A Rumor of Angels

It is rare that I can recall every detail of a movie after seeing it. This one was that rare exception. Vanessa Redgrave's fantastic performance, the beautiful story, and gorgeous music made this movie one that is unforgettable. The movie had every element of the human experience incorporated into it yet was never overly sentimental, slow moving,or not totally believable. I had lost my only son within the last few years and can honestly say that I was very comforted by the message this film carried. This is one movie that I will buy,look at many times and share it with my friends and family.

This looks like a made-for-TV movie, but Vanessa Redgrave and Trevor Morgan lift it at least a notch higher than that.

She is still gorgeous, yet her face has a leathery quality appropriate for her character. She is a magnificent presence on screen, and it was great watching her with Trevor, who must have had to really stretch to match her formidable skills. He does a great job, and I had no difficulty accepting his character on the same level as hers.

Yes, it is a "heart-warming" story, but it addresses death with honesty and some real-world strategies for getting past the grief of losing a loved one. It also has some fantasy strategies, but those don't get in the way of the real ones.

I loved the use of Mozart's music, particularly the "Ave Verum Corpus" choral piece.

Before I saw this movie the first time, I looked for reviews and the only ones I found were not great. But as usual I don't pay heed to critics. I watch it and use my own judgment. I was so glad I watched this one. It has become one of my favorites and it will become one of yours, too, I'm sure. If you have ever lost someone in your life this is a must see. I'm not very religious and have become less since the death of a loved one. But it would be wonderful to believe that there are angels and that when it's my turn that I will eventually see my aunt, who was my best friend, again. This movie is entirely rewarding, genuinely uplifting, and in plain terms made me feel a lot less depressed. Vanessa Redgrave has never been one of my favorites, I remember her from the sixties and she just ticked me off. But her acting in this is a real treat, she looks fantastic for her age, and I would kill for her hair. We could all use a Maddie Bennett in our lives. I actually own two of these, so if one gets damaged I have one to fall back on. So buy or rent this movie if you haven't seen it. Better yet buy it - you're gonna want to watch it more than once!

A Rumor of Angels was screened on October 12, 2000 at the Mill Valley Film Festival. The film primarily explores the touching relationship between an older (but young at heart) woman and an adolescent boy who is conflicted by the loss of his mother. The setting in Nova Scotia is beautifully filmed and each character seemed essential to the plot. I laughed out loud more than once while later, it was impossible to hold back tears.

A Rumor of Angels is a very well made movie! The story is unique, in that a young boy and older woman form a relationship and become best friends which is something you dont see in Hollywood very often! The acting is perfect, I could not find fault in anything the actors did, Trevor Morgan as James turns in the best performance of his career and leaves me in tears on more than one occaision. Vanessa Redgrave as usual is phenomenal, she pulls you deep into a character who on the outside seems hard and bitter but is really full of life and love. Ray Liotta, Catherine McCormack and Ron Livingston put in strong performances as a father still caught uo in his own grief, a stepmom trying to connect with James and an uncle who offers comical relief while still giving good advice. The setting is gorgeous, the direction is perfect. I like this independant movie because unlike all the big huge Hollywood blockbuster it has heart and soul and you can really see that.

10/10