Reviews (86)

'You can't come to Russia and not play Russian roulette'.
If you are like me then you can't resist a good spy film; especially if my saint, Val Kilmer, appears in it! The film doesn't really follow the storyline of the books or the series, with Roger Moore. If you are nostalgic about the series then this probably isn't the best film for you. The film itself is a blend of action, romance and comedy at times. The stars of the film; Val Kilmer (Heat) and Elizabeth Shue (Hollow Man), have a genuinely believable romance that leaves any Val Kilmer fan wishing that they were Elizabeth! As for the Russians in the film; they add a refreshing edge which reminds us of how corrupt the World can be. The film follows the life of a thief who's only aim is to make $50 million, any way he can, and he uses the names of Catholic Saints to hide his trail. Meanwhile in a small corner of the World, Dr. Emma Russel has just discovered a scientific Phenomenon. The Russians want her discovery and they are willing to pay whatever and kill whoever it takes to get hold of it. The Saint then gets caught up in a web of Russian Maffia, intigue and love. When you have seen the film as many times as I have you learn to love each Saint for all their different qualities!

Abstract and grim, but that's what makes it good
My mother was uncertain about me buying this video at first, but when I insisted on getting it after reading the reviews here I was satisfied that my money had been well spent. The Saint is unlike any movie I've ever seen before. Like in my title: yes, it is abstract and dim, the dialogue gets a little backward and hard to understand, and Simon Templar seems to have very few motives that made him an international spy. His disguises give the movie it's comedy, of which there is not much because the lovely Elisabeth Shue is the co-star which of course catches your eye. The romance is rather weird but charming, and some things in the movie seem to happen for no reason at all. But it's still good spy action as Simon and Emma, Shue's character who has created the formula for cold fusion, are pursued around Russia by a politically powerful and corrupt group of authorities whom Simon tried to trick. Their adventures there, in Russia- which the movie displays as cold, crowded, and rather malevolent- are definitely worth your time. Val Kilmer is quite handsome and suave as the Saint, and although he's not english, this unique film will serve you well.

you wont need the patience of a saint...this is GREAT
I have no complaints at all about this version of The Saint.
I grew up listening to The Saint on radio and reading about him. This film version doesn't do the character any harm. It tells the tale of his early days. On second thought I do have ONE complaint...where's the sequel?

clever modern prequel
The folks who made this flick deserve credit. They cleverly decided to create a modern prequel to the classic character of The Saint. They didn't just ditch the character and steal the name. This isn't I SPY folks. This film IS The Saint. The modern prequel approach let them introduce a whole new audience to The Saint, but it also gave established Saint fans (like me) a rare glimpse at a part of Simon's life that I'd been wondering about for years: just how he got to be The Saint.
This is a great film!

A MIXED BAG IN THE SCRIPT DEPARTMENT BUT STYLISH POPCORN FUN
Short story: Val Kimler makes this absolutely worth it.

Long story: Yes, it may be a weak throwback to the notorious Saint comics and all that. So what. The movie is modern, stylish and always keeps you on the edge with its elaborate pseudo-politics, intriguing ideas and rehashed romantic mishmash.

Whenever it starts to drag Kilmer turns up in a new disguise and that alone carries the film through to its next thrill. Not to mention that the chemistry between Shue and Kilmer is hot enough to sizzle a steak.

Add to that mix a high-octane Prodigy-induced sountrack and you've got a fun flick with an exciting roulette of action and suspense.

