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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!

I rate this film with the best of British such as "Ladybird, Ladybird" and "My name is Joe." The acting is so outstanding that it looks like a documentary. The idea is so clever and the film/story could have gone in any direction, all of which would have been interesting. The doling out of snippets of information about the past was particularly good and the protagonist has nerves of steel. I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I find that friends in Britain haven't heard of this film yet and Cinema Arts in Huntongton NY has done us all a favour by booking it so soon. Wonder how the other two students make out with theirs.

Just saw this at Cinema Arts in Huntington NY and I wonder why the negative comments are so nasty. This film is exactly what it claims to be - an independent film, made with limited resources by hardworking actors who give it their all. While all the characters may not be appealing, they are all interesting and have something to say. The younger brother (Jordan), for example, was fascinating. The two leads were excellent and had chemistry that is hard to find in so called major movies. Nicole may have had one or two too many nude scenes, but that's OK. Justin Kirk really caught his character and his dialogue and delivery was excellent. The film could be 20 minutes shorter with tighter editing and might be more enjoyable and have fewer head-scratching scenes. What was the conversation between the mother and the husband in the hospital cafeteria all about and where did it lead to? All in all a six or seven and worth seeing, in my opinion.

What an enjoyable movie. Made by a woman about men and their emotions. She nails it every time. Stellar performance, as usual, from Peter Mullan. Always excellent. His previous films include "My name is Joe", "Young Adam", "Trainspotting", "Ordinary Decent Criminal", "Shallow Grave", "Criminal" and all the way back to "Riff Raff". Mixture of Scottish, English & Irish actors, but hardly noticeable as the accents were very reliable. Could easily have slipped over into sentimentality and while it went close to the edge, stayed the course. All in all a well made, entertaining movie. Will be reminiscent of "The Full Monty", although far superior.

What a surprise to find such a nice movie in February. I hope people get to see it and enjoy it as much as I did. If you've never seen Lena Headey (or don't recognize her) please see "Aberdeen". All the leads were excellent and the supporting players, possibly because they're British, are top notch. A believable story, nicely resolved, with Dusty Springfield on the soundtrack (of course). What more could you want? Matthew Goode, who was much more appealing than he was in "Match Point", will take over where Hugh Grant left off and be much better. This was, to me, what "Kissing Jessica Stein" should have been. (Does anyone else think Lena Headey (Luce) could play Keira Knightley's older sister?)

Just saw this and it immediately went to the top of my list for 2005. Even above "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang". It's that good. When it was released a few weeks ago, I recall the reviewers raving about Cillian Murphy's performance. Yet, it hasn't shown up in any of the top ten of the year lists, so far. What happened? Is it too sophisticated? Is it because the viewer has to make an effort and accept the fantasy? Wonderful performances, beautifully photographed and what a soundtrack. (Dusty & Van). This should send Cillian Murphy's stock through the roof and if anyone hasn't seen him in "Intermission", another Irish movie, they should make it their business. Neil Jordan adds another gem to his body of work.

What a terrific movie, which is unfortunately being ignored. I regard it as the best of its kind since "Fargo". Interesting actors in interesting roles. Nice to see Robert Downey Jr. in a proper vehicle and where has Val Kilmer been? The biggest surprise was Ms. Monaghan. She had a very appealing small role in "Boston Public" last year. When she undressed while Downey could see her in the mirror and the following scene were possibly the sexiest scenes of the last few years. For the first time in ages, the second half of the movie was at least as good as the first. Well done to everyone involved and hopefully, we'll get a sequel (why not?) with the same cast.

Whatever this movie is, it is not a comedy. So many reviewers, professional and otherwise, describe it as such and yet, I sat in a cinema without the hint of a laugh, other than when Oiver Platt was on the screen. I like John Cusack in, more or less, everything he does and here he had the chance to revive his character from "The Grifters", but they played it straight. Connie Nielsen, fluctuated between being seductive and serious when she could have been Linda Fiorentina and had us all wondering what she would say or do next. Billy Bob was Billy Bob. 'nuff said. And Randy Quaid got to do the Wiiliam Hurt (History of Violence) thing with a one scene appearance. Come on guys, you took a fine cast and clever idea and turned it into a disappointment, no matter what EW says.

