A Rumor of Angels

In a small town on the Maine coast, 12-year-old Nathan (Trevor Morgan, The Patriot) is still coming to terms with his mother's death in a car accident two years previous when he forges an unlikely friendship with dotty ol' Maddy (Vanessa Redgrave). Outwardly a curmudgeon, but really just a softie who has also lost someone dear (her son in the Vietnam War), Maddy helps the boy cope, showing him that communication with the spirit world is possible, if one knows the language. Ray Liotta co-stars as the kid's mostly absent, remarried (to Catherine McCormack) father, who has apparently dealt with his grief. Unfortunately, even the luminous Redgrave can't save this clumsy exercise in “angelic” romanticism. Not recommended. (T. Rich)