Highly recommended rental. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Snapper may be the funniest film ever made about anunexpected pregnancy. In adapting the second novel of his popular Barrytown Trilogy, Irish authorRoddy Doyle brilliantly captures the hilarious dynamics of a working-classfamily, the virulent gossip of their nosy Dublin neighbors, and the mixedemotions of a young woman on the verge of single motherhood. Sharon (TinaKellegher) is the 20-year-old daughter of Dessie (Colm Meaney), and her refusalto name the father of her unborn child turns into an escalating crisis that's astraumatic (especially for Dessie) as it is delightfully amusing. The film wasdirected for British television by Stephen Frears, but its flawless blend ofcomedy and drama made it worthy of a theatrical release, landing it on manycritics' top 10 lists for 1993. Best known as Chief O'Brien on Star Trek:Deep Space Nine, Meaney mines gold from the role of his career, and hisfatherly love turns The Snapper into a heartwarming charmer withuniversal appeal. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Sequel to "The Commitments", "Snapper" falls short...
"The Snapper" is the second part of the Trilogy of a group of impoverished North Dubliners, the first part being the excellent and almost perfect movie, "The Commitments." "The Snapper" falls short of the quality of the first movie in part because the plot line is muddled. Characters portrayed in "The Commitments" reappear in "The Snapper" but are played weakly by different actors. The dilemma of the sister being pregnant out of wedlock is not really funny, nor is it a large enough crisis on which to build a movie. The single exception to the mediocrity is, as ever, Colm Meaney, once again brilliant, funny and poignant as the father of the family. He paces the film with his performance, laced with perfect comic timing and a delivery as good as any you'll see in any movie anywhere. See "The Snapper" for Meaney's performance--he won't disappoint you.

Wickedly funny
Based on the second book in Roddy Doyle's Dublin trilogy, The Snapper is a wickedly funny glimpse into the lives of a working class Irish family. The eldest daughter of a large family becomes pregnant and refuses to name the father. Not your traditional comic premise, but in this case it works beautifully. The characters are fully developed and presented in such a manner that you care deeply about them, and experience their pain as well as their joy. Veteran actor Colm Meaney (Star Trek DS9), who appears in the other two films that make up the trilogy (The Commitments and The Van), masterfully carries the story as the father of the unruly brood. He comes across as a good man who tries to do the right thing and loves his family, but is painfully human at every turn. The rest of the cast is mostly unknown but very believable and capable. I highly recommend this film (and the books, too). It may be the closest you ever get to Dublin without actually crossing the Atlantic.

A realistic view into an Irish home.
No other film has ever captured the zeitgeist of Irish life as well as the snapper. Roddy Doyle was teaching in a North Dublin working class school when he wrote this book. Much of the dialoge that you hear in the film is directly out of the mouths of his students.

What you see in this film is as close as an outsider is ever likely to come to an understanding of working class Irish life. The unmarried daughter giving birth accounts for 1 in four of all children born today in Ireland. This is as real a situation as you can have. The language, the wit, the sarcasm and the lifestyle are all iminently recognised by Irish people as being true to daily life.

The bonus of the Snapper is that you get a bellyaching laugh at the same time. There are few films as funny as this.

Absolutely brilliant!

A real look at an Irish working class family.
I've seen this video several times and it never fails to entertain me and make me feel good. My maiden name was Curley and my Mother was going to name me Sharon but named me Cheryl instead because all the girls in the ward were being named Sharon. Although my Dad was not born in Ireland, he was very "Irish" and had many of the same mannerisms of the father in this movie. The father reminds me of my Dad (although he would not have been as understanding). Irish Dads typically idolize their daughters and defend their honor at any cost. This Irish dad was no different.
The antics of the family are typical of a large Irish working class family as is the love you see for the girl as she goes through the painful process of growing up and entering motherhood. Having visited Ireland (to scatter my Dad's ashes), I found the dialect true and understandable (even the cuss words). The pub scenes were authentic as well. All in all, a great movie, somewhat dramatic in its content but a very feel good ending. Can't really understand why anyone would compare it to the Committments as it is a totally different type of movie. I enjoyed that as well.

absolutely brilliant!
This is one of the funniest films I've ever seen! Tina Kellegher is brilliant as the knocked up daughter, and Colm Meaney's performance is top notch as always. Anyways this film definitely does justice to Roddy Doyle's wonderful book. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Bean in his element...
This series is amazing! A must for any true fan of Sean Bean. If you loved his portrayal of Boromir in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, be prepared for more daring-do and fantastic sword play! This series is set in Napoleonic times, and Bean plays a soldier in the British army. He's definitely earned his heartthrob status in the role of Richard Sharpe. But the secondary characters are nothing to scoff at, either. A great cast and a killer storyline, romance, betrayal, spies, intrigue and a few of the odd comical elements combine to produce a feature length episode you'll have to own. For history buffs, Bean fans, LOTR fans, or anyone interested in a marvelous storyline.

