SPOILERS THROUGHOUT:
It was a pleasure to watch this HBO miniseries, Empire Falls featuring the best cast I've seen in years. I have not read the book, which I hear is a masterpiece but I plan to. As for the movie, Empire Falls, it is a beautifully done mini series that weaves a spell and grows on you as you watch. I'm very happy to have seen this.
The rich tapestry of characters in Empire Falls were plentiful and all the performers were perfectly cast. I hope, very much, that Ed Harris receives an Emmy for his portrait of Miles Roby. Mr. Harris brought to Miles, a sensitivity and complete humanness that another actor might not have been able to do and it is impossible for me to imagine anyone else in the part. Ed Harris' portrayal of Miles, as a complex man, loving father, haunted son and completely decent human being , was utterly flawless.
The whole cast, however were excellent and with a movie like this, where the emphasis is on dialog and character development they would have to be great, for the movie to be, even a modest success. I found Empire Falls to be a stirring and gently moving gem of a picture and it's multiple stories and characters do not leave one easily. These days, work such as this is so rare to find and very refreshing when one does find it.
I will admit the movie is not perfect. If there was one thing I could have changed it would be the to quick way it ended. I will agree with other posters that more was needed to fill in the blanks. I was left with a feeling of incompleteness and it also did seem, through the whole movie I was waiting for a confrontation that never came. But the ending was glossed over much to Quickly and the way the X went over Mrs. Whiting, as the narrator told us what happened to her-it kind of interfered with the reality of the story.
As for the narrator however-I will say I loved the way it was narrated and was very impressed with, as well as glad to see, a favorite actor of mine Mr. Larry Pine!! He played the kindly principle as well as narrating and I had no idea he was to be featured in Empire Falls so that was an unexpected bonus! His voice was perfect for the narration and was just another example of great casting. Teresa Russell-another favorite-great to see! Aiden Quinn-one of the most talented actors working today- excellent but underused-Newman, Woodward, Wright Penn, Hunt, EVERYONE-great. I wish the character of Charlie had been featured for more then maybe five minutes(to many talented people who needed more screen time). Perhaps Empire Falls should have been longer(or maybe needs a sequel.)
Also wonderful to see, was the depiction of small town life in Maine. I have never lived in Maine but have visited frequently and it's beauty has to be seen to be believed. I remember once picking up a bumper sticker that talked about Maine being "what life should be." Well, to sum up The miniseries Empire Falls, it's what movies should be. More of them anyway. Good Job HBO and a wonderful miniseries.
It was a pleasure to watch this HBO miniseries, Empire Falls featuring the best cast I've seen in years. I have not read the book, which I hear is a masterpiece but I plan to. As for the movie, Empire Falls, it is a beautifully done mini series that weaves a spell and grows on you as you watch. I'm very happy to have seen this.
The rich tapestry of characters in Empire Falls were plentiful and all the performers were perfectly cast. I hope, very much, that Ed Harris receives an Emmy for his portrait of Miles Roby. Mr. Harris brought to Miles, a sensitivity and complete humanness that another actor might not have been able to do and it is impossible for me to imagine anyone else in the part. Ed Harris' portrayal of Miles, as a complex man, loving father, haunted son and completely decent human being , was utterly flawless.
The whole cast, however were excellent and with a movie like this, where the emphasis is on dialog and character development they would have to be great, for the movie to be, even a modest success. I found Empire Falls to be a stirring and gently moving gem of a picture and it's multiple stories and characters do not leave one easily. These days, work such as this is so rare to find and very refreshing when one does find it.
I will admit the movie is not perfect. If there was one thing I could have changed it would be the to quick way it ended. I will agree with other posters that more was needed to fill in the blanks. I was left with a feeling of incompleteness and it also did seem, through the whole movie I was waiting for a confrontation that never came. But the ending was glossed over much to Quickly and the way the X went over Mrs. Whiting, as the narrator told us what happened to her-it kind of interfered with the reality of the story.
As for the narrator however-I will say I loved the way it was narrated and was very impressed with, as well as glad to see, a favorite actor of mine Mr. Larry Pine!! He played the kindly principle as well as narrating and I had no idea he was to be featured in Empire Falls so that was an unexpected bonus! His voice was perfect for the narration and was just another example of great casting. Teresa Russell-another favorite-great to see! Aiden Quinn-one of the most talented actors working today- excellent but underused-Newman, Woodward, Wright Penn, Hunt, EVERYONE-great. I wish the character of Charlie had been featured for more then maybe five minutes(to many talented people who needed more screen time). Perhaps Empire Falls should have been longer(or maybe needs a sequel.)
Also wonderful to see, was the depiction of small town life in Maine. I have never lived in Maine but have visited frequently and it's beauty has to be seen to be believed. I remember once picking up a bumper sticker that talked about Maine being "what life should be." Well, to sum up The miniseries Empire Falls, it's what movies should be. More of them anyway. Good Job HBO and a wonderful miniseries.