The Angels’ Share *** (Unrated) After a few gruesome fight scenes in the early going, this Scottish dramedy turns into a delightful caper flick. The lower class characters mostly speak in such thick accents, their English would be hard for anyone outside the UK to follow. Mercifully, we’re provided subtitles on this side of the Atlantic.
Robbie is an undersized tough guy, fresh out of jail. He really wants to go straight, especially since he’s about to become a father. But his girlfriend’s father and some local thugs cling to big grudges with long memories, making it nearly impossible for the kid to avoid more fights ...and prison time. But on a community service gig, he meets a kindly whiskey buff who takes Robbie and the work crew to a tasting. Remember, this is Scotland. It’s a big deal there.
Robbie surprisingly turns out to be a tasting savant, opening a highly unlikely doorway out of his poverty and perils. Other possibilities arise, as well. The result is a charming little adventure with funny, down-to-earth characters and some feel-good perks, deftly balanced by director Ken Loach. Those who’ve enjoyed droll Empire imports like Waking Ned Devine or The Full Monty are prime candidates for this ticket, too. (5/3/13)