EXCITING STUFF
this is actually the first episode of Sharpe's that i've ever seen, and i found it lots of fun, filled with action and Sean Bean. The production quality is great. The casting is very good as well, especially in Sharpe's company. Must admit that i came to this series as a fan of Mr. Bean, and am in no way disappointed.

Sword of Honor
One of my favorite Sharpe books and definitely one of the better adaptations, even though the action is transferred from Salamanca to the ficitious(?) Villafranca and the romantic subplot involving a novice nun is best forgotten. Sharpe is assigned the task of tracking down Colonel Leroux, who is after Wellington's chief spy, El Mirador - a task complicated by the fact that Sharpe isn't even told who El Mirador is. Sharpe must also contend with an old enemy returned and a traitor to be uncovered, even as he is gravely wounded during the assault on Villafranca, and hovers between life and death...

Sharpe's Sword is great from beginning to end - never skipping a beat, even if there is that annoying nun in the background. Sharpe, Harper and the rest of the supporting cast are in fine form, and a top-notch set of guest stars including Jack Spears, Father Curtis and Colonel Berkeley round it off. Leroux is suitably slimy and deadly, and the climatic sword fight one of the more brutal I've seen in the series. All this, and Sir Henry Simmerson (from Sharpe's Company) too. And of course, Harper dipping into grail lore by forging Sharpe a new sword out of loyalty and love. A must-watch. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

A Lovely, Sad Movie...woefully misleading adverts
This is an excellent film, moving, sad, even tragic. It is NOT a "warm hearted comedy," as it says on the back of the DVD. And it certainly is not "hilarious". The blurb on the cover is quite possibly the most misleading I have ever come across. Despite that, it is a lovely film. It is a solid, serious British drama, with an excellent all round cast. The humour where present is decidedly low key. Its predominant mood is one of sadness and loss, there is warmth to be sure, but certainly not what is projected on the cover or in the trailer. One wonders why the publicists chose to so misrepresent such a fine film. Was it because they were worried its serious and even dark nature would put off the popcorn munchers? Perhaps it would have been better if they had. Then we wouldn't have been saddled with so many negative reviews from viewers who naturally felt short-changed. Then again, this is not a movie that American audiences would readily take to.

Set in 1947, it tells the story of a 16 year old girl, Stella (Georgina Cates), abandoned at birth by a wayward mother and brought up by her aunt and uncle, who aspires to join the Theatre. Into this milieu she willingly plunges herself. She encounters sordid seedy characters. She takes on menial tasks without pay. She embraces all with a gushing eager naivete. She falls for the stage director (Hugh Grant) who in her young innocence she doesn't realise actually has a preference for boys. She then latches on to an aging Lothario (Alan Rickman) who does appreciate young girls. In this darkness in which she finds herself, past and present intersect. The absent mother she faithfully places a call to everyday, the same mother who gave her away years ago, becomes the silent confidant of her hopes and fears. The aging Rickman character constantly pines for his own past even as he happily deflowers the young girl. The stage director's sordid history of seducing and then spurning young men finally comes to a head. All combine to create an air of loss and decay. A nice touch was the use of a lone flute playing "The Last Rose Of Summer" whenever the Rickman character thinks back to his lost love. If you know the song, it perfectly encapsulates the mood of this movie. And yes there is a twist at the end, but if you have been paying attention, it won't come as too much of a shock. Although the prudes and the self-righteous will as usual recoil in moral outrage.

