Empire Falls (TV 2005)

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

Director:

Fred Schepisi

Writers:

Richard Russo (novel), Richard Russo (teleplay)

Stars:

Ed Harris, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Helen Hunt

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 5 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ed Harris	...	Miles Roby
Philip Seymour Hoffman	...	Charlie Mayne
Helen Hunt	...	Janine Roby
Paul Newman	...	Max Roby
Robin Wright	...	Grace Roby (as Robin Wright Penn)
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

Storyline

A drama that swoops in on Empire Falls, an economically depressed mill town in Maine, and lifetime resident Miles Roby, who's run the town's top restaurant for some twenty years. Miles is surrounded by his newly thin wife, meddling father, and hostile boss.

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Plot Keywords:

restaurant | maine | new england | small town | death | 

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Taglines:

Every small town has a big story

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

HBO [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 May 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

A múlt fogságában

Filming Locations:

Augusta, Maine, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Marc Platt Productions, Aspetuck Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

197 min 240 min (2 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jerry Goldsmith agreed to do the score, but died before he was able to finish it.

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

Otto Mayer: Who, after all, arrives at his heart's home at the end of the day? Even this day, who can say that the next will bring joy?... or comfort?... or justice?... or release?... or an end to care? Lives are like rivers... eventually they go where they must... not where we want them to.

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

"Magic Moments"
Written by Burt Bacharach & Hal David
Performed by Dennis Farina
Courtesy of

User Reviews

Great film, great cast

I saw the premiere in NYC, and I work with one of the cast members, so my take on the movie is a bit biased.

I also grew up in Maine, and know several of the locations well. All told, the production captured the sense of community in Maine very well. Look out the window of the Empire Grill for the best music store chain in the country, Bullmoose Music, or the background for other Maine details - Gifford's Icecream, Hannaford's, Route 201, Kennebunkport (and the Bush compound at Walker Point).

The film is excellent, and managed to translate the Richard Russo novel quite well. There was little changed or left out from the book - keep in mind this is a nearly 4 hour mini-series in two parts, 8 chapters. Watch it in two installments, late May, 2005 on HBO.

There is a very interesting dynamic with Paul Newman playing the passionate opposite of real-life wife Joanne Woodward, playing the rational and controlling matriarch. Ed Harris is the center of the production, and turns in a well considered and Mainer-like performance. Danielle Panabaker also performed well, and will turn into a starlet sooner than later. The supporting cast of Helen Hunt, Dennis Farina (hilarious), Kate Burton (wow), Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Wright Penn, Aidan Quinn, and Jeff DeMunn add up to an amazing ensemble.

It would be a 10 of 10 if the ending weren't the easy way out of a complex story, a problem with the book as well as the film.