The true story of Frank McCourt, a young boy whose family leaves the US hoping for a better life in Ireland. But his mother (Emily Watson) struggles to raise her family in the face of abject poverty and her husband's (Robert Carlyle) alcoholism.

Film Trivia

• Three actors play Frank at different stages of his life. Michael Legge, who plays the eldest Frank, went on to star as Tom O'Leary on the television series Shameless.

If you like Angela's Ashes, try these:

• Revolutionary Road
• Genova
• Fugitive Pieces