New Line Entertainment has given us a fine if bare-bones DVD. The film is transferred in it's original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 (enhanced for widescreen TV). Picure quality is good, clean and clear with natural warm colors. Black levels are just right. Audio includes the original stereo plus both DTS and Dolby 5.1 remixes. Excellent presentation. There are even optional English subtitles for people who can't get round the British accents. Thank goodness not everybody makes sanitized, Hollywood dross.

Definitely worth a second look...and a third...and a fourth
I first saw An Awfully Big Adventure on TV at two o'clock in the morning.It made very little sense, and I couldn't understand about a third of what was being said, but the movie still, as another reviewer succinctly put it, "hijacked my consciousness."It was subtle, honest, unforgiving, amazingly well-acted, and a lot of other good things that I can't find the words for right now.

I recently purchased a copy of the video, and realize now that while it loses nothing upon further viewing, An Awfully Big Adventure benefits greatly from a second watching.The dialogue becomes clearer the more you listen to it and the nuances of the characters and the story become more pronounced.Even though my first reaction to the film was favorable, I still think that one cannot judge this movie fairly after only seeing it once (although if you enjoyed it the first time, you probably will again).I have a feeling that nearly all of the reviews here are by first-time watchers, and while you shouldn't entirely discredit their remarks, keep in mind that, like most complex movies, An Awfully Big Adventure only gets better the more you watch it.

I also feel that it cannot be stressed enough that this is not a happy, uplifting movie."Disturbing" is a word used often to describe it, but the word that comes to my mind is "uncomfortable."There's really nothing at the end of the film to redeem all of the sadness, as is common in most movies.Thus, if you don't like to watch depressing movies, DON'T WATCH AN AWFULLY BIG ADVENTURE.And if you're an Alan Rickman or Hugh Grant fan (both of whom are great) and insist upon seeing it, don't write a review that discourages others from watching it just because it was too dark for your tastes.

*I haven't read the novel of the same title by Beryl Bainbridge, but I've heard that it helps to clarify the confusing points in the movie, besides being a good book.Just a thought...

Great film...highly inaccurate synopsis
First and foremost, I want to state that this is NOT a comedy.The summary on the back of the box, describing it as "hilarious," "warmhearted," and so forth, reads as though it was written by somebody who never saw the movie.It is about as much of a comedy as Hamlet is a go-kart race.

That said, it is a super film.Set in 1947, the story centers on sixteen-year-old Stella Bradshaw, who has lost her mother in the war and lives with her aunt and uncle.Stella joins an amateur theatre company and falls instantly in love with the company's slimeball of a director, Meredith Potter.It doesn't take long for her to be lured into the milieu's seedy underbelly, and eventually she has her first (and second and third...) sexual encounter with P.L. O'Hara, star of the company's production of "Peter Pan".

The end of the movie will certainly be found disturbing and/or sad by most (hence my omission of the fifth star in rating the movie), but it's still worth watching - most likely more than once, so you can start to fill in the details you might have missed before.(There's a whole lot of information packed into this plot, and it's very easy to let stuff slip by!)

The cast, of course, is wonderful.Georgina Cates is well cast as Stella, and very pretty too.Her characterization of the shy, unsure-of-herself girl is engaging and well thought out.(She looks about twelve until a scene where we see her topless.Then the illusion is pretty much shattered.) Alan Rickman, as P.L. O'Hara, is great as usual.The big surprise here for me was Hugh Grant's performance as Meredith Potter.He is actually playing a character here - and a nasty one at that.That alone is worth watching the movie!The supporting cast is terrific as well.It was fun to see such first-rate actors bringing such life to such teeny roles (for example, Edward Petherbridge, who has all of approximately fifteen seconds onscreen).

To sum up, An Awfully Big Adventure - though certainly disturbing in places - is an awfully good film.

