Empire Falls (2005) (TV)

Director:

Fred Schepisi

Writers (WGA):

Richard Russo (novel)
Richard Russo (teleplay)

Release Date:

28 May 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Every small town has a big story

Plot:

A decaying New England town is the backdrop for its unique citizens, lead by unassuming restaurant manager Miles Roby.

Plot Keywords:

Restaurant | Maine | Small Town | New England | Pool Table

Awards:

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 5 wins & 20 nominations

Cast

Ed Harris	...	Miles Roby
Philip Seymour Hoffman	...	Charlie Mayne
Helen Hunt	...	Janine Roby
Paul Newman	...	Max Roby
Robin Wright Penn	...	Grace Roby
Aidan Quinn	...	David Roby
Joanne Woodward	...	Francine Whiting
Dennis Farina	...	Walt Comeau
William Fichtner	...	Jimmy Minty
Estelle Parsons	...	Bea
Theresa Russell	...	Charlene
Kate Burton	...	Cindy Whiting
Jeffrey DeMunn	...	Horace
Trevor Morgan	...	Zack Minty
Danielle Panabaker	...	Tick Roby

Runtime:

Argentina:197 min | USA:240 min (2 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:14A (Ontario) | Singapore:NC-16 | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-15 | Australia:M | Greece:K-13

Filming Locations:

Augusta, Maine, USA

Company:

HBO Films

Trivia:

The final on-screen acting project for Paul Newman.

Goofs:

Continuity: When 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:

Francine Whiting: What you really hate is the fact that I know you better than you know yourself.
Miles Roby: Well, maybe I'll surprise you one day.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 12th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Knock On Wood

Interesting way to portray the town scapegoat.......

Miles Roby seemed like the town loser or so it first seems but as things progress you realize he's not the loser, it's everyone else around him! Meanwhile he has spent his whole life steering clear of their recklessness. Everyone around him is just a mess and he is trying to stand clear of their small self destructions. The character had this pillar of the community like persona but everyone was just dumping on him....projecting their own faults, miseries and failures onto him. It almost seemed like it was his purpose....or at least in their eyes. They only get away with it because of this huge chip on his shoulder he has trouble seeing around.......

By the end of the movie you figure out what is really going on and that this man is in all likeliness the most stand up guy in town.... and everyone resents him for it.

In the end he really starts to push back but they could have done SOOOOO much more with this character and final resolution.

I really liked this film even though I found it fairly lacking in some ways. They should have explored the scapegoat angle more and had Miles really stick it to everyone in the end but I guess having him handle it with grace was really good too.