Raining Stones (1993)

100% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
88% of users liked it
(2,135 ratings)

Bob (Bruce Jones) lives with his wife Anne (Julie Brown) and his daughter Coleen (Gemma Phoenix) in a poor English town. Bob scrapes by with whatever odd jobs come his way -- working as a bouncer, stealing green turf, cleaning septic tanks. Although Bob has no money and is living on the dole, he is… More Bob (Bruce Jones) lives with his wife Anne (Julie Brown) and his daughter Coleen (Gemma Phoenix) in a poor English town. Bob scrapes by with whatever odd jobs come his way -- working as a bouncer, stealing green turf, cleaning septic tanks. Although Bob has no money and is living on the dole, he is determined to buy his daughter a dress for her first communion. The local parish priest (Tom Hickey) suggests that Bob settle cheaper and get a second-hand dress for Coleen's communion. But Bob will have none of that. Bob wants a new dress for his daughter, and no matter what it takes he will get a dress for her. Unfortunately, Bob has only murky ideas about how to earn the money to buy it. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Ken Loach
Written By: Jim Allen
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1993 Wide
On DVD: Jun 12, 2007
Studio: Koch Lorber Films

Critic Reviews

Vincent Canby, New York Times
Brisk, richly characterized fiction that cuts as deeply and truly as any documentary.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Without ever mentioning politics, Loach makes the most powerful and effective of political statements -- one that relies on subtlety and the intelligence of the audience.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
Gripping and sadly true to life.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The film is good-hearted and the characters are easy to identify with, but what I liked best was the underlying humor, even in this desperate situation.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Ken Loach: the master.
Louis Proyect, rec.arts.movies.reviews
A Ken Loach masterpiece. Deals with poverty-stricken Irish Catholic's struggle to raise money for his daughter's communion dress.
Dan Lybarger, Lybarger Links
A gripping and occasionally disturbing look at parental sacrifice.
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
With a delightfully unexpected ending and keen characterizations throughout, Raining Stones is an entertaining look at working class life on the edge of desperation.