The Stone Angel

VIVENDI
Street: Oct. 21
Prebook: now
> Solid romantic drama with two Oscar-bait Ellens: Burstyn and Page.

Based on the best-selling 1964 novel by Margaret Laurence, this handsomely mounted romantic drama moves back and forth through the life of Hagar Shipley (Ellen Burstyn), as a fragile but feisty senior citizen running away from her overburdened son (Dylan Baker) and as a young woman (Christine Horne) who defies her father to marry a rough-hewn rancher (played young and old by father/son actors Wings Hauser and Cole Hauser, respectively). The drama comes full circle when Hagar’s youngest son (heartthrob Kevin Zegers) runs off with the rebellious Arlene (Ellen Page), igniting a tragic turn of events that has ramifications for years. There’s some top-line acting and vivid emotions to be found throughout.

Shelf Talk: Vivendi is airing advertising on the We TV channel, and the company’s Netreach team is running an online marketing campaign. Co-star Page has developed quite a following since her Oscar-nominated turn in last year’s Juno, and she’s featured prominently on the box art. Push her, Burstyn and the film’s dramatic romantic stylings, which are reminiscent of 2004’s The Notebook.