Synopsis

Raining Stones, in its quietly observant, almost documentary-like style, is typical of director Ken Loach’s understated approach to his left-leaning politics.

Bob, a man in an impoverished town in the north of England, struggles to survive on the dole while hustling for any odd jobs he can find, or otherwise pushing the envelope with edgy, foolhardy gigs, such as stealing sheep with his friend Tommy with the hope of reselling them—and when that plan fails, repackaging them as mutton for door-to-door sales. While he’s looking the other way, his van is stolen, an event typical of Bob’s chronic bad luck.



When his wife Anne reminds him of the forthcoming first communion of their daughter, Bob insists that she will have a new dress, although the parish priest, Father Barry advises him that a secondhand dress would be a wiser choice. Bob’s quest to raise the money for the dress has surprising repercussions. --Mubi

Cast: Bruce Jones, Julie Brown, Ricky Tomlinson, Tom Hickey, Mike Fallon ED Jonathan Morris

Cannes (In Competition): Jury Prize