Empire Falls (2005)
- Starring:
- Ed Harris, Danielle Panabaker, (more)
- Director(s):
- Fred Schepisi
- Category:
- Television
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This two-part HBO miniseries is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Richard Russo. Having long since sacrificed youthful ideals and values to remain in his New England hometown for the sake of his family, middle-aged Miles Roby (Ed Harris) finds his "secure" little world disintegrating when his wife, Janine (Helen Hunt), divorces him. Equally vexing is the emotional and financial pressure exerted by domineering town matriarch Francine Whiting (Joanne Woodward), who owns (among other things) the Empire Grill, the little diner that Ed has run for several years. As he reflects on what he considers to be a wasted life, Ed flashes back to memories of his curmudgeonly father, Max (Paul Newman, who also executive-produced the miniseries); his long-dead mother, Grace (Robin Wright Penn); his scapegrace brother, David (Aidan Quinn); his blossoming daughter "Tick" (Danielle Panabaker); and Francine's late husband, C.B. Whiting (Philip Seymour Hoffman). Also tied in with Miles' reminiscences is the spectacular saga of the rise and fall of Empire Falls, a once-prosperous mill town that has fallen into disrepair -- as have the town's once-rigid and inviolate social barriers. Despite the initial bleakness of Miles' plight, and the revelation of innumerable family skeletons as the plot progresses, the story is ultimately both heartwarming and life-affirming. Filmed on location in Maine, Empire Falls originally aired on May 28 and 29, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 195 mins
Complete Cast:
- Ed Harris - Miles Roby
- Joanne Woodward - Francine Whiting
- Helen Hunt - Janine Roby
- Miles Chandler - Young Miles
- Philip Seymour Hoffman - Charlie Mayne
- Doree A. Austin - Mrs. Rodrigues
- Claire Winters - Young Cindy
- Linda Saulter - Secretary
- William Fichtner - Jimmy Minty
- Scott Riccio - DMV Patron
- Stephen E. Hodgdon - Strong Bagger #1
- Theresa Russell - Charlene
- Lou Taylor Pucci - John Voss
- Carey Lowell - Francine at 40 Years
- Michael Brockman - Justice of the Peace
- Kaile R. Jr. Warren - Workman
- Stephen Mendillo - Bill Daws
- Emily Wachtel - Florida Bartender
- Matt Blumm - Miles at 20 Years
- Trevor Morgan - Zack Minty
- Harold Withee - Waiter
- Troy Faucher - Young Policeman
- Wilma Keem - Housekeeper
- Robin Wright Penn - Grace Roby
- Birdie Katz - Frowzy Woman
- Danielle Panabaker - Tick Roby
- Paul Newman - Max Roby
- Aidan Quinn - David Roby
- Kate Burton - Cindy Whiting
- Estelle Parsons - Bea
- Tina Konstantoulaki - Maud
- Adam Le Fevre - Father Mark
- David Altshuler - Building Inspector
- Adam L. Sirois - Secretary
- David Montgomery - Fisherman
- Jeffrey DeMunn - Horace
- Timothy J. Ryan - Brian
- Larry Pine - Otto Mayer
- Bryant R. Garrett - Thank You Patron
- Delia Robertson - Candace
- Bradley J. Van Dussen - Man on Beach
- Gail R. Pelotte - DMV Clerkette
- James K. Small - Strong Bagger #2
- Tony Takacs - Justin
- Dennis Farina - Walt Comeau
- Dan Pleva - Slick Man
- June Marie Krumholz - DMV Clerk
- Matthew Dixon - Banker
- Kortney Adams - Nurse
- Nesbitt Blaisdell - Father Tom
- Director(s):
- Fred Schepisi
- Writer(s):
- Richard Russo
- Producer(s):
- William Teitler
- Categories:
- Television
- Closed Captioning:
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- Subtitles:
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- 2005 - Empire Falls - Golden Globe - Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television
- 2005 - Empire Falls - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television
- 2005 - Empire Falls - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television