Awfully difficult to describe this movie adventure
This is another in a long line of films I have viewed solely to enjoy Alan Rickman's performance, and what a performance; but more about that later.

Having read all the Amazon reviewers' comments and a multitude of professional critics' articles I was still unable to get a sense of this film.The plot was somewhat clear, some reviewers having given away the ending (shame on them and what a shame), but the true atmosphere of the film still eluded me.Frankly, I couldn't convince myself this was a film I would enjoy.Having now viewed this unusual but very interesting film, I find that nothing prepared me for what it truly was about and what it had to offer as real entertainment.

Lest I reveal more of the plot than I intend, I will instead stick mostly to my point and say that Alan Rickman is an actor of absolutely unbelievable talent.I say this after every film; he selects the widest range of roles of any actor, and he never gives a less than perfect + performance.His Captain Hook and O'Hara are sublime characters.He looks fantastic in both roles, of course. Again we get to see him dance, not the tango this time, but variety is the spice of his work.The love scenes, and I feel comfortable identifying them as 'love', because his character displays a sense of love despite his shallow nature; and also exhibits a desperate need for love that would be difficult to believe in this particular character if it were portrayed by a lesser actor.His comic reactions have perfect timing and his emotional reactions display feelings that overwhelm and pale the efforts of every other character in the film.This is a considerable feat because this film offers an usual, but solid, performance by Hugh Grant; a side of his talent I had not previously seen and which proved very intriguing.Georgina Cates as Stella, the naive young girl struggling to find both herself and her past, is flawless.She wears her feelings as open as a book on her sweet young face and states her thoughts as directly (and comically) as any adolescent innocent would.Apparently it is like learning the ukulele.

This film is not a comedy; if it were not British, there probably would have been no humor at all.The British it seems have a way of inserting their own manner of dry wit and humor into the most serious of situations without ever losing their direction.Perhaps I have been viewing too many English films of late; as I had no trouble with the accents and understood every word clearly.

There are other reviewers here who have certainly bested my efforts at describing Rickman's attraction in this film, as I think unfortunately my statements certainly fail to do justice to the work he does in 'An Awfully Big Adventure'.I continue to owe him thanks for the unusual scope of entertainment genres I have explored just because I am so awed by his abilities and do not want to miss of minute of an opportunity to watch him work.Others also have provided more of the plot and I too have fallen short of explaining the true nature of the film.All I am left to hope for is that I canencourage any fans of Rickman's or movie-lovers who enjoy the unusual, and who have not yet viewed this film, to get themselves a copy of this rare video and see just what the 'awfully big adventure' is truly all about.I think you will be awfully glad you did.

Tragedy or comedy? Fine actors, at least...
Ok, I wouldn't have wathed it, if it didn't have Alan Rickman. One sees his acting so little, Harry Potter -movies really are a waste of time for people like me, who appreciate the fine adult actors in them - and see them only briefly.

Again Alan Rickman has a difficult part and comes in late in the movie. But what the heck: the movie isn't bad. And Hugh Grant can be really sleezy! I can't tell how much I enjoyed his sexually vague, self-centered director. And Georgina Cates is really wonderful. She is the one that makes this a comedy. Stella (Cates) is so determined to become a real actress, that she hangs on every word the director says and writes down his pseudo-artistic ponderings - which he himself doesn't believe after he's said them. She worships even his nicotine-stained fingers, starts wearing a hidden cross after hearing all in the theatre are catholics - she is a protestant - and fakes a venerial disease, because everyone seems to have sex with everything that moves - except her. So she decides to get rid of her virginity as soon as possible.

Rickman enters in a scene that seems to be designed for someone like him, who can hold your attention without speaking or doing anything, just looking. He walks through the theatre, people come and talk to him, say things to him... He hardly stops or opens his mouth. The director isn't happy to have him back, but everyone agrees, that no one can play Captain Hook like he can, so he is invited to join the cast. Again: Captain Hook: who else? Rickman is the villain we love. And the glimpses of Hook are really delicious. It made me again think, how people send different messages, even professional actors playing the same part. When Grant does the Hook, the children are sitting silently, filled with suspence, even fear, whereas Rickman's Hook makes them laugh out loud. Of course it's been directed that way, but it has some truth in it.

