The Stone Angel (2007)

Director:

Kari Skogland

Writers:

Margaret Laurence (novel)
Kari Skogland (screenplay)

Release Date:

11 July 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Sometimes it takes your whole life to get it right.

Plot:

Getting old isn't for sissies! The witty, irascible and fiercely proud Hagar Shipley escapes from home...

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Ellen Burstyn	...	Hagar
Christine Horne	...	Young Hagar
Cole Hauser	...	Young Bram
Kevin Zegers	...	John
Ellen Page	...	Arlene
Dylan Baker	...	Marvin
Wings Hauser	...	Older Bram
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Olie Alto	...	Bus Driver
Evelyne Anderson	...	Old Cronie at Charity Dance
Aaron Ashmore	...	Matt
Ted Atherton	...	Reverend Troy
Sharon Bajer	...	Emergency Room Nurse
Devon Bostick	...	Young Marvin
Ardith Boxall	...	Lottie's Mother
Doreen Brownstone	...	Silver Elms Bridge Player
Jessica Burleson	...	Cell phone woman on bus
Hilary Carroll	...	Bank Teller
Sarah Constible	...	Young Lottie
Janet-Laine Green	...	Lottie
Josette Halpert	...	Young Arlene
Alicia Johnston	...	Charlotte
Luke Kirby	...	Leo
Joyce Krenz	...	Auntie Doll
Katherine J. Lane	...	Labour nurse
Peter MacNeill	...	Jason
Arne MacPherson	...	Doctor - Present Day
Judy Marshak	...	Silver Elms Matron
Sheila McCarthy	...	Doris
Ross McMillan	...	Telford
Noah Meade	...	John - Child
Mackenzie Munro	...	Young Charlotte
Wayne Nicklas	...	Mr. Cooper
Landon Norris	...	Young John
Connor Price	...	Young Matt
Christopher Read	...	Currie store clerk
Chris Sigurdson	...	Pastor - Manawaka
R. Morgan Slade	...	Young Telford
Jason Spevack	...	Marvin - Child
Ryland Thiessen	...	Telford - Child
Jordan Todosey	...	Lottie - age 9
Samantha Weinstein	...	Hagar - Child
Nada Yousif	...	Missy

Runtime:

Canada:115 min (Toronto International Film Festival) | Canada:90 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Certification:

Canada:14A

Filming Locations:

Manitoba, Canada

Company:

Buffalo Gal Pictures

Trivia:

During filming, Ellen Burstyn saw on the call sheet a long lost relative who was working on the crew.

Soundtrack:

The Devil is Dead

Powerful - Edgy and Authentic

I had a chance to see a screening of this movie recently. I believe that it will be in theaters in Canada some time around Mother's Day. If it is in a theater near you... GO! It's not a funny feel-good movie - it's more along the lines of a feel and think movie.

The director does an excellent job of character development - letting you into the heart, mind and hurts of Hagar little by little. At first, her attitudes and behaviors don't make much sense. As her story unfolds, she becomes someone you can understand. As in life... understanding brings empathy. I found her likable by the end of the movie - particularly when she opens up her heart to the young man in the shack by the lake.

Hagar's relationship with her two sons is painful - and reflective of so many of our own experiences in this world. Her youngest son, John, who is full of life and adventure takes the viewer to the very edge of their seat - and into the kind of raw emotion that is so authentic and rare.

It's fun to see Ellen Page acting in this movie. She is so very different than the young woman that she plays in Juno. It gives me an even broader appreciation for her acting ability. If you loved her in Juno, you'll love her in The Stone Angel.

Of course, there is Ellen Burnstyn as Hagar. There is likely no way of expressing the power of acting as strongly as the ability for the actor to make you forget every other character they have ever played. Never once in the course of this movie did I ever think of Ellen Burnstyn - I always and only thought of Hagar. She swept me into her character - hook, line and sinker.

Kari Skogland's capacity to capture on film this renowned book by one of Canada's most cherished authors is impressive. She brilliantly brings to the screen both the stoney and angelic parts of this complex woman, Hagar - the stone angel.