英文文學與文化教學資料庫

電影首頁 / 電影導演 / Alan Parker / 作品

Angela`s Ashes

電影導演 / Alan Parker

Director:
Alan Parker

Screenplay
Laura Jones
Alan Parker
Based on the book by Frank McCourt

Place / Time of Film
Brooklyn, NYC, USA-1930s
Moville, County Donegal(Northern Ireland)
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Limerick, Republic of Ireland
Brooklyn, NYC, USA-1940s

Characters of the McCourts
Malachy McCourt: Frank`s father
Angela McCourt : Frank`s mother. Formerly Angela Sheehan
Frank McCourt : the eldest child of Malachy and Angela McCourt, the narrator of the story
Malachy McCourt: Frank`s brother,one year younger than Frank
Margaret McCourt:Frank`s sister, died in infancy in Brooklyn.
Michael McCourt :Frank`s borother, six years younger than Frank
Eugene McCourt: Frank`s younger brother, Oliver`s twin, died of pneumonia at age two
Oliver McCourt :Frank`s youngest brother and Eugene`s twin,died of pneumonia at age two.
Alphie McCourt: the youngest of Frank`s brothers; he is nine years old when Frank leaves for America.

Synopsis:
This movie is based on Frank McCourt`s Memoir of his childhood in Limerick, Ireland.
A way from the depression of New York and the American Dream, Frank and his family went back to the 1930s` Ireland. Angela`s Ashes ,the miserable remembrance of the McCourts, begun from the decadence of Brooklyn to the rainy, gloomy, and filthy slum in Limerick. This film mainly depicted the development of Frank in Ireland as well as the booming changes in Irish Catholic society.

Questions for Discussion:
1. This film is essentially about a child`s view of his Irish childhood and family. Try to talk about the relationships between Father and Son /Mother-Son in this film.
2. The issue of family is also an important part in this movie: try to compare Malachy (Frank`s Father) and Angela`s (Mother) background and their family.
3. Talk about the influence / importance of religion in the everyday life depicted in Angela`s Ashes. (such as marriage, family life, education)
4. Discuss the issue of `American Dream` in this film and try to compare other Irish immigrant films (such as "Far Away" or "In America")