I would also like to mention Alun Armstrong, uncle Vernon, who is always good, in this movie also.

And then... In case you haven't read other reviews: this is not an easy film to watch, even though it's at times very funny. Even though Stella almost demands Rickman's character to take her, it isn't always comfortable to watch their relationship. Even though Cates turns out some comedy in it and some kind of real love seems to be budding between them. And the end is tragic, though it didn't come to me as a big surprise after Rickman said - first seeing Cates -: "I know her." So I was pretty much aware of the real tragedy, but was still touched by the unnecessarily sad solution.

This isn't a feel-good movie. But it's a damn good one and I do like stories that unfold slowly to let you know bit by bit how things really are and where you thought wrong. But no, this really isn't easy. I suppose I should have expected it. When does Rickman play easy parts? ... Read more

Amazon.com

Best known for Deliverance (1972), John Boorman produced what isarguably his greatest film withPoint Blank (1967). In that ambiguous gangster flick, set in a pastel L.A.wasteland, Lee Marvin may or may not be a walking dead man, animated by the desire to avenge his fatal betrayal by the woman he loved and his bestfriend. Many of Boorman's films take the form of quests, fueled by some dreamof utopia; on some level, Point Blank is the tragedy of a just man, appalledand ultimately defeated by the complexity of his world's corruption. The General begins with the death of Martin Cahill--celebrated Dublin gangsterwho stole millions during the 1980s--then literally reverses the approach andassault of his IRA assassin, flashing back in time, back through Cahill'scolorful, criminal quest for his kind of ideal community. Boorman says hisCahill is a throwback to those Celtic chieftains of old who ruled by thieveryand violence; as an anachronism, this charming, brutal bear of a man(perfectly incarnated by Brendan Gleeson) is undeniably reprehensible, but hestands in deliberate contrast to the institutionalized hypocrisy andcorruption of church, state, and IRA alike. Brazenly hanging out inpolice HQ to establish an alibi; maneuvering gracefully through perfectlychoreographed heists; dispensing affection to his wife, and her sister;nailing the hands of a suspected cheat to a pool table; handing out food to women whose husbands are out of work--Gleeson's bluff, often comic gangster is always bigger than life, an eruption of unsocialized energy through thelayers-deep sediment of socially acceptable sin. (In real life as in thefilm, Cahill always hid his faceunder a sweatshirt hood, or behind hisspread fingers--he looks like some mischievous, giant-child.) Shot by thegreat Seamus Deasey in color, then transferred to black-and-white stock, TheGeneral is visually voluptuous, the anatomy of a charismatic monster's soul expressed in lustrous light, silken shades of gray, and ebony shadows.--Kathleen Murphy ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Generally Excellent
Somewhere and sometime. in a galaxy far away, filmakers are going to realize that colloquial Irish brogue is extremely difficult to digest and even more so when enhanced by inherent slang. Thankful I had the DVD version it did not take me more than 15 minutes to flip on English subtitles.
That notwithstanding, this is an excellent film portraying the life of Martin Cahill. Brendan Gleeson was so compelling in this role that I could'nt help but despise him throughout. Jon Voight, as the inspector, is also well worth the price of admission. Funny thing. Voight was criticized for his phony accent but in reality was the only actor that could be totally understood at all times.
See this film. There are 2 versions. Color and B&W. Watch the B&W version. It is much more "mood oriented" where the color(desaturated) can be distracting.

excellent movie, but confusing and poorly made disc
This is a very good movie, Boorman's best since Deliverance, but the disc, which presents a 2:35:1 version in "desaturated color" and a 1:85:1 version in black and white, makes it unclear which way the director intended it to be seen. After carefully analyzing several scenes in both versions, I discovered that the 2:35:1 version is cropped from the original aspect ratio, which was most likely 1:85:1, which is the ratio of the black and white version (unless Boorman filmed it in 1:33:1, as Kubrick and some others liked to do), so I'm guessing that this version, the b+w version, is the one which the director prefers. (also, he filmed it in black and white and probably wanted it to be seen this way.) The computer-colored version is also very cheesy-looking anyway. Hope this helps!

