A Rumor of Angels

Don't know where all the good ratings came from. If you're really in to stupid sappy stuff with no real plot this is for you

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.

This movie is an interesting twist on the old curmudgeon & the boy who melts her heart theme. The acting of Vanessa Redgrave and Trevor Morgan is outstanding & perfectly in tune with the plot, which could be not believable, if they weren't so perfectly matched. The plot stretches the imagination, but in a good way, which is what makes this such an enjoyable film.

After watching the sacharine and inept attempts to cover anything of this nature on film - what a joy to find this intelligent and moving account dealing with a young man dealing with the loss of his mother and an older woman who has lost her son - but has found a way of communication with the dead. Vanessa Redgrave is riviting as the woman who takes the time and great effort to comfort and teach this young man. Mr. O'Fallon is to be congratulated on his fine and detailed direction - the cinematographer provided beautiful pictures, the score is marvelous and includes some great Mozart, the cast is extraordinary - each of them giving heartfelt and honest portrayels of these very human and loving people in a painful situation. This is a sweet, gentle yet very real story - beautifully told and realized. Please - if it is not in your local moviehouse - rent it! You will not be dissappointed.

What else can be said about Vanessa Redgrave that hasn't been said yet?I think I have the answer for that difficult question. She makes me feel that she's acting specially for me. She makes me remember all I was taught by my parents and the world itself, that one should always be true to himself and never make any concessions to whatever might come between him and his or her beliefs.Nevertheless, this time she outdid herself and managed to have Trevor Morgan contribute with his huge talent to her brilliant performance , thus delighting us all. Bravo once again Vanessa! Bravo ,endearing child Travor who one day shall be sitting alongside all the "sacred monsters" of the film industry. Last but not least,I honestly hope that Peter O'Fallon continues selecting scripts that will hold audiences in suspense for a long long time.

I highly recommend this film to anyone who ever forgets to live with passion, and also for those who question the finality of death. It refreshes the spirit and reminds us to communicate, appreciate, and validate the ones we love...before it's too late.

Spoilers herein. Viewers, beware of movies that depend on sentiment alone. It is a sort of * and has the effect of covering a hollowness of content or engagement. This film will push buttons, but you'll feel dirty coming out of it. There are a couple good actresses here. Too bad they were just asked to idle their engines. Anyone who has seen Redgrave really cook will appreciate that the director here has a TeeVee mentality. Insights are translated into ideas and then into spoken words then letters, coded, light, code again and letters again and words spoken by a boy that result in insights. That's ten levels of abstraction around the wheel of folding. Intelligent films that attempt this will add value at each step, watchable films only a few. Besides letting us know about the steps, this film adds value at no point. Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.

This is one I will buy for our library, it is so touching and involves all your emotions. Redgrave is spectacular and so are the other major characters. You will never look at a lighthouse in the same way again.

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.

I give 'A Rumour of Angels' a 9 out of 10. Redgrave was wonderful in this role. I have recently lost my mother and found this movie to be heart warming and comforting. I work in the spiritual field as well and it is quite informative and true to life. It really does make you remember the little things that elusive 'I love you' is far more important than most people realize.... It also reminds us of an age old fact of life you cannot judge a book by it's cover. James family wanted to dislike Redgrave's character simply because they didn't understand what she was teaching James. I would recommend this movie to anyone believing in angels and afterlife and as comfort to those who are grieving. Thumbs up from ME!! lisaanddave