12 reviews
Eamon Manley (Marshall), a 24-year-old Irish Catholic virgin, works in a dating agency, while silently dreaming of melancholy funeral parlour worker Rosemary (Clarke). Following a night of (heavily protected) passion with a good-time gal, the geek discovers that, in these times of male infertility, his sperm could "impregnate a stone".
Now in demand from infertile couples the length and breadth of Ireland, and backed by a test tube-eschewing Catholic Church, he soon makes a packet with colleague Millicent (Gallagher) - until paramilitary headcase 'Mad Dog' Billy Wilson (Nesbitt) decides Catholics are outbreeding Protestants, and forcibly recruits him for a 'numbers war'.
"The Most Fertile Man in Ireland... is Coming!" chortled the teaser posters, belying a severe case of coitus interruptus. Originally due for release in September 2000 (the film was made back in 99), a number of ill-fated distribution deals put the kibosh on The Most Fertile Man In Ireland, until director Dudi Appleton's debut finally reached third base in Ireland in 2002 - a year later in the UK.
Based on late-night conversations between scriptwriter Keeble and pals about "what it is to be a man", this was originally intended as a dark satire about a messiah-cum-superhero in present day Belfast - morphing into a lightweight, if uneven farce about a man who's anything but. On the plus side, Marshall, star of Middle England's favourite sitcom 'My Family', does imbue his (admittedly one-note) role with a winning mix of gormless pathos and knockabout good-humour, ably supported by Nesbitt, in full-on panto villain mode.
Predictably, the complex issue of the Troubles is reduced to a mere comic backdrop (represented by alternating portraits of the Pope and HRH, indicating Eamon's visits to Catholic or Protestant households), jarring with the screwball romance. Also a sombre third act sits uneasily with previous hi-jinks, investing its cast with unexplored depths. Nevertheless, an interesting premise from a first time director, showing plenty of promise.
Now in demand from infertile couples the length and breadth of Ireland, and backed by a test tube-eschewing Catholic Church, he soon makes a packet with colleague Millicent (Gallagher) - until paramilitary headcase 'Mad Dog' Billy Wilson (Nesbitt) decides Catholics are outbreeding Protestants, and forcibly recruits him for a 'numbers war'.
"The Most Fertile Man in Ireland... is Coming!" chortled the teaser posters, belying a severe case of coitus interruptus. Originally due for release in September 2000 (the film was made back in 99), a number of ill-fated distribution deals put the kibosh on The Most Fertile Man In Ireland, until director Dudi Appleton's debut finally reached third base in Ireland in 2002 - a year later in the UK.
Based on late-night conversations between scriptwriter Keeble and pals about "what it is to be a man", this was originally intended as a dark satire about a messiah-cum-superhero in present day Belfast - morphing into a lightweight, if uneven farce about a man who's anything but. On the plus side, Marshall, star of Middle England's favourite sitcom 'My Family', does imbue his (admittedly one-note) role with a winning mix of gormless pathos and knockabout good-humour, ably supported by Nesbitt, in full-on panto villain mode.
Predictably, the complex issue of the Troubles is reduced to a mere comic backdrop (represented by alternating portraits of the Pope and HRH, indicating Eamon's visits to Catholic or Protestant households), jarring with the screwball romance. Also a sombre third act sits uneasily with previous hi-jinks, investing its cast with unexplored depths. Nevertheless, an interesting premise from a first time director, showing plenty of promise.
- Ali_John_Catterall
- Nov 11, 2009
- Permalink
OK its not brilliant BUT.
Its a black comedy aimed at the British sense of humor. Me well i am Scottish and thought some parts were really funny.
Others will comment on bad lighting, bad direction, bad script. well i am not commenting on that. The film was good enough to warrant my recommendations. The concept in itself is hilarious and the whole Catholic & protestant divide made funny in places.
The end is SOOO predictable but welcomed.
In the end no Hollywood Budget, No bangs no severe twists but worth looking at anyway.
Its a black comedy aimed at the British sense of humor. Me well i am Scottish and thought some parts were really funny.
Others will comment on bad lighting, bad direction, bad script. well i am not commenting on that. The film was good enough to warrant my recommendations. The concept in itself is hilarious and the whole Catholic & protestant divide made funny in places.
The end is SOOO predictable but welcomed.
In the end no Hollywood Budget, No bangs no severe twists but worth looking at anyway.
- krismcewan
- Nov 11, 2005
- Permalink
Heaven, Mary and all the Saints above! A young man has got super sperm, it's miracle bejesus, call the Pope, all you ladies out their desperate to get preggers, line up out side his door and drop your marks and sparks finest! Risible retro ealing comedy type comedy, trying to bring you a bit of the auld Irish charm. Has an effect like placing two fingers down your own throat, voamitus maximus! One out of ten!
I have to say I enjoyed this film much more than I expected to. I watched it because I wanted to see what else Kris Marshall could do and I think James Nesbitt is usually very good.
This is a funny film which manages to entertain beyond what the plot suggests. The various subplots (which I won't give away for those who have yet to watch) and moral dilemmas widen its appeal greatly.
The Most Fertile Man in Ireland clearly shows Kris Marshall's talent for other roles beyond My Family and Murder City and gives good insight into his acting range.
Not a masterpiece by any means but a funny film that deserves to be seen by more people.
This is a funny film which manages to entertain beyond what the plot suggests. The various subplots (which I won't give away for those who have yet to watch) and moral dilemmas widen its appeal greatly.
The Most Fertile Man in Ireland clearly shows Kris Marshall's talent for other roles beyond My Family and Murder City and gives good insight into his acting range.
Not a masterpiece by any means but a funny film that deserves to be seen by more people.
- vikingvampireparrot
- Aug 24, 2006
- Permalink
The Most Fertile Man in Ireland revolves around Eamon Manley who is 24 year old and still happens to be a virgin. He lives with his mother in Belfast. He is also a very shy guy towards women. Everything has changes for Eamon when he is seduced by a woman(as far as I can remember a neighbour). It is not because he looses his virginity but he discovers that he has a super power. Despite having protection, this neighbour becomes pregnant. He is told by the doctor that he has very high sperm count. His mother brilliantly comes up with an idea which makes us see ginger headed babies all around in the end of the film. He starts helping out women in both side of Belfast to conceive babies. First voluntarily then with the help of his colleague runs a business out of it. The Most Fertile Man in Ireland has its funny moments but needed to come up with better jokes and with a better script. I couldn't help thinking that it gave me the impression of a TV sitcom rather than a movie. Kris Marshall is a different name on the silver screen but does not shine as star. It's more like the guy you saw in such and such movie. Like him being in Love Actually(I think he was very funny in that one)..Well, it was okay to watch but couldn't help dozing off from time to time. ** out of *****
OK, so it's not brilliant, but it is funny in places. There are several points that I don't feel further the plot, but it's pretty funny.
And yes, it's predicable as hell, because there was very little other way it could have been really and still have kept the idea going. I think it's just one of those things you could watch with a few mates and enjoy.
If you like Kris (how it pains me to type that with a K) Marshall, then you'll like this. I don't fully understand why they cast a lead in an Irish set film as someone who is as far as I remember a rather posh English man, but the acting is believable, and the accent is generally good, although there are some points where it just seems to fly out of the window.
I don't think people would get the black humour in this movie unless they were relatively familiar with the conflict in Northern Ireland, but it does have moments of completely stupid, and yet amusing jokes.
The problem is, that the characters seem a little wooden, and their reactions are not always brilliant. But it's a pretty sweet film, and it's got a good message I guess.
Worth a watch at least.
And yes, it's predicable as hell, because there was very little other way it could have been really and still have kept the idea going. I think it's just one of those things you could watch with a few mates and enjoy.
If you like Kris (how it pains me to type that with a K) Marshall, then you'll like this. I don't fully understand why they cast a lead in an Irish set film as someone who is as far as I remember a rather posh English man, but the acting is believable, and the accent is generally good, although there are some points where it just seems to fly out of the window.
I don't think people would get the black humour in this movie unless they were relatively familiar with the conflict in Northern Ireland, but it does have moments of completely stupid, and yet amusing jokes.
The problem is, that the characters seem a little wooden, and their reactions are not always brilliant. But it's a pretty sweet film, and it's got a good message I guess.
Worth a watch at least.
- Katefkndoes
- Jun 12, 2006
- Permalink
It's a well-known fact that around the world the sperm count in the human male is on the decrease. Eamon (Kris Marshall) a red-headed Irish Catholic after due consideration decides with the help of his mother he could help some of the couples who desperately want children. Like a door-to-door salesman he delivers the goods and the wives are ecstatic as they soon become pregnant. Eamon in his simple way considers he is helping to build up the ailing population and even the church authorities give him their blessing as he produces more catholics.
This is a somewhat immoral tale but in the same way that they say sex should be fun this film approaches the subject of sex and fertility in a light-hearted and humorous way. It does tend to become a little repetitive as he goes about knocking on the neighbours' doors. Eamon seems to enjoy the work and he agrees with his mother that money can be made out of this rewarding exercise. But when he falls in love, his attitude changes. And why not? He now has new duties.
The ending is rather predictable when the camera roams among the many babies.....all red-headed, of course!
This is a somewhat immoral tale but in the same way that they say sex should be fun this film approaches the subject of sex and fertility in a light-hearted and humorous way. It does tend to become a little repetitive as he goes about knocking on the neighbours' doors. Eamon seems to enjoy the work and he agrees with his mother that money can be made out of this rewarding exercise. But when he falls in love, his attitude changes. And why not? He now has new duties.
The ending is rather predictable when the camera roams among the many babies.....all red-headed, of course!
- raymond-15
- Jul 28, 2002
- Permalink
Dont take it seriously. It's a fun movie. Have a laugh and forget about the world for 90 minutes
- naomimuldrew27
- Nov 25, 2019
- Permalink
I found this film very funny and easy to watch, I suppose really it would be classed as a romantic comedy. Its all set in Belfast and perhaps the fact that that's where I'm from is what made it appeal to me so much. Its a great story which incorporates many facets of life in Belfast without being heavy going, rather it pokes fun at them. The majority of the cast certainly sound as if they are from N.Ireland, although the lead role is an English guy - but his Belfast accent is pretty good, and definitely doesn't detract from the film at all. I was surprised by the low ratings others have given this film and can only guess that they didn't get the Belfast humour in it.
- jill_davidson
- Jun 8, 2004
- Permalink
What a great, fun movie. I found it to be funny most of the time, with some hilarious moments as well. I think some of the humor may be lost on us US viewers, but I still put this up there with any of my favorite comedies. The other reason for enjoyment were the great characters in particular Eamon (Kris Marshall). For me, if you have characters that you either connect with or just enjoy, AND it's funny along the way, then WHO CARES if you know where the plot is going?!? Since when did all genres of movie plots need to surprise you?? Evidentally this can be hard to find for renting, (it IS on netflix) if so just buy it. It's just as good the second time...
featuring flawless timing, characterization, and storytelling. Between the funeral home thread, the dating service bit, the IRA and the efforts of the protestants to co-opt young Kris' amazing talents, this movie crackles with laughs in almost every frame. Yet, when a little tenderness is called for, the director gives Romance a fighting chance.