Empire Falls is a 2005 American television miniseries directed by Fred Schepisi and written by Richard Russo, based on Russo's 2001 novel of the same name. It aired on HBO in two parts, from May 28 to May 29, 2005.[1][2] The miniseries was nominated for and won multiple awards, including ten Primetime Emmy Awards (winning one) and four Golden Globe Awards (winning two).[3]
Empire Falls | |
---|---|
Genre | Drama |
Based on | Empire Falls by Richard Russo |
Written by | Richard Russo |
Directed by | Fred Schepisi |
Starring | |
Narrated by | Larry Pine |
Music by | Paul Grabowsky |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Producer | William Teitler |
Cinematography | Ian Baker |
Editor | Kate Williams |
Running time | 195 minutes (8 chapters) |
Production companies |
|
Original release | |
Network | HBO |
Release | May 28 May 29, 2005 | –
Miles Roby, the unassuming manager of the Empire Grill, has spent his entire life in the small, decaying, nearly bankrupt town of Empire Falls, Maine.
His ex-wife, Janine, has become a cocky, selfish bachelorette after exercising rigorously and losing weight. This is partly due to encouragement from Walt Comeau, an antagonistic fitness center owner who visits the Empire Grill every day and has moved into Miles' old house.
Miles' loving teenage daughter, Christina ("Tick"), is dealing with Zack Minty, her cruel ex-boyfriend, plus an emotional conflict over her mother's engagement to Walt, whom Tick despises. She 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 Max, his grubby ne'er-do-well father, a rascal who can't resist a handout when it comes his way; David, Miles' reformed marijuana smoking brother, who is a talented Empire Grill cook; Bea, Miles' good-hearted ex-mother-in-law, who owns a bar; the town's wealthiest woman, a condescending matron who owns the Empire Grill; that woman's daughter, who has loved Miles for many years; an attractive waitress; a retiring police chief; and a dimwitted police officer, Jimmy Minty, who is Zack's father and has known Miles since childhood.
Miles is plagued by flashbacks of his family when he was a child, including a mysterious affair between his mother and a suitor, the details of which might answer some questions Miles has had his entire life.