What an enjoyable movie. Saw it at the Stony Brook Film Festival and was disappointed to hear it has gone straight to video. With so much crap out there, there is surely a place for a movie like this. Unfortunately, there are no special effects, or in your face sex and violence. The story makes sense, the loose ends are tied up and the characters are real. In fact, one of the few known faces, to me, was Sandra Oh and she was nearly a distraction, because she is so familiar. Everyone else seemed more real. This movie was made by the same guy who made "Marion Bridge" another Canadian movie set in Cape Breton and starring, if that's the right word, the delightful Molly Parker. Bravo John McIvor and everyone involved in this thoroughly entertaining movie. You'd have been pleased at the ovation at the end of the screening.

I was really looking forward to seeing these three actors work with John Duigan. Charlize Theron, who has been very good in everything, since "Two Days in the Valley" was suitably cast here. Stuart Townsend, however, was in over his head and didn't have the chops for this important and imposing character. That said, he was excellent in "About Adam", which was far lighter fare. How could such a cast and director get it so wrong? Some of the sets were ridiculously fake. There is a scene where what looks like a toy car drives slowly down a narrow street. All in all, Penelope Cruz was wasted, as they could have done far more with her "modelling" and her ambition to be a nurse. Same with her relationship with the Charlize character. I'm not surprised it didn't make a splash in the theatres.

Everyone involved (and the audience) should seek out "The Candidate" to see how good this movie could have been. What happened the South American story? What were Julie Christie and Kate Capshaw thinking to allow their roles to be cardboard cut-outs. Up to now I have liked every Gene Hackman performance and/or movie. He was either disinterested (which I can hardly believe) or dreadfully miscast. I have also liked and defended Richard Gere (and been vilified for it). But here he had no "power". He was never intimidating and only occasionally persuasive. All in all I was very disappointed. I really expected much more from this director and cast. If you can't find "The Candidate" watch "Wag the dog" again or even "Bulworth".

I made it my business to see this film on a recent brief visit to Dublin. I have no expectation that it will ever be released in the U.S. and more's the pity. It is quite charming and even clever. Using the "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" story as a backdrop and not being obvious (to someone who is not from Northern Ireland) about which boy was the Catholic/Protestant. Nice performances from the grown-ups, in the background. One reviewer had a problem with the geography of the locations. That happens in so many movies that it's only a minor distraction anymore. This is a fun and charming family movie. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed it until I heard myself describing it to friends when I got back to the U.S. Well done Terry Loane and all involved.

I have read this movie. I don't believe I've seen it. I have never had a problem with subtitles and frankly, enjoy how good movies overcome the disadvantage of subtitles by causing you to be unaware of their presence. This was another story. The actors seemed charming and believable, but there was so much to read that I could hardly follow their actions. I watched some of it late at night and put it down to tiredness on my part. The following morning I gave it another shot and frankly, was very disappointed. I had read such good things about the movie and really felt for the predicament of the protagonist. Even tho' I hate to say this, this was a clear case where dubbing would have been better. I can't believe what I've just said but mean it sincerely.

This might very well be the funniest and certainly the most realistic Irish/Dublin comedy yet. Up there with "The Commitments" and "The Snapper'. Even Colin Farrell is well and suitably cast. A very funny convoluted kidnapping story that meanders and eventually joins together neatly. Two terrific Scottish actresses Shirley Henderson and Kelly McDonald do passable Dublin accents and some seldom seen, excellent Irish actresses Ruth McCabe and Deirdre O'Kane in some of the 12 or 13 leading roles. Broadway and "Million Dollar Baby" actor Brian O'Byrne has a particularly funny part as the unfortunate bus-driver. Highly recommended.

I highly recommend this movie. It gives an excellent view of small-town life in Ireland and shows that it's not different to most countries, especially small-town America. ( "The Last Picture Show"). The characters are well drawn and one can feel the tension building from start to finish. While the actors may not be familiar, the director, Gerard Stembridge, has also made another excellent comedy set in Dublin called "About Adam" (starring Kate Hudson, with a passable Dublin accent). For a beginning director to have made two such accomplished films is remarkable. Now that real Irish films are being made such as "Intermission" this one is up there with the best.