A decaying New England town is the backdrop for its unique citizens, led by unassuming restaurant manager Miles Roby.A decaying New England town is the backdrop for its unique citizens, led by unassuming restaurant manager Miles Roby.A decaying New England town is the backdrop for its unique citizens, led by unassuming restaurant manager Miles Roby.
- Won 1 Primetime Emmy
- 10 wins & 35 nominations total
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe final on-screen acting project for Paul Newman.
- GoofsWhen Miles and Tick are sitting at the restaurant bar, the camera cuts from the two of them to a close up. When it returns a Sprite can magically appears in front of Tick.
- Quotes
Tick Roby: [to Miles] This is John Voss. Uncle David said we needed a new busboy.
David Roby: [to Miles] Take a look at Brian. He looks like a walking appetite suppressant!
Brian: [stumbles into back kitchen area] Hey, Miles!
Miles Roby: Brian, come here for a minute.
[looks at Brian's infected face]
Miles Roby: You gotta go home!
Brian: What do you mean? I can't help it! Something bit me. I can still work.
Miles Roby: Yeah, but people got to eat here.
[takes Brian's busboy bin]
Miles Roby: Go home!
- SoundtracksLong Train Runnin'
Written by Tom Johnston
Performed by The Doobie Brothers
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.
by arrangement with Warner Strategic Marketing
Empire Falls serves as a metaphor for all that has happened in most New England towns when industry abandoned them and unscrupulous liquidators came to pick at the bones of whatever was left behind in order to make an easy buck.
At the center of the story we find Miles Roby, a decent man who has to deal with the present day realities and try to keep his family together. As played by Ed Harris, Miles offers the actor one of the best roles he has given us in years. Helen Hunt, on the other hand, seems to be miscast in the role of Janine; her fake accent doesn't seem to help her.
Paul Newman, as the eccentric patriarch of the Roby family, loses himself in his role and we forget we are watching anyone by that crazy Max Roby. Philip Seymour Hoffman makes a great contribution with a small appearance. Robin Wright Penn is seen briefly also as Grace, Miles mother who is a key figure in the story.
The rest of the cast is excellent.
The best thing that can come out of this adaptation is that people will flock to read Richard Russo's novels because he is an important voice in American literature.
Details
- Runtime1 hour 39 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1