hanrahanpm

I lived in England in the 60's when many of these actors were in their prime. Here they are 50 years later and still working. They're not a bit afraid to act or look their age. What a treat for us and what a treat for young Bill Milner to act with these greats of British film and theatre. Quite a change from "Intermission" for the director John Crowley, but also suitably paced for an older generation. Nice enjoyable film about an old codger and a young boy. Anne Marie Duff had a tiny part (the last scene) in "Notes on a Scandal" and a larger one in a recent Irish film called "Garage." Check it out for understated acting and writing. David Morrissey played one of the leads in the TV series "State of Play" which is now a film with Russell Crowe and Helen Mirren.

Saw this at the Stony Brook Film Festival last night and was amazed to find (a) a nearly full house and (b) the audience got it. As an Irishman who lived in London in the 1960's I am well aware of the characters and their sad, difficult lives. (The years were a bit off as the film claimed they emigrated in 1977 - more like 10 years earlier). I had also seen the play it was based on "The Kings of the Kilburn High Road" a few years back. The play, if I recall correctly, is set entirely in the back room of the bar. The acting is first rate and while most of the dialogue is in Irish, with subtitles, it really works. This was a strange experience, to see a film about Irishmen and needing subtitles to understand everything being said. Not surprisingly, Colm Meaney lends heft to the film and the part of Joe. He always does. Well worth seeing although I wonder who the audience is for such a film? There are thousands of Irishmen still in England who lived lives like these poor unfortunates.

How can anyone in their right minds think this kind of crap is either funny or entertaining? If it was made about any other country except "cute Ireland" there would be a lawsuit to end all lawsuits. Does anyone really think people in Ireland are this thick and uncouth? Why a fine actress like Anna Friel got involved is beyond me. Yes, I'm Irish and I notice other posts from Irish people, who feel the same way. There's a reason for that. We would like our country to be portrayed as a forward thinking financially successful European nation, with a buoyant economy, a well educated and industrious work force. We are not fools, living in mud huts who never shower and spend our nights drinking ourselves into stupors, as films like this portray us. Had to get that off my chest!