Evelyn (2002)

Director:

Bruce Beresford

Writer:

Paul Pender (written by)

Release Date:

21 March 2003 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The story of a father's love that changed a nation

Plot:

Desmond Doyle is devastated when his wife abandons their family on the day after Christmas. His unemployment...

Plot Keywords:

Catholic Church | Unemployment | Catholic | Christmas | Child Abuse

Awards:

1 win & 7 nominations

Cast

Sophie Vavasseur	...	Evelyn Doyle
Niall Beagan	...	Dermot Doyle
Hugh McDonagh	...	Maurice Doyle (as Hugh Macdonagh)
Pierce Brosnan	...	Desmond Doyle
Mairead Devlin	...	Charlotte Doyle
Frank Kelly	...	Henry Doyle
Claire Mullan	...	Mrs. Daisley
Alvaro Lucchesi	...	Inspector Logan
Garrett Keogh	...	District Judge
Daithi O'Suilleabhain	...	Brother Eustace (as Daithi O'Suillebhain)
Andrea Irvine	...	Sister Brigid
Marian Quinn	...	Sister Theresa
Karen Ardiff	...	Sister Felicity
Julianna Margulies	...	Bernadette Beattie
Bosco Hogan	...	Father O'Malley

Also Known As:

Ein Vater kämpft um seine Kinder (Germany) (TV title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic material and language.

Runtime:

94 min | USA:95 min (TV version)

Country:

Germany | Ireland | USA | UK | Netherlands

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Netherlands:AL | South Korea:All | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Canada:PG | Spain:7 | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Ardmore Studios - Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland

Company:

CineEvelyn

Trivia:

Evelyn's mother is said to have gone to Australia with her lover, but in reality, she went to England and ended up raising another family there. The real Evelyn eventually saw her mother on more than one occasion, but they never reconciled.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The movie, set in the 1950s, features Irish television. Ireland's television station RTE was established on New Years Day 1962.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Dermot Doyle: Evelyn, did Jesus have a big sister?
Evelyn Doyle: No Dermot, he wasn't as lucky as you.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Evelyn: The Story Behind the Story (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

The Parting Glass

How Did This Film Get Overlooked?

I just watched this movie on pay per view, and I thought it was delightful. Pierce Brosnan does a fine job. So nice to see him really get a chance to act. And the supporting cast, including Alan Bates and Stephen Rea, is exceptional. The story is very believable and touching, probably because it is based on a true story. I just wonder why this film, directed by the talented Bruce Beresford, did not make any significant splash when it was released. It may have played in Austin, but I don't remember it. Just shows how marketing, or lack of it, can make a movie disappear. It's a shame it didn't get more attention. I heartily recommend it.