The Boys from County Clare (2003)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

John Irvin

Writer:

Nicholas Adams (written by)

Release Date:

12 September 2003 (Canada)

Genre:

Comedy | Music | Romance

Tagline:

Listen to your heart.

Plot:

Jimmy McMahon (Meany) and his group of Liverpudlians plot to win the annual Ceili music competition in Ireland.

Plot Keywords:

Band | Competition | Musician | Shamrock | Trophy

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Bernard Hill	...	John Joe
Charlotte Bradley	...	Maisie
Andrea Corr	...	Anne
Stephen Brennan	...	Miko
Eamonn Owens	...	Pat
Malachy Bourke	...	Ben
Brendan O'Hare	...	Brendan
Ian Shaw	...	Johnny
Leslie Bingham	...	Leslie
Colm Meaney	...	Jimmy
Shaun Evans	...	Teddy
Philip Barantini	...	Alex
Frank Twomey	...	Roger
Emmet Kirwan	...	Clive
Noel Bridgeman	...	Drummer

Also Known As:

The Boys & Girl from County Clare (USA)
The Great Ceili War (UK) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some sexuality and nudity.

Runtime:

Canada:90 min (Toronto International Film Festival) | USA:90 min

Country:

Ireland | UK | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Ireland:15A | Finland:K-7 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | UK:15 | USA:R | USA:R (certificate #39781)

Filming Locations:

Isle of Man

Company:

Isle of Man Film Commission

Trivia:

An Irish music competition such as the one portrayed in the film is called a "fleadh" (pronounced like "flahhh"). However, nobody uses this word in the movie.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The film is supposedly set in the early 60's when the Beatles were a beat band. Yet we see an English car with an H registration - not issued until August 1969. Alex and Teddy also mention Kevin Keegan signing for Liverpool. This did not happen until 1971.

Quotes:

Anne: Is that all You ever think about, Music?
John Joe: Well when you've got the music, you've got friends for life, thats why I'm never lonely. Remember that.

Movie Connections:

References The Mission (1986)

Soundtrack:

The Rolling Wave

A delightful film, with good lessons, pathos, fun, music & humour.

The Boys from County Clare is a delightful comedy with many dark, dramatic overtones. Two brothers, estranged for years, are competing in a ceili (Irish dance music) band competition. Each will stop at nothing to prevent the other from winning, or even entering, the competition. We do not know the cause of the rift but it soon becomes clear that other characters are involved in it. It kept me guessing: sometimes right and sometimes wrong. As time passes, we learn more about the dark secrets of these characters and how they work things out.

If you like Irish music, then you have one more thing to love about this film; it is full of that music. The cast was well chosen both for appearance and acting abilities. Whether or not they really are, they do appear to be playing the music. The characters appear to be very real and always interesting.

There is considerable foul language and drunkenness in the film but it is essential to the understanding of the characters and their ways. There are many beautiful lessons and much pathos but even more humour in the film. Watch for a delightful surprise near the end.