Raining Stones (1993)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Ken Loach

Writer:

Jim Allen (writer)

Release Date:

6 October 1993 (France)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy

Plot:

This Ken Loach film tells the story of a man devoted to his family and his religion. Proud, though poor...

Plot Keywords:

Tragicomedy | Social Realism | Money | Independent Film

Awards:

6 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Bruce Jones	...	Bob
Julie Brown	...	Anne
Gemma Phoenix	...	Coleen
Ricky Tomlinson	...	Tommy
Tom Hickey	...	Father Barry
Mike Fallon	...	Jimmy
Ronnie Ravey	...	Butcher
Lee Brennan	...	Irishman
Karen Henthorn	...	Young Mother
Christine Abbott	...	May
Geraldine Ward	...	Tracey
William Ash	...	Joe
Matthew Clucas	...	Sean
Anna Jaskolka	...	Shop Assistant
Jonathan James	...	Tansey

Also Known As:

Chuva de Pedras (Portugal) [pt]
Como caídos del cielo (Argentina) [es]
Közápor (Hungary) [hu]
Lloviendo piedras (Spain) [es]
Piovono pietre (Italy) [it]
Plouen pedres (Spain: Catalan title) [ca]
Une pluie de pierres (Canada: French title) [fr]
Vrohi apo petres (Greece) (festival title) [el]

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:L | USA:Not Rated | Argentina:13 | South Korea:12 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Middleton, Greater Manchester, England, UK

Company:

Channel Four Films

Soundtrack:

Lock-Up

Hyper-realistic masterpiece

I watched this on Channel 4 late one night a few years ago. I had had a bad day at work, and was dog-tired. On the verge of turning off the TV, I caught the beginning, and I was immediately hooked.

Ken Loach provides a hyper-realistic portrayal of life on the edge in the 1990`s. Bruce Jones (later to play the feckless Les Battersby on Coronation Street) displays a remarkable tenderness as the struggling father who desperately tries to obtain enough money to buy his daughter a communion dress. He, and Ken Loach,indicate that this poor man represents the best of the working class, only forced to crime,in order to feed and clothe his family.He is a true hero.

The grim setting and subject matter (a disintegrating council estate, and dingy pubs) are not allowed to swamp the deeply human nature of the tale, and there are a number of moments (especially provided by Ricky Tomlinson), where the mood is lightened, allowing gritty humour to emerge. The opening, where the two heroes are unsuccessfully trying to steal a sheep is hysterical.

I wouldn`t call myself a great Ken Loach fan, but this is his masterpiece. I would call it one on the best British films of all time.