Ryan McNeil
I must admit, there’s nothing like a holiday that encourages drinking to get the creative juices flowing. While I’m not exactly a second generation Irishman myself, my father’s family did indeed come from The Emerald Isle before coming to Canada around the turn of the 20th century, and I’ve always felt a kinship with that side of my heritage.
So in honour of that wonderful country, I thought I’d celebrate its cinema with today’s top five. All of these titles come straight from Ireland, and any of them could provide a decent alternative to a bar rammed full of wannabes drinking green beer (side note: Don’t…just don’t. No self-respecting Irish would drink green beer).
So crack open a Guinness, serve up the corned beef and cabbage, and read on for…
#5. INTERMISSION (2003)… I’d wager many of you haven’t heard of this title, but believe me – it’s worth the search. Very funny, with a great rock & roll pace to it, the movie examines both love denied, and low-level thuggery. Let me clarify, when I say “low level”, I’m talking about a petty thief named John (Cillian Murphy) who can only muster up enough guts to steal a bottle of brown sauce (or A1 sauce as we’d call it in North America). Full of characters with some odd obsessions, a pretty manic energy, and a kick ass soundtrack, INTERMISSION is a hidden gem.
#4. THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY (2006)… Chalk another one up to Cillian Murphy. This time he’s playing his part in the story of how Ireland fought for its independence. It’s a tale of men and women who were branded as terrorists and traitors, but would eventually be seen as patriots. What will draw you in even further, is when these rebels finally win what they are fighting for. It’s then that the division begins, and they no longer fight the enemy…they fight each other. It’s one of the best stories of Ireland’s struggle for independence…and this one doesn’t include Julia Roberts fumbling through a bad Irish accent.
#3. IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER (1993)… The grandaddy of them all. Long before the words “Patriot Act” were a shadow of a thought, The British government passed a law that allowed them to detain, question and torture any suspect they chose for seven days without charge. Such a violation of human rights was what landed petty thief Gerry Conlon in prison. Worse yet, his frail father was imprisoned as an accessory. The movie is worth seeing for the brilliant work of Daniel Day Lewis and Pete Postlethwaite, and the gritty direction by Jim Sheridan. Ireland’s history is riddled with stories of injustice – this is one of the biggest.
#2. ONCE (2007)…Not one for fighting, terrorism, and violence? That’s OK, The Irish love their music too as evidenced by this simple tail of two people who meet and make beautiful music together. While the movie isn’t what anyone would call “quintessentially Irish”, it’s a wonderful example of the heart of Ireland’s lower working class. Filmed entirely on location in Dublin, and featuring one of my favorite songs of the last decade, it has quickly take it’s place as one of my all-time favorites. It might well even be my number one, if not for…
#1. THE COMMITMENTS (1991)… As a love letter to music and to The Irish, it’s hard to top Alan Parker’s modern classic. Based on a witty story by Irish author Roddy Doyle, and containing a cast primarily made up of unknowns, the movie celebrates the lower class Dublin North Siders. You have some of the wittiest dialogue Ireland has ever exported, some of the greatest songs of all time, sung by an actor who is amazingly sixteen-going-on-thirty. And just in case that isn’ty amusing enough for you, you get an Elvis-worshipping Colm Meany! Oh, one last bit of trivia for you. The Commitments’ redheaded guitarist on that right-hand side of the photo above? That’s Glen Hansaard from ONCE.
Did I miss one? Feel free to leave comments naming your favorite Irish films, along with suggestions for the next top five.
Excellent choices, especially “Barley.” I still need to see Intermission. In Bruges doesn’t really count does it? It’s Irishmen in Belgium.
I just reviewed Darby O’Gill and the Little People as a gag, but I do love John Ford’s idyllic Irish fantasy The Quiet Man quite a bit.
Awesome list. Some of my personal favourites, although not necessarily Top 5, are:
The War of The Buttons
Into The West
Matchmaker
My Left Foot
In America
Some Mother’s Son
… and The Wind That Shakes The Barley is probably my favourite all time about the Irish struggles.
Oh how my Frames lovin’ heart trilled an impassioned Hurrah at your top two.
Probably not great cinema but one that I love is Boy Eats Girl – it’s an Irish Zombie movie 🙂
B
I hope Steve McQueen’s Hunger will joins these ranks.
Great list Hatter! I apparently need to see Intermission!
In America is a very good film – nice addition Sean.
The only Irish film I can think to add is Lance Daly’s Kisses that was at TIFF in 2008. Beautiful film although definitely shows some harsh realities.
Excellent choices..am I being naive by saying that I enjoyed The Departed?
I actually own InterMission, stole it from my girlfriend's roommate when she was studying abroad in Galway strangely enough, need to give it another watch. Sean makes a good point with My Left Foot, and I hear Hunger was great, too, but awesome list all the same man. I need to get drunk.
Need to see The Commitments too.
Going off the subject of movies: You mention Brown Sauce. The original and the best brown sauce is HP, originally made in Aston, Birmingham a couple of minutes from Villa Park. Since they were taken over by Heinz production was moved to Holland. Americans probably don’t have a clue what I am talking about as I think it is only available in specialist shops there but I understand you get it in Canada, it’s made in Ontario. Anyone reading this who hasn’t tried it run out and get some now and try it on a bacon or sausage sandwich.
Have to agree with Andy. My earliest memories of roast beef dinner is with HP sauce. It's widely available in Ontario and Québec. Not sure about the rest of Canada though…
IN. FREAKING. BRUGES!!!
C'MON MAN! GET OFF THE BROWN SAUCE!!
My feelings about ONCE aside, a good list. Still need to see BARLEY, though the missus owns a copy.
Also… Cheshire…
HP on a Bacon sammy?? Sounds feckin delish, man!
My coworker just talked about In Bruges a few minutes ago, so off it goes to my Netflix queue. I think it counts as Irish movie because the characters are Irish? I quite like Veronica Guerin and Ned Kelly is a pretty funny Irish comedy.
@ Aiden… Did you pilfer some brown sauce while you were at it?
@ Andy… I'm well versed with HP Sauce, but figured a! was an easier comparison for the yanks who read this space (you're right – HP isn't as big a hit down there).
Damn…now I'm craving a steak with Hp sauce…
@ Doc… last time I checked IN BRUGES was a Brit production, but I could be wrong. Now sit down and give BARLEY a watch.
Once has also quickly taken a place among my all-time favorites. My favorite original song of the past decade is a fighting battle between "Falling Slowly" and "The Weary Kind." I'd have to give Springsteen's "The Wrestler" a fighting third place.
Haven't seen any of these other films though; thanks for the recommendations. I was really creeped out by Cillian Murphy in Batman Begins, I'm intrigued to see how he is in these films.
i can't lie when it comes to the most surprisingly great movies I've ever seen, Intermission is always on there. Great List, also don't forget Breakfast on Pluto, also with Cillian Murphy.