Empire Falls
Tags: plot twist, revenge, murder, romantic, flashback

Plot synopsis:
Set in the decaying, nearly bankrupt, small town of Empire Falls, Maine, this is the story of the unassuming manager of the Empire Grill, Miles Roby, who has spent his life in the town. The town, and Miles' life to a large degree, is controlled by the Whitings, a rich family that owns the local factories and much property.
Miles is separated and later divorced from Janine, who has become a cocky, selfish person after losing weight and exercising rigorously. This is partly due to encouragement from Walt Comeau, the antagonistic owner of a local fitness center who visits the Empire Grill daily and has moved into Roby's old house.
Roby is protective of his loving teenage daughter, nicknamed "Tick", who loves art. Tick is dealing with Zack Minty, her ex-boyfriend who continues to pursue her, and struggles with her mother's relationship with Walt whom Tick cannot stand. In addition, Tick has a complicated friendship with John Voss, an emotionally disturbed boy at school. The obnoxious jock Zack and his friends constantly bully John.
Other important people in Miles' life include his grubby, ne'er-do-well father, a rascal who can't resist a handout when it comes his way; Miles' reformed, marijuana smoking brother, who is a talented Empire Grill cook; Miles' good-hearted ex-mother-in-law, who owns a bar; the town's wealthiest woman, Francine Whiting, a condescending matron who owns the Empire Grill; Whiting's daughter, who has loved Miles for many years; an attractive waitress; a retiring police chief; and a dimwitted police officer, who is Zack's father and has known Miles since childhood.
Miles is plagued by flashbacks of his family when he was a child; these include memories of a mysterious affair between his mother and a suitor, the details of which might answer some questions Miles has had his entire life.

Review: Richard Russo's 483-page novel offers a multi-faceted story and a fascinating array of characters in a small town in Maine who are burdened by the weight of the past.
The story resonated with American readers, and Russo was awarded the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for fiction.For a film version of Russo's novel, it would be difficult to imagine the assembling of a finer cast for the quirky, eccentric characters of "Empire Falls." The unassuming and selfless Miles Roby is brilliantly performed by Ed Harris.
Other members of this stellar cast include Paul Newman (as Miles' crusty father Max); Joanne Woodward (as the town matriarch Francine Whiting); Danielle Panabaker (as Miles' daughter); Helen Hunt (as Miles' ex-wife Janine); Aidan Quinn (as Miles' brother David); Theresa Russell (as Miles' co-worker and confidante at the grill); Estelle Parsons (as Miles' mother-in-law); and Kate Burton (as Cindy Whiting and lifelong admirer of Miles).
Schepisi's transitional moments between past and present were brilliantly conceived in the film.Russo's novel is a uniquely American saga, recalling such great works of naturalism as Theodore Dreiser's "An American Tragedy." The story has great scope and deals with such themes as family dysfunction, small-town gossip, commerce and industry, political infighting, and, above all, family secrets.
This HBO film adaptation of "Empire Falls" has been three years in the making, and the result is truly a labor of love..
I can't believe that at 80 years old he can still steal the show but he does.David and Charlene were not used enough but like I said I didn't want the story to end or to leave the town.
Thank you Paul Newman for bringing to my attention.Watch the movie, read the book.
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.
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.
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.
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..
Richard Russo's brilliant novel gets a full movie treatment from HBO Films under the direction of Fred Schepisi.
This multi layered saga of people in a small and forgotten town in Maine follows Mr. Russo's novel and makes its people come alive, as portrayed by some of America's best actors working as an ensemble under Mr. Schepisi's unobtrusive direction.Empire Falls serves as a metaphor for all that has happened in most New England towns when industry abandoned them and unscrupulous liquidators came to pick at the bones of whatever was left behind in order to make an easy buck.At the center of the story we find Miles Roby, a decent man who has to deal with the present day realities and try to keep his family together.
Helen Hunt, on the other hand, seems to be miscast in the role of Janine; her fake accent doesn't seem to help her.Paul Newman, as the eccentric patriarch of the Roby family, loses himself in his role and we forget we are watching anyone by that crazy Max Roby.
Robin Wright Penn is seen briefly also as Grace, Miles mother who is a key figure in the story.The rest of the cast is excellent.The best thing that can come out of this adaptation is that people will flock to read Richard Russo's novels because he is an important voice in American literature..
Although everyone should read the book - it will pull you in and you'll know the real Maine and the people who live there - this film is the next best thing.
(The talent quotient is unbelievably high!) As amazing as this production is on just about every level (except for the music, which is irredeemably cheesy but fortunately mostly unobtrusive) credit must be given first and foremost to Richard Russo for writing characters so real and so complex and nuanced, and dialogue that is realistically elliptical that the real pull of the movie is not waiting to see what happens, but in getting to know the characters better.
I hope some Hollywood producers think about the fact that film can be thought-provoking, and not just a series of electronic jolts.Empire Falls was a clear indication that there are still actors and actresses out there, and there are stories to be told without resorting to egregious remakes of old television series.
A cast superb, Ed Harris was brilliant, as was Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Helen Hunt, Estelle Parsons, everyone was outstanding, from the seasoned actors right down to the very young, newcomers.
It seems like there is a business going under every week up here.Paul Newman and Ed Harris are spectacular in the movie (as with everything else they do).
Helen Hunt does a terrible accent - sound more like she's from Brooklyn instead of central Maine.Great picture.
It is a multi character drama that takes place in a small town Empire Falls, Maine.
Both of them make little effort to get inside their characters and use tricks to try to make it work on the surface, but it doesn't, in my opinion, because the material is wrong for them.The material itself, from a Pulitzer Prise winning novel (?!) is sheer soap opera, however well Mr. Russo writes prose, and he does that, from what I've read of it.
Harris is one of the most gifted actors of his generation, and his simple, intense playing shines here, reminding me of classic screen actors like Tracy and Stewart, and leaving the work of Newman and Woodward in the dust.
So, my take is strictly to the point of commenting on the movie version of the story.I enjoyed this film for the scenic locations and amazing cast artfully giving us the complex characters of the story.If you have never been to New England, take it from a recent transplant from Southern California, it is all and more than you imagine or see in the movies.
The scenes with Ed Harris (as Miles Roby) and William Fichtner (playing Jimmy Minty) are masterfully acted to reveal numerous layers in each character's persona.
I had come to know the characters so well, through the deftness of Richard Russo's prose, and had come to like (at least most of) them, that I couldn't bring myself to say goodbye.Such was my reaction to HBO's film version of this great American novel.Others here have praised the production, so I'll only add my brief thoughts: The cast, from the main players to the secondary characters, is uniformly excellent, with one or two exceptions.
As a recent immigrant to Maine myself and not having read the novel, I was keen to see this movie.Well acted and observed, with a wonderful performance by Paul Newman as the absentee patriarch, this film offers astute insight into thwarted aspirations and the dynamics of small-town USA.
The ensemble cast is well balanced and the performances real.An excellent story (clearly as it is based on a Pullitzer prize winning novel) with an entirely unexpected twist (perhaps not fully explored if I have to be a little critical) it was a wonderful way to spend 3.5 hours.Recommended to those who enjoy under-stated but 'real' movies..
Well acted, sterling cast and a great storyline that probably doesn't stray too far from the truth as applied to many small New England towns.I especially liked Ed Harris and Helen Hunt.
He's one of the most underrated actors and did a great job as the town "intellectual" (since he'd been to college)and she played her part as a frustrated wife, ex-wife, bride, divorcée to a T.I would like to have seen a chapter or two more, bringing resolution to certain situations in a more complete way.
Ed Harris was great in the lead role of Miles Roby and does his best to save Empire Falls, or at least carry it.
So much detail was put into this obvious labor of love, to fall so short at the end leaves both my husband and I sadly dissatisfied.Let me say there are many times my hubby & I do not agree on which movies to watch; much less we truly ENJOY what we choose to watch together, so this was so unusual that we both enjoyed this.
Considering how good the rest of the story was the author could have been more creative.Not having read the book I could not tell if the Paul Newman character was made up excessively dirty looking, as was the young man who was always picked on.
I grew up in a REAL Maine mill town and let me tell you, Empire Falls wasn't it!!.
There are several wonderful performances: Ed Harris brings a sense of quiet dignity and inner strength to the role of Miles, Joanne Woodward puts a lot of nuance into her performance as a manipulative, powerful woman, and Paul Newman is an absolute joy as Miles' charming, ne'er-do-well father.The director seems to have let everyone rise to the particular acting level, with the great actors doing great and some of the others struggling.
Taken from the Novel Empire Falls by Richard Russo, this story is told by narrative present day and flashbacks of the main character Miles Roby and his early days from what he recalls.
In this movie there are several facets of story lines that seem to come out at one main central focus, that being Miles and his encounters with the other characters.
An interesting side note to mention; the actor who plays Miles' dad, Max, is Paul Newman who is also the executive producer of the movie.
("Please, God, where is Meryl Streep or Glenn Close when I need them?") I realize these women are of a different generation from Woodward, but still...I felt his desperation.Final hilarious casting...Helen Hunt as someone 'who used to be fat.' I gave it 3 stars for the Harris and Hoffman performances..
Very nice little film (or mini-series) that boasts some terrific performances from Ed Harris (too old though), Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Kate Burton, William Fichtner, Aidan Quinn, Theresa Russell, Jeffrey DeMunn, Estelle Parsons, Robin Wright, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Dennis Farina.
This makes me want to read the book to see if anything is different or explained more.I felt all the actors did a great job except for Helen Hunt and oddly enough Paul Newman.
Go ahead and watch this film and, if you squint your eyes just right, you can almost see the achingly beautiful story that was the heart of Empire Falls, the book that finally won the brilliant Richard Russo a Pulitzer Prize.
"Empire Falls" is a 4 hour HBO miniseries which delves into the lives of a bunch of folks who live in a small, quaint Maine town where everyone knows everyone else and their business as well.
A where-have-I-seen-this-before story of an apparently functional community with evidence of dysfunction bubbling to the surface at every juncture, "Empire Falls" tells a predictable but pleasantly easy going story which revolves around a passive, underachieving college grad (Harris) who runs a café owned by a wealthy widow (Woodward) who has little interest in anything beyond controlling the townsfolk like so many puppets.
The cast is comprised of some fantastic actors (Ed Harris, Paul Newman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Helen Hunt, etc.).
We are talking Paul Newman, Robin Wright and Helen Hunt in one place, which will never happen again, and even Ed Harris is too good for this production.There is a reason why writers who don't write cinematic novels are normally nor allowed to write adaptations of their own work - they are in love with their own writing and turn a movie into an audio book.That's exactly what happened here.
Paul Newman, even though he doesn't get much screen time delivers the best performance in the film, followed of course by Ed Harris who hasn't done a bad movie yet.Empire Falls kept me going, despite some bits which are almost unwatchable.
Typically elaborately crafted HBO production with a first-rate cast, a rich small-town atmosphere and some nice narrative vignettes, graced by above average production values.But, and that's a huge 'but', the various subplots, peopled with some likable, mostly annoying caricatures, are paper-thin and go and and on in dull stretches for over three long hours.The often silly story veers uneasily between melodrama, without being entertaining enough, and personal drama, without being profound at all.A shame, because some scenes really shine.
When I found out there was going to be a movie made about a town just like mine, (there are about 3 towns in Maine like Empire Falls, mine might be the best example, even though it's not where it was filmed) I looked forward to it for months.
Though living in the town in which it was filmed, for most of my life, I may be a little bias.I was extremely pleased with the movie/mini series,which ever you choose to call this wonderful piece of work.
The production was quite a site to see; just imagine driving to work and seeing Ed Harris, Helen Hunt, or even Paul Newman working on a small street corner in your home town!
This film tells the story of Empire Falls,which could be any number of small towns in central Maine located on one of our many rivers.
Mr. Russo and the rest of the production crew have done a wonderful job telling a great story,there are many flashbacks to Miles Roby's childhood but they flow in the film like the currents of the Knox {Kennebec} river.The film from start to finish showcases some of the beauty that Maine has to offer along with some top notch acting led by Paul Newman.
Mr.Newman gives a brilliant performance as Max Roby, Miles' always ragged,smelly,and sometimes drunk father.Mr. Newman, in my opinion, gives one of the best performances in recent history.Acting along side Mr. Newman was a cast superbly put together,they all portrayed Mainas {that is Mainers for the rest of the country}very well,but I would have to say the best accent has to go to Aidan Quinn, he nailed it perfectly!The film at just under four hours was slightly long while sitting in our 100+ year old opera house,but shown in its intended two parts {or even all at once} in the comfort of your living room it will envelop you and take you some where near a small place I call home..
SPOILERS THROUGHOUT:It was a pleasure to watch this HBO miniseries, Empire Falls featuring the best cast I've seen in years.
I'm very happy to have seen this.The rich tapestry of characters in Empire Falls were plentiful and all the performers were perfectly cast.
Aiden Quinn-one of the most talented actors working today- excellent but underused-Newman, Woodward, Wright Penn, Hunt, EVERYONE-great.
Perhaps Empire Falls should have been longer(or maybe needs a sequel.)Also wonderful to see, was the depiction of small town life in Maine.
This story of the goings-on in a small Maine town does not deliver at the level one would expect given the cast, the high production values, and the Pulitzer Prize source.
Ed Harris turned in a good performance as Miles Roby and I did have the feeling that he was a real character struggling with some deep personal problems.
I won't mention all the other ridiculous things that happen, like the matron dying in the great flood of 2005, trying to save her cat (good performance by the cat.)For picaresque plot telling, this movie gets a "0".
I only gave it a 3 for good performances of Paul Newman, at 80 (claiming believably to be 70 in the movie) and Joanne Woodward playing the wicked witch of the waters.
After seeing both parts of Empire Falls, I can only wonder why more producers and directors don't make comprehensive movies that work as well as this one.
Like many people who see their family crumbling, he wraps himself totally into his unqualified love for his daughter.Strong supporting performances were also turned in by Paul Newman as the alcoholic father and Phillip Hoffman as the mysterious lover, but it was Joanne Woodward who provided the most accurate and realistic portrait, that of a brittle, wealthy widow who controls much of Empire Falls.Some have criticized Helen Hunt for her accent and performance, and I will agree this was not her best role, but I did not leave the film thinking she seriously detracted from it.
(I think the desire for a "name" overwhelmed the need to accurately cast the character.)Empire Falls is not just the story of small-town Maine, but rather the story of small-town America.
Rarely does it --- in reality --- end as hopefully as did the Empire Falls story, but stretches are expected and even encouraged in film-making.When was the last time you applauded a televised movie in the privacy of your home?
"Empire Falls" is a fictional town along the river in Maine.
(Several different Maine locations were used for the filming.) This town was originally settled by Algonquin Indians, but the Whiting family over the generations owned everything worth owning.Ed Harris plays the central character Miles Roby, who runs the local café owned by Francine Whiting (Joanne Woodward).
Ms Woodward's real-life husband and perhaps the best actor of modern times, Paul Newman, plays the grizzled old dad Max Roby.