The Better Angels
Seen it?2014 | 95 min | Drama, History
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Aimed squarely at fans of survival stories and people who'll be looking things up afterwards. The tension comes from simply getting through the next day. Sits nicely alongside The Miracle Worker or Lincoln. Based on real events, so expect to go down a research rabbit hole afterwards.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Lets scenes breathe, at 1 hr 35 min.
- What might put you off
- Skip it if you need something light and fast tonight.
At an isolated log cabin in the harsh wilderness of Indiana circa 1817, the rhythms of love, tragedy, and the daily hardships of life on the developing frontier shaped one of our nation’s greatest heroes: Abraham Lincoln. Abe is a thoughtful and quiet boy who spends his days at the side of his beloved mother while learning to work the land from his stern father. When illness takes his mother, Abe's new guardian angel comes in the form of his new stepmother, who sees the potential in the boy and pushes for his further education.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
45% on Rotten Tomatoes, 53 on Metacritic
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerWeak
$71K worldwide
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 8K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by A.J. Edwards
- Diane KrugerSarah Lincoln
- Jason ClarkeTom Lincoln
- Brit MarlingNancy Lincoln
- Wes BentleyMr. Crawford
- Braydon DenneyAbraham Lincoln
- Cameron Mitchell WilliamsDennis
- McKenzie BlankenshipSally
- Ryan McFallJohnny
- Madison StiltnerMatilda
- Bruce BayardOncle Samuel