Movie Review: The Angels' Share

The Angels' Share 

Starring: Paul Brannigan, John Henshaw, Gary Maitland, Jasmin Riggins, William Ruane, Roger Allam, David Goodall, Siobhan Reilly, Roderick Cowie, Scott Kyle, Alison McGinnes 

Director: Ken Loach 

Sixteen Films, Why Not Productions, Wild Bunch, Scotland, France, Belgium, Italy, 2012. 

In the beginning of the movie group of persons get community payback for various crimes. Robbie (Paul Brannigan) gets a sentence for assault and battery. He gets a low punishment because of his pregnant girlfriend Leonie (Siobhan Reilly). Albert (Gary Maitland) gets his sentence for goofing on the railroad tracks while drunk. Albert is not the sharpest pen in the drawer. Mo (Jasmin Riggins) is a shoplifter and Rhino (William Ruane) has done some stupid things while drunk. 

Albert nearly broke his bottle

Albert in court

Robbie in court

Their instructor Harry (John Henshaw) gives Robbie a lift when Leonie starts to labour. In the hospital Robbie is beaten up by Leonie's uncles. Because Robbie has no home, Harry takes him to his house. Harry and Robbie celebrate the birth of Robbie's son with 32 years old whisky. Robbie agrees to meet Anthony (Roderick Cowie), the boy Robbie assaulted. In a powerful scene Robbie meets Anthony, who nearly died because of Robbie, and his family. Leonie says that she doesn't want their son Luke to get involved in violent life. 

Robbie gets beaten up by Leonie's uncles

Robbie and Leonie have a baby

Robbie meets his victim

Harry takes the community payback team to visit a distillery. The tour guide tells about the whisky making process. They learn about a very old barrel of whisky, worth 100000£ per bottle. Also every year 2% of the alcohol is vaporized, being called the Angels' share. The barrel is going to be sold in an auction.

Harry teaches Robbie about tasting whisky

The group going to visit the distillery ( Rhino front and Mo back right)

Mo steals some small whisky bottles. The team meets again to taste the different whiskys. Robbie shows natural talent in identifying different flavours. Leonie's father talks to Robbie and suggests him to leave Glasgow and leave his family. Robbie doesn't get job because of his criminal record and scars on his face. The only solution Robbie sees as a way to get a better future is to steal some bottles of the valuable Malt Mill whisky with his friends Mo, Albert and Rhino and sell it to a rich whisky collector. 

Freshly founded Carntyne Malt Whisky Club

Whisky specialist inspecting the barrel

Angels' Share combines social drama and comedy similarly as in Full Monty (with more underclass characters) and Trainspotting (without drugs). There is also excitement with heist, will they make a fortune or end up in jail? The rather unknown Scottish actors pull their street credible roles well. There is also a cameo of whisky expert Charles MacLean as malt whisky tasting event host Rory McAllister. 

Rating: Good