Mickybo and Me (2004)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Terry Loane

Writers:

Terry Loane (screenplay)
Owen McCafferty (play)

Release Date:

25 March 2005 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

We all need heroes

Plot:

The film tells the story of two boys who become friends at the start of the Troubles in 1970. The boys share an obsession with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, with the consequence that they run away to Australia.

Plot Keywords:

Children | Belfast | Based On Play

Awards:

1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

John Joe McNeill	...	Mickybo
Niall Wright	...	Jonjo
Julie Walters	...	Mickybo's Ma
Ciarán Hinds	...	Jonjo's Da
Adrian Dunbar	...	Mickybo's Da
Gina McKee	...	Jonjo's Ma
Susan Lynch	...	Torch Woman
Laine Megaw	...	Auntie Rita
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Barbara Adair	...	Elderly Wife
Hannah Carnegie	...	Niamh
Patricia Carson	...	Annie
Brendan Caskey	...	Gank
Charlie Clarke	...	Fartface
Maria Connolly	...	Travel Agent Lady
Chris Corrigan	...	Policeman 1
Brian Devlin	...	Rifle Stall Owner
Gerry Doherty	...	Policeman 2
James Doran	...	Barman
Anthony Finigan	...	Barney
Dan Gordon	...	Preacher
Conor Grimes	...	Policeman 3
Niall Hanna	...	Shoe Shop Boy
Vincent Higgins	...	Con
Ashley Hillis	...	Mary
Gemma Hillis	...	Dee
B.J. Hogg	...	Sydney
Paul Jennings	...	Security Guard 2
Tim Loane	...	Barman Present Day
Michael McElhatton	...	Mechanic
Paula McFetridge	...	Shoe Shop Boys Mum
Christina McQuillan	...	Roisín
Andy Moore	...	Policeman 4
Antoinette Morelli	...	Chippy Van Attendant
J.J. Murphy	...	Elderly Husband
Paul Newman	...	Butch Cassidy (archive footage)
Sheelagh O'Kane	...	Nosey Neighbour
Owen O'Neill	...	Adult Mickybo
Robert Redford	...	The Sundance Kid (archive footage)
Martin Rogan	...	Security Guard 1
Pascal Scott	...	Garda
Paddy Scully	...	Bank Teller
Bronagh Taggart	...	Fusco's Ice-Cream Waitress

Also Known As:

Jonjo Mickybo (Ireland: English title) (working title)
Mickybo & Me (Ireland: English title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and brief sexuality.

Runtime:

UK:95 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Spain:13 | Singapore:PG | USA:R | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Australia

Company:

Working Title Films

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When John Joe goes to the cinema near the end, a Big Daddy poster can be seen.

Quotes:

Mickybo's Da: Anyway, he's had nothing new for ages.
Mickybo's Ma: Aye, I know how he feels.
Mickybo's Da: Didn't I get you those washing gloves you wanted.

Movie Connections:

References "Give My Head Peace" (1998)

A truly entertaining and well thought out, sensitive film

I watched this film not knowing what to expect... and it was a great surprise!! The story's two main characters, Mickybo and Jonjo, are terrific actors who surely have great careers ahead of them. They play the parts so well anyone would have trouble not identifying with their vivid imagination, excitement and refreshing naivety when they were their age. I also think writer and director, Terry Loane, has manged to incorporate Ireland's troubled history without making it too much a part of the film so as to spoil what is an excellent story in its own right. I am only disappointed, though, that this film has not made much of an impact in the UK. Especially with tag lines stating that this film comes from the makers of Billy Elliott and starring Julie Walters, Adrian Dunbar, Ciaran Hinds and Gina Mckee, I would have thought this film would have been pushed a lot more, however I am sure you will enjoy the film as much as I did!