Movie Depictions of Boys Clothes: Ireland


Figure 1.--.

An Irish reader tells us, "To be honest, Irish films are only in the last few years with Irish Directors making their debuet, and getting on well across the water. Two good ones are, The Commitments and Angel's Ashes." The Irish story has been told by many foreign film makers. Ireland is one of those countries that figures in many foreign films. I'm not sure about British films, but there are many American films. Several deal with Ireland and many more films touch on Irish immigrants in America or have Irish characters.

Angela's Ashes

For the McCourt Family, the Promise of America was a failed one. Having arrived in the midst of the Great Depression, Malachy (Robert Carlyle) is just another one of millions of unemployed head of households. His wife Angela (Emily Watson) has her hands full with the three boys she climbed off the boat with and, as this flick starts, the family is blessed by the arrival of their first girl. By the time this flick is, oh, maybe half an hour old, if you're not thanking whatever Higher Power there is that you live in America in the present day, you should be -- the depths of this family's poverty is crushing and the support systems we have today didn't exist back then.

(The) Boy from Mercury - (Ireland, 1996)

" The Boy from Mercury " was set in Ireland during the 1960s. The film is an evocation of early 1960s Ireland. It tells the story of 8-year-old Harry Cronin who is trying to come to terms with the loss of his father. In doing so, he becomes a Walter Mitty like character, in the belief that he and his dog Max are aliens from the Planet Mercury, who have been sent to Earth to observe and report to the Mercurians about life on planet Earth. He does this at night by flashing his torch at what he believes is a spacecraft from Mercury, which passes over his council house at the same time every night, in reality it is an aircraft on a scheduled flight.

(The) Butcher Boy

The sad film deals with a boy's mental breakdown and turn to violence in a Monaghan town. There are humoerous and nostalgic pats, but a strong element of horror. The film is directed by Neil Jordan. It is based on a novel by Patrick McCabe.

(The) Commitments

This fast paced film is about a Dublin R&B band. Lots of music. It is directed by Alan Parker from a novel by Roddy Doyle.

(The) Great Man Votes - (US, 193?)

This movie deals with the Irish in America.

Michael Collins

This is a powerful depiction of the life of Michael Collins, who more than anyone made possible the independence of Ireland. The history is reasonably accurate. If I rmember correctly several boys featured in the film, although I saw it some time ago an do not remember the details.

My Left Foot

This emotioinal film, is bth funny and life affirming. It is based on a true story of how a Dublin man overcomes a severe physical disability and become a respected writer. It is directed by Jim Sheridan along with Daniel Day-Lewis. It is a wonderful, accurate depiction of family life. The film is based on the autobiography of Christy Brown.

(The) Secret of Roan Inish

This is a wonderful modern fable. A boy stolen is stolen by seals. Actually he creature was a kind of mermaid, both woman and seal. The Irish call these mermaids Selkies. The main character is Fiona. An ancestor of Fiona trapped a Selkie and married her. They had children together. She longs to return to the sea. Finally she finds where her husband hid her sealskin. She put it back on and returned to the sea. Fiona is told the story as family history. Fiona On Roan Inish sees a young boy, Jamie, running on the sand. She calls out to him, but he jumps back in his cradle, which is then taken out to sea by friendly seals. Shetries to tell the story to adults. Then her grandparents face eviction from their cottage to make room forwealthy city people. The film wonderfully depicts Ireland's craggy coastline and th people of Ireland. It is directed by John Sayles.

Unknown film

I should know the name of this film, I have read bout it. Two gypsy boys lived with their father. The gypsies are called Rovers. Their mother died giving birth o the younger boy. They steal a magical white horse and the police chase them to the west coast wbere the horse heads out to sea. It is winter and the boys wear coats and sweaters.







HBC






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Created: February 3, 2003
Last updated: July 30, 2003