The story is that of Desmond Doyle (Brosnan), an unemployed painter and decorator in 1950's Ireland who is abandoned by his wife and left to care for his three young children. When the Irish courts suggest he puts them in to care while he finds work Desmond begins a long struggle to regain custody of the plucky Evelyn (Sophie Vavasseur) and her brothers from the Jesuits and Nuns.
This movie falls below average for me because it could have been so much better. The stellar supporting cast are excellent however it does appear to be a vehicle for Pierce Brosnan and Pierce Brosnan only. Not that I dislike Mr Brosnan I just think he is miscast in this film. This is most evident in one scene in the film when Desmond walks down the street with his legal team. He is advised by tidy himself up for court and yet there he stands amongst his besuited, and immaculate colleagues looking, well, just gorgeous. Pierce Brosnan unfortunately IS James Bond and no amount of stubble and thick Irish brogueing is going to disguise it. The accent is woeful by the way - how an Irishman can make an Irish accent sounds so forced I'll never know.
Julianna Margulies is shamefully under-used yet still manages to shine as the obligitory love-interest. She is never really allowed to say more then a few words at a time, AND still her Irish accent is more convincing.
Alan Bates is wonderful as the comical hard-drinking Family Law expert and former Ireland rugby player. Aiden Quinn delivers a solid performance as the American barrister and love rival. Stephen Rea is also under-used as Desmond's solicitor. All three supply the film's funnier moments.
This film never really raises itself above it's made-for-TV True-Life Drama feel and is neither inspiring nor gripping which means it simply plods to it's predictable and somewhat cheesy conclusion.
This movie falls below average for me because it could have been so much better. The stellar supporting cast are excellent however it does appear to be a vehicle for Pierce Brosnan and Pierce Brosnan only. Not that I dislike Mr Brosnan I just think he is miscast in this film. This is most evident in one scene in the film when Desmond walks down the street with his legal team. He is advised by tidy himself up for court and yet there he stands amongst his besuited, and immaculate colleagues looking, well, just gorgeous. Pierce Brosnan unfortunately IS James Bond and no amount of stubble and thick Irish brogueing is going to disguise it. The accent is woeful by the way - how an Irishman can make an Irish accent sounds so forced I'll never know.
Julianna Margulies is shamefully under-used yet still manages to shine as the obligitory love-interest. She is never really allowed to say more then a few words at a time, AND still her Irish accent is more convincing.
Alan Bates is wonderful as the comical hard-drinking Family Law expert and former Ireland rugby player. Aiden Quinn delivers a solid performance as the American barrister and love rival. Stephen Rea is also under-used as Desmond's solicitor. All three supply the film's funnier moments.
This film never really raises itself above it's made-for-TV True-Life Drama feel and is neither inspiring nor gripping which means it simply plods to it's predictable and somewhat cheesy conclusion.