When Brendan Met Trudy (2000)

Director:

Kieron J. Walsh

Writer:

Roddy Doyle (writer)

Release Date:

14 December 2000 (Germany)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

His heart wasn't all she stole . . .

Plot:

A teacher meets a woman who turns out to be a thief and they introduce each other to new things. |

Plot Keywords:

Irish | Ireland | Character Name In Title

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Peter McDonald	...	Brendan
Flora Montgomery	...	Trudy
Marie Mullen	...	Mother
Pauline McLynn	...	Nuala
Don Wycherley	...	Niall
Maynard Eziashi	...	Edgar
Eileen Walsh	...	Siobhan
Barry Cassin	...	Headmaster
Niall O'Brien	...	Judge
Rynagh O'Grady	...	Lynn
Ali White	...	Mary
Julie Hale	...	Female Chorister
Jack Lynch	...	Conductor
Dr. Stewart	...	Himself
Robert O'Neill	...	Dylan

Also Known As:

Stolen Nights (International: English title) (working title)

Runtime:

Australia:94 min | Canada:95 min | Germany:95 min

Country:

UK | Ireland

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:M | France:U | Germany:6 | South Korea:18 | Spain:7 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Company:

Collins Avenue

Trivia:

The school scenes were filmed in Blackrock College, Dublin, Kieron J. Walsh's old school. Walsh was not permitted to use the actual school crest in the film, so the dove and lion were flipped in their positions and the real motto, "Fides et robur" (Faith and Strength), was replaced by "C'era una volta il Ociente" (Once Upon a Time In The West).

Movie Connections:

Features Sunset Blvd. (1950)

Soundtrack:

Panis Angelicus

Funny in a Father Ted fashion but some real plot weaknesses

Shy secondary school teacher Brendan is very much a mother's boy who sings in a choir. Out in the pub one night Brendan gets talking to Trudy, a lively young woman and he is amazed when she agrees to go to the cinema with him. When he gets stood up he goes after her and the two go out to the cinema then back to her place. As their relationship grows Brendan begins to suspect that Trudy's late night walks are not what they seem and he gets involved in her nocturnal world.

In two minds over whether to bother with it or not, I decided to give this a go on the strength that many Irish comedies have surprised me by how different they have been from what I expected. I was happy to see that this continued that trend by mixing a weird romance with Father Ted style humour. This humour is best seen in the little things on the side such as the news on TV reporting `an American official said today that Ireland is great' and things like that. On top of this, because Brendan is a big movie fan we also have lots of movie references (none subtle mind you).

Where the film gets a little heavier is the second half where the movie leans into the relationship side rather than the offbeat comedy side. The film lurches a little more as it become serious and it takes a lot of the energy out of it, spoiling the mix. Generally though it is different enough to carry it through the weak spots where the plot suddenly starts to do something of consequence. It really is only in the second half where the plot tries to do something and really falls apart – major plot lines are simply lost (the Nigerian?) until a tidy final credits summary and much of it doesn't make much sense.

McDonald is good as Brendan, shy when he has to be but still shy underneath when he is trying to come out of his shell. Montgomery is lively but her character is not so strong as she is only really noise and energy. The support cast are all pretty good and are rewarded with having the side-jokes to make away from the responsibility of carrying the main plot – Mclynn of Father Ted fame is probably the most recognisable face.

Overall this works when it comes to the Father Ted style side jokes but is weaker when it comes done to the business of the actual plot. Forced to have something of consequence happen the film goes off a little bit and loses it's sense of humour a bit. Having said that this is still funny enough to justify a watch despite some plotting weaknesses.