The Stone Angel

Adapted by writer-director Kari Skogland from Margaret Laurence's 1964 classic Canadian novel, The Stone Angel stars Ellen Burstyn as an elderly woman reflecting upon the stubborn pride and bad decisions that shaped her life. Unfortunately, there's just too much emotional and chronological material to cover in Laurence's sprawling, multi-generational narrative, and two hours is not enough time to fully absorb the decades of personal and familial turmoil that have shaped the character of Hagar Shipley (Burstyn) into a feisty, slightly embittered old woman who defies the efforts of her son Marvin (Dylan Baker) to place her in a retirement home. Failing health leads Hagar on wistful, regret-laden strolls down memory lane, with flashbacks focusing on the young-adult Hagar (played by appealing newcomer Christine Horne) who defied her father, married a farmer (Cole Hauser), and ultimately persevered through turbulent parenthood, raising two sons who frequently resented their mother's independence. Although Skogland amasses a lot of relevant psychological detail, the film ultimately feels like a rushed abridgement that is so loyal to its source that it fails to muster a cinematic life of its own. Still, The Stone Angel features fine casting (including Juno's Canadian star Ellen Page, who makes a brief appearance) and rich characters, making this a strong optional purchase, overall. (J. Shannon)