Inside I'm Dancing (2004)

Director:

Damien O'Donnell

Writers:

Jeffrey Caine (screenplay)
Christian O'Reilly (story)

Release Date:

15 October 2004 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Live life like you mean it.

Plot:

When the kinetic Rory moves into his room in the Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled, his effect on the home is immediate. Most telling is his friendship with Michael, a young man with cerebral palsy and nearly unintelligible speech. Somehow, Rory understands Michael, and encourages him to experience life outside the confines of home.

Plot Keywords:

Cerebral Palsy | Unintelligible | Friendship | Love | Rain

Awards:

4 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Steven Robertson	...	Michael Connolly
Alan King	...	Tommy
Brenda Fricker	...	Eileen
Ruth McCabe	...	Annie
James McAvoy	...	Rory O'Shea
Anna Healy	...	Alice
Tom Hickey	...	Con O'Shea
Sarah Jane Drummey	...	Girl in Pub
Rachel Hanna	...	Girl in Pub
Emmet Kirwan	...	Angry Man
Romola Garai	...	Siobhan
Pat Shortt	...	Nightclub Doorman
Stanley Townsend	...	Interview Panelist
Derbhle Crotty	...	Interview Panelist
Donal Toolan	...	Interview Panelist

Also Known As:

Rory O'Shea Was Here (USA)

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

UK | Ireland | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Argentina:13 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Finland:K-3 | Sweden:Btl | Germany:6 | USA:R | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Dame Street, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Company:

WT2 Productions

Trivia:

While researching and talking with people who have Duchenne muscular dystrophy, James McAvoy discovered that people who suffer from this disease would rather be ignored than pitied.

Quotes:

Rory: Rory O'Shea was here.
Michael Connolly: Rory O'Shea *is* here.
[Michael points to his own heart]

Movie Connections:

References Being There (1979)

Soundtrack:

Look of Love

On the outside, we can't do much but on the inside, we're dancing!

This movie felt so real. I actually felt all of the emotions portrayed here during my life at various times - that of both Rory and Michael. I have Duchene's Muscular Dystrophy like Rory so what you see here is exactly what I've actually felt myself. Some won't believe there ARE disabled people like Rory, full of anger and rebellion. I know they exist because I'm one of them.

The story is great. For a drama, character-driven movie, the story moves fast. I was never bored, maybe partly because I was seeing stuff that is close to my heart. But I think most people, with intelligence, will be glued to the screen and care about the characters. The acting is phenomenal! James McAvoy is perfect as Rory O'Shea, who has Duchene's muscular dystrophy. He Steven Robertson deserves an award for his portrayal as Michael Connolly, who has cerebral palsy.

Michael's love isn't returned by a girl and Rory helps him come to terms with it. I've felt this many times and the question is "doesn't she love me because I'm just not the one or because my disability turned her off?" No matter what the girl says, we will always be skeptical as to the truth. It's just natural and it hurts either way.

A few parts made me cry a little because it is sad and I have to face the issues myself. People without a terminal disability just cannot begin to fathom how it can feel. This is a must-see film for everyone. Disabled people are everywhere and greatly misunderstood. This film brings a little light on some of the facts of life, which are so taken for granted by the able-bodied. We want to be just like you - to live on our own terms, to go out, to get drunk, to be loved. On the outside, we can't do much but on the inside, we're dancing!