Evelyn (2002)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

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:

Christmas | Catholic Church | Catholic | Unemployment | Pub

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:

Continuity: When the man from SPCC was speaking with Doyle, a woman behind Doyle hung the same pair of pants on the line twice.

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: Behind the Scenes (2003) (V)

Soundtrack:

On the Banks of the Roses

Great Performance by Brosnan

After years of seeing Pierce Brosnan play roles depicting him as the suave ladies man, I was skeptical when we picked this up in the video store and read the premise. I am not a Bond fan and I always considered Brosnan a lightweight actor.

Much to my surprise, Brosnan was dead on in his portrayal of an uncultured, heavy-drinking but loving father, who has his children taken away. It was obvious that he was very passionate about the role, and seemed to be on a mission to prove his mettle as a serious actor.

This is a very atypical movie, not really fitting into any of the usual, predictable genres. It has its funny moments, but it is mostly sobering and heart-wrenching. Aidan Quinn, Julianna Margulies (formerly of ER) and the little girl who plays Evelyn head an impressive supporting cast.

Those who require explosions and car chases need not bother with this one, but if you enjoy an intelligent, touching human drama, you will be in for an unexpected treat.