky enough to work for one of the sponsors of the event so I was able to get an invitation, and it was worth the wait! Though living in the town in which it was filmed, for most of my life, I may be a little bias.
I was extremely pleased with the movie/mini series,which ever you choose to call this wonderful piece of work. But as I said before, I am a little bias. I know I am not alone in feeling a bit of ownership over this project, after all we {as in the people of the greater Waterville and Skowhegan areas} did play a huge part in this production. We volunteered for and were hired as crew members,we gathered in crowds and watched scenes being filmed,helped gather props {my wife and the rest of the staff at the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce among others},and some of us were even lucky enough to land bit parts as extras. The production was quite a site to see; just imagine driving to work and seeing Ed Harris, Helen Hunt, or even Paul Newman working on a small street corner in your home town!
This masterfully written book by Richard Russo was transformed into an equally impressive film. This film tells the story of Empire Falls,which could be any number of small towns in central Maine located on one of our many rivers. The story focuses mainly on Miles Roby {Harris} who runs the Empire Grill,and tells the story of his life and his town.The film also tells the stories of multiple other characters in this once thriving mill town,now a bit down on its luck due to the closing of its main source of employment, the mills.Talk about art imitating life, this is the story of central Maine only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. Mr. Russo and the rest of the production crew have done a wonderful job telling a great story,there are many flashbacks to Miles Roby's childhood but they flow in the film like the currents of the Knox {Kennebec} river.
The film from start to finish showcases some of the beauty that Maine has to offer along with some top notch acting led by Paul Newman. Mr.Newman gives a brilliant performance as Max Roby, Miles' always ragged,smelly,and sometimes drunk father.Mr. Newman, in my opinion, gives one of the best performances in recent history.Acting along side Mr. Newman was a cast superbly put together,they all portrayed Mainas {that is Mainers for the rest of the country}very well,but I would have to say the best accent has to go to Aidan Quinn, he nailed it perfectly!
The film at just under four hours was slightly long while sitting in our 100+ year old opera house,but shown in its intended two parts {or even all at once} in the comfort of your living room it will envelop you and take you some where near a small place I call home.
I was extremely pleased with the movie/mini series,which ever you choose to call this wonderful piece of work. But as I said before, I am a little bias. I know I am not alone in feeling a bit of ownership over this project, after all we {as in the people of the greater Waterville and Skowhegan areas} did play a huge part in this production. We volunteered for and were hired as crew members,we gathered in crowds and watched scenes being filmed,helped gather props {my wife and the rest of the staff at the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce among others},and some of us were even lucky enough to land bit parts as extras. The production was quite a site to see; just imagine driving to work and seeing Ed Harris, Helen Hunt, or even Paul Newman working on a small street corner in your home town!
This masterfully written book by Richard Russo was transformed into an equally impressive film. This film tells the story of Empire Falls,which could be any number of small towns in central Maine located on one of our many rivers. The story focuses mainly on Miles Roby {Harris} who runs the Empire Grill,and tells the story of his life and his town.The film also tells the stories of multiple other characters in this once thriving mill town,now a bit down on its luck due to the closing of its main source of employment, the mills.Talk about art imitating life, this is the story of central Maine only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. Mr. Russo and the rest of the production crew have done a wonderful job telling a great story,there are many flashbacks to Miles Roby's childhood but they flow in the film like the currents of the Knox {Kennebec} river.
The film from start to finish showcases some of the beauty that Maine has to offer along with some top notch acting led by Paul Newman. Mr.Newman gives a brilliant performance as Max Roby, Miles' always ragged,smelly,and sometimes drunk father.Mr. Newman, in my opinion, gives one of the best performances in recent history.Acting along side Mr. Newman was a cast superbly put together,they all portrayed Mainas {that is Mainers for the rest of the country}very well,but I would have to say the best accent has to go to Aidan Quinn, he nailed it perfectly!
The film at just under four hours was slightly long while sitting in our 100+ year old opera house,but shown in its intended two parts {or even all at once} in the comfort of your living room it will envelop you and take you some where near a small place I call home.