Whatever happened to the real Ireland we know so well from all those Hollywood films of yore? Barry Fitzgerald, or at least his ghost, is nowhere to be seen in this hip little tale. And not a sound from Bing Crosby. Nor any nuns nor IRA types nor leprechauns nor prelates seducing altar boys. I thought "Angela's Ashes" had brought us up to date on Irish history, but, my goodness, just look how things have changed on the Emerald Isle!
All facetiousness aside, some of the comments written here by Irish viewers are impressively insightful and full of true reflections that could as well have been made years ago about life in that tiny country. That this film comes out of a modern and progressive (to some extent at least) culture is obvious,and no Irishman need labor over an apologia to that effect. One must remember that these same streets were known to James Joyce and Jonathan Swift.
As to the film itself, only a fool could take it seriously. It is a one-note "spoiler" from beginning to end, with no true center by way of an intriguing plot. The shifts back and forth in time to suggest multiple points of view have indeed been done before in much better films than this. The characters are apt and comely, but with little depth. Romantic comedy needs an edge, as well as some surprises, to make it go the distance. Everything here is just too likeable.
Hmmm. I guess the same thing might be said of Barry Fitzgerald.
All facetiousness aside, some of the comments written here by Irish viewers are impressively insightful and full of true reflections that could as well have been made years ago about life in that tiny country. That this film comes out of a modern and progressive (to some extent at least) culture is obvious,and no Irishman need labor over an apologia to that effect. One must remember that these same streets were known to James Joyce and Jonathan Swift.
As to the film itself, only a fool could take it seriously. It is a one-note "spoiler" from beginning to end, with no true center by way of an intriguing plot. The shifts back and forth in time to suggest multiple points of view have indeed been done before in much better films than this. The characters are apt and comely, but with little depth. Romantic comedy needs an edge, as well as some surprises, to make it go the distance. Everything here is just too likeable.
Hmmm. I guess the same thing might be said of Barry Fitzgerald.