The Angel's Share

Ken Loach has a devoted fan base. The Palme d'Or winning director is famed for his social realist films, presenting a gritty, and often dark, portrayal of problems in Britain's working-class communities. Over the years, he has gathered a large following and a large proportion of this fan base seemed to have descended into the same screening of The Angel's Share that I happened to be in. So what can be said for these Loachaphiles, as we shall call them? Well, they like to read newspapers whilst waiting for the film to begin and constantly complain that the lighting in the auditorium is far too dim for them to see. They don't mind their fair share of gloom and excessive swearing. Oh, and the vast majority probably travelled to the cinema using their free bus pass. Sitting amongst this distinctive demographic and feeling rather too young to be there, I experienced a totally alien feeling when it comes to the usual offering from Ken Loach: optimism.

Written by Loach's long-time collaborator, Paul Laverty, The Angel's Share sees father-to-be Robbie (Paul Brannigan) narrowly avoid prison and vowing to turn over a new leaf for the sake of his unborn son. On beginning his community service punishment, Robbie strikes up a friendship with his supervisor (brilliantly played by John Henshaw) who introduces him to the delights of fine Scottish whisky. Robbie discovers a talent for whisky tasting and comes up with a not totally-legal plan to better his and his friends' lives. There are many parallels to be drawn between this film and Looking For Eric (also a Laverty screenplay). This instantly suggests that this is a much more cheerful affair than your usual Loach offering: 'LoachLite', if you will. That is not to say that the trademark grit of Loach is nowhere to be seen. Early scenes of life in Glasgow estates and extended family rivalry are rather hard-hitting and bleak. A sequence in which Robbie meets the family of a man he brutally attacked during an argument was really moving and Loach certainly drew a fantastic performance from Brannigan throughout the film. With no previous acting experience, Brannigan's taut performance was pitched perfectly and demonstrated a dramatic acting range: from overjoyed father, to violent thug and kind-hearted friend, Brannigan certainly made the film with his performance.

A strong supporting cast (mostly there for comedic effect) were enjoyable to watch as they trekked the Scottish Highlands in search of fine whisky, set to the Proclaimer's '500 Miles'. In any other film, this soundtrack would have seemed too much a parody or pastiche but, to my surprise, it worked. The film's narrative was engaging and moved along at a decent pace but I felt that The Angel's Share is definitely a film of two halves. The first half was most recognisably the work of Loach but once Robbie had hatched his plan to make his fortune and, therefore, his future, the film shifted gear into an all together lighter crime caper. This is not a criticism but I couldn't help feeling that Loach had sweetened somewhat from his earlier films. The Angel's Share still has something to say but time has, perhaps, mellowed Loach in the manner of the finest whisky barrels.

Despite opening this review with a demographic analysis of my fellow audience, this is not a film to which to take your Grandma. An astronomical amount of swearing runs throughout the film but hey, that's realism for you (!). The film's encounter with the BBFC resulted in its receiving a 15 certificate and Loach calling the Board 'hypocrites' over the negotiation of allowing seven c-words, with two 'in an aggressive context'. Maybe Loach hasn't mellowed after all. The Angel's Share is a feel-good film with an inventive narrative and terrific performances from the entire cast. Some have accused Loach of trying to appeal to a mainstream movie-going public and in doing so, dropping the ball in a society which desperately needs Loach to make a cutting and gritty film of our times. Others have attacked the film for what it's not. That, in my mind, isn't the issue. Any Ken Loach film which doesn't leave you wanting to sell all your possessions and become a hermit is worth watching and The Angel's Share might even put a spring in your step. 

Clapperboard Rating: * * * *