Brendan Gleason as the charming Irish rogue, Martin Cahill
The home of director John Boorman was one robbed by Martin Cahill, who stole, among other things, the gold record from Boorman's wall for "Dueling Banjos," the hit single from his film "Deliverance." That scene is included in Boorman's 1998 film "The General," along with Cahill's disgust at learning gold records are not made of gold, and helps to establish the idea that Cahill is an engaging rogue. Most of that particular task is accomplished by Brendan Gleason, who creates such a likeable character that when he nails one of his men to a snooker table to force a confession, we are inclined to overlook the act of violence.

I checked out "The General" after watching "Veronica Guerin," in which Cahill's murder is an early scene. Ironically, both films begin the same way, with the death of the title character. We then go back to the point in their lives where the filmmaker begins to explain how they came to such a violent end. Cahill starts off stealing potatoes and promising young Frances that he will never be caught. Having been forced to break this promise once he grows up to be man who plans on avoiding returning to prison by planning his robberies with such care than he is nicknamed "The General." But he also has a great sense of flair, which he demonstrates when his wife and mistress, who happen to be sisters, persuade him to buy a house for 80,000 pounds. Then there is his habit of always wearing a hood or having his hand in front of his face in public so that his picture can never be taken.

The Dublin police play into making Cahill look good by sinking to his level and well below. There is also the clear implication at the start of the film that there were complicit in Cahill's murder, although more by an act of omission than commission. So when the police put first Cahill and then his gang under 24-hour surveillance, we enjoy it as he finds a series of ways to get the better of them, with relative ease. In the end, it is not his dealings with the police, but rather his disdain for the IRA that is going to get him killed.

Jon Voight plays Ned Kenny, the cop turned inspector who is supposed to be Cahill's nemesis, but who does not really get to do enough to even be a model of futility in his pursuit of the criminal and his gang. Adrian Dunbar as Noel Curley and Sean McGiley as Gary are Cahill's chief henchmen and it was a treat to see two-thirds of the backup singers from "The Committments" showing up in this film, with Maria Doyle Kennedy as Frances and a black tressed Angeline Ball as Tina.

I keep seeing comparisons between Cahill and Robin Hood, followed by an inevitable caveat that Cahill took from the rich and kept it for himself, but I think that misses the mark. Cahill is more in the mode of Jesse James, who also enjoyed popular support in his community without always spreading around the wealth. The American outlaw also had more of a violent streak, even in the popular folklore about his robberies, than the outlaw of Sherwood Forest. Consequently I see the Robin Hood analogy as another attempt to make Cahill look better than he was, which Boorman's film has absolutely no trouble doing. In the end, "The General" is neither a celebration of Cahill's life nor a warning about the path to be avoided, but a look at a captivating rogue, which is always an interesting journey.

Boring and, well, inertly comic
This movie is like a soup whose ingredients are so good that you can't miss, and yet it comes out bland as dishwater. It's a true and incredible story, masterfully photographed, well acted, lots of great Irish accents, and.... it's boring as hell. It might have come out okay if Boorman had added pathos, but he only goes for humor (like the movie Robin Hood), and it plays so forced that it comes across as desperate and callous (to Cahill's victims). I love just about everything Irish, but this movie was impossibly boring, and its humor was forced.

Great authentic Irish movie
This was a most unexpected treat, not least because I despaired of an Irish movie with John Voight playing an Irish Garda (cop). The movie was delightfully sleazy and gritty, