Aidan Quinn, Danielle Panabaker, Dennis Farina

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72% liked it

915 ratings

PG-13, 4 hrs.

Directed by: Fred Schepisi

Release Date: May 28, 2005

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DVD Release Date: September 13, 2005

Stats: 168 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (168)


  • January 21, 2008
    I always felt kind of drawned and fascinated by the world of small American towns. Unknown or forgotten places where supposedly nothing happens and everyone knows everyone. I always loved films that focus on any one of those towns and show how complex and interesting those people...( read more) can be and how everyone has a story to tell... Empire Falls does that flawlessly. First of all, the credit for the wonderful plot has to be given to the auteur of the book, Richard Russo. I didn't know it but I will risk myself saying that this adaptation is close to perfection. The cast also couldn't possibly be better. It's simply the best that America has, from different generations, all brought together. Ed Harris, in the leading role, a very strong and complex character brilliantly played. The rest of the cast is top class as well. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Wright Penn, Dennis Farina, Helen Hunt (even though her character annoyed me like hell) and Danielle Panabaker all have solid performances, nevertheless short. As for Mr. Paul Newman, that's just what he is, a Mister! His carachter is just that typical grandpa, that you just can't not love! Anyway, I loved this, that's pretty much it...
  • October 1, 2007
    A small town movie that was little slow in some parts for me. The all-star cast is what made this movie watchable.
  • February 27, 2009
    A little too dramatic but okay.
  • September 16, 2009
    I just cannot pinpoint why I liked this miniseries so darned much. The plot is fantastic, the characters engrossing, the humor dry and the cast is perfect.
  • January 23, 2009
    boring will this movie never end
  • October 1, 2008
    good storyline and how the characters intertwine together in a small town
  • June 20, 2008
    i am dying to see this
  • May 23, 2008
    good one! dramatic, real, just interesting
  • March 22, 2008
    An ok movie at the time...
  • March 10, 2008
    You'd be hard-pressed to ruin a story that has such an unbelievable cast, and thankfully, it didn't happen here. A powerful but quiet drama about family and obligation. Ed Harris, who's tended to play pretty intense characters of late in films like "Gone Baby Gone" and "A Histo...( read more)ry of Violence" is superb as the quiet, stoic main character of the piece. Aidan Quinn, who tends to play reserved yet passionate characters, is great as Harris's more rebellious brother. Adam LeFevre has slowly creeped onto my radar in strong bit parts, from his early days of "Return of the Secaucus 7" to smaller roles in "The Ref" and "Only You", and he's great in another small role here as a kindly priest. William Fichtner, always enjoyable. Estelle Parsons, excellent. Helen Hunt, Dennis Farina, etc, etc. All great. And of course Paul Newman, what more needs to be said? And Josh Lucas has a very tiny role, but he's spot-on as the younger Newman, great casting. In short, it's great! Highly recommended.

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