Orphans (1997)

Director:

Peter Mullan

Writer:

Peter Mullan (writer)

Release Date:

21 April 1999 (France)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Are YOUR parents a burden?

Plot:

Four siblings gathered together for their mother's funeral in Glasgow face individual torments over night during a tumultuous storm that rips the roof off the church.

Plot Keywords:

Funeral | Church | Glasgow Scotland | Brother | Hurricane

Awards:

10 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Douglas Henshall	...	Michael
Gary Lewis	...	Thomas
Rosemarie Stevenson	...	Sheila
Stephen McCole	...	John
Ann Swan	...	Mother of Family
Gilbert Martin	...	Frank
Jan Wilson	...	Sandra (Woman in Bar)
Lenny Mullan	...	Julian (Bar Manager)
Malcolm Shields	...	Duncan
June Brogan	...	Mona
Paul Doonan	...	Lenny (Duncan's brother)
Linda Cuthbert	...	Evelyn (Waitress in Bar)
Lex Keith	...	Himself
Hugh Ferris	...	Himself
Joel Strachan	...	Neil (Lad in Toilet)

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:MA | New Zealand:R18 | Iceland:16 | France:-12 | UK:18

Filming Locations:

Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, UK

Company:

Antoinine Green Bridge

Soundtrack:

You Take the High Road

one of the most unique films ever

orphans is truly one of the best films i have seen in a long time. written and directed by peter mullan (who is already an amazing actor--miss julie, my name is joe), orphans takes us through the lives of four siblings who have to cope with the death of their mother. gary lewis (billy elliot) is the eldest, but most childish, son who cannot let go of mummy; stephen mccole (rushmore) is the juvenile delinquent of the family; rosemarie stevenson is their wheelchair-bound sister; and douglas henshall (twice upon a yesterday) is the adult of the lot who has to keep the family together. we see how each of the siblings deals with her death--whether it's by singing a song in a kareoke bar or getting into a brawl with another person, the siblings act on their emotions and often get into trouble.

the movie was a good mix of comedy (watch for the priceless scene with stephen mccole spying on a neighbour), drama, and action. douglas henshall was amazing, as he has to deal with his siblings as well as his own ex-wife and son while he is coping with mum's death. his character is so real and believeable. there are also many sweet scenes in the film, such as the scene in the beginning where they all remember being comforted by their mum during a storm. this movie kept me interested with its great script and acting, and everyone in it was excellent. stephen mccole especially did a great job--before orphans i knew his as just the mean scottish kid in rushmore. he represented the frustration of youth and also offered a lot of comic relief to the plot too. this is not your typical film, and i think it follows in the tradition of good scottish filmmaking. definitely check out orphans if you are looking for a dark comedy that is well-written with a cast of very talented actors. and it does come with subtitles, if you aren't good with scottish accents.