We're No Angels

A 1989 American comedy-drama directed by Neil Jordan, serving as a remake of the 1955 film of the same name. The screenplay was written by David Mamet. The film stars Robert De Niro as Ned and Sean Penn as Jim, two convicts who become inadvertently involved in the escape of a dangerous criminal, Bobby (James Russo), from a prison near the U.S.-Canada border in 1935, during the Great Depression. After the escape, Ned and Jim find themselves in a small upstate New York town, where they are mistakenly identified as priests expected at the local monastery. To avoid capture, they decide to continue posing as clergymen. The monastery's head, Father Levesque (Hoyt Axton), entrusts them with various duties. During their stay, Ned and Jim encounter Molly (Demi Moore), a local laundress and prostitute raising her mute daughter. Ned develops a bond with Molly and her child. When the monastery organizes a procession to its sister church across the border, Ned and Jim see an opportunity to escape to Canada. However, complications arise when Bobby, their former accomplice, is also in the vicinity, pursued by authorities. In a climactic moment, Bobby is killed by the police during the procession. Ned rescues Molly's daughter from drowning, after which the girl begins to speak. Ultimately, Jim decides to remain at the monastery and genuinely become a priest, while Ned departs for Canada with Molly and her daughter. The film received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $10.5 million against a budget of $20 million.