Search - The Stone Angel on DVD

Sharon F. (Shar) from AVON PARK, FL
Reviewed on 1/12/2022...

Great movie about growing old and remembering the past. Ellen Burstyn is fabulous in this.

4 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.

Burstyn leads the first ML book to film in 20 years

Steve Kuehl | Ben Lomond, CA | 10/16/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have not read any of the CanLit that Margaret Laurence wrote - but after seeing this film it makes me want to make the time. I felt this was an impressive film that does not deserve the multitudes of slander and dislike for it that I read about so much.

Burstyn leads a great cast with the likes of Ellen Page, Cole Hauser, Kevin Zegers, Dylan Baker and out of nowhere - Christine Horne. The filming locations in Canada were beautiful, and the period recreations appeared very thorough (vehicles, homes, businesses, etc.).

The story of a woman's life from childhood to passing is flashed back and forth as we discover how the decisions in her life make her fate. You cannot help but think of Notebook in a variety of ways, but this story has so much more in realism and pessimism. The editing is done flawlessly to transport us between time periods, and the lady director (Skogland) helps add some nice feminine touches at the right moments.

Kari Skogland has another fan now after I watched the DVD docus and was VERY happy with how she had them made. The "behind the scenes" is not narrated and splices together random footage of actually making the film. The cast interviews were kept separate - something I wish more filmmakers would do.

I could not give it the higher rating because there was so much being left out or not elaborated on that I am sure had to be in the book. There were at least three story lines and two different sequences that begged for more but were cut short or not explained. I understand the gripes about the cover art, Ellen page has two pics (as she is very popular) front and back, but she is only in the film for a few minutes. The story was written before cell phones and other modernizations shown, but I think the purists need to take a rest on that one. Some nice surprises though; Wings Hauser plays his son's role as the old character, Dylan Baker's performance was very believable but will get overlooked, and the overall authentic/real feel to this (not everyone's love story from the old days ends up perfect in the end) gives this a nudge over Notebook.

Recommend as a buy or a rent."

Margaret Laurence Lives!!

Lisa Rose | Santa Cruz, CA United States | 12/22/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Though I'm a Californian, I've had a passion for Canadian writers for most of my life; especially Margaret Laurence and Alice Munro. I read The Stone Angel at least 30 years ago, and its disturbing themes stayed with me. I'm unsure how close the movie is to the book, but I wasn't disappointed. The cinematography was beautiful, the acting excellent, the disturbing themes were portrayed with a clear eye. Seeing any of the works of Laurence and Munro brought effectively to the screen is a joy."

High Hopes--Highly Disappointed

Jolynn E. Winland | West Virginia | 04/28/2010

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I absolutely loved this book. It's one of 3 that I own that I can open to a random page and start reading. The story draws you in and you don't want it to end.
The movie--not so much. The characters on the screen were totally unrecognizable, both in description and personality. The time period was wrong. The storylines were incomplete, and if you hadn't read the book you wouldn't know why some of the things happened as they did. Important details were left out; things that didn't even happen in the book were put in.
The story is wonderful; I strongly suggest reading the book. I really wish that whoever made this into a movie would have left it alone and allowed someone who wanted to take the time to do the story justice to make it instead.
The acting, however, was very good. Ellen Burstyn never disappoints, and the appearance of Wings Hauser was a pleasant surprise. And yes, the scenery in the movie was beautiful.
I would love to have seen this cast in this movie with a better script.
Please-don't waste your money on the movie. The Movie Channel on cable runs it every now and then--wait and catch it on that. Better yet; buy the book."