powrpc
Lifetime Total
1+
IMDb Member
24 years
Reviews
Broken Harvest (1994)
Maurice O'Callaghan wrote, produced and directed this piece about "The Troubles" in 1950's rural Ireland.
Maurice O'Callaghan wrote, produced and directed this piece about "The Troubles" in 1950's rural Ireland. Broken Harvest is a strong story involving the left-over emotions and unfinished business from the Irish Civil War in the early 1920's. The story is a retrospective look back at Ireland--by an Irish emigrant--triggered by the death of his mother in present day New York City.
The main protagonists in this drama are Art O'Leary played by Colin Lane and Josie McCarthy played by Niall O'Brien. Both men had fought for independence against the British where they were pitted against each other in the ensuing civil war, following the partition of Ireland. They both have differing opinions about how Ireland should be governed. The other underlying contest that exists between the two men is Art O'Leary's wife, whom both men had courted in their youth.
The story is told mostly through the eyes and ears of young Jimmy O'Leary at the age of 14. Here lies the real strength of the movie. Darren McHugh and Joy Florish, who play teenage love interests, give two outstanding performances in the film. Their interaction is natural and very convincing. Colin Lane and Marian Quinn give the other strong performances. They struggle with raising their son, tending a farm and keeping the sheriff from their doorstep.
What the movie lacks is cohesiveness. Partially due to the extensive time in the making, (over ten years) the movie is jerky. No doubt there could have been better editing which could have yielded better flow and watchability for the audience. This movie was funded over time by Maurice O'Callaghan and this may partly be the reason for the long filming time and jerkiness of the tale.
Broken Harvest is the type of movie that must watched intently. It is a dark brooding film about a confusing, problematic time in Irish history that still plagues Ireland today. As in most Irish films you must first appreciate the history in order to understand the characters and their views.
The main protagonists in this drama are Art O'Leary played by Colin Lane and Josie McCarthy played by Niall O'Brien. Both men had fought for independence against the British where they were pitted against each other in the ensuing civil war, following the partition of Ireland. They both have differing opinions about how Ireland should be governed. The other underlying contest that exists between the two men is Art O'Leary's wife, whom both men had courted in their youth.
The story is told mostly through the eyes and ears of young Jimmy O'Leary at the age of 14. Here lies the real strength of the movie. Darren McHugh and Joy Florish, who play teenage love interests, give two outstanding performances in the film. Their interaction is natural and very convincing. Colin Lane and Marian Quinn give the other strong performances. They struggle with raising their son, tending a farm and keeping the sheriff from their doorstep.
What the movie lacks is cohesiveness. Partially due to the extensive time in the making, (over ten years) the movie is jerky. No doubt there could have been better editing which could have yielded better flow and watchability for the audience. This movie was funded over time by Maurice O'Callaghan and this may partly be the reason for the long filming time and jerkiness of the tale.
Broken Harvest is the type of movie that must watched intently. It is a dark brooding film about a confusing, problematic time in Irish history that still plagues Ireland today. As in most Irish films you must first appreciate the history in order to understand the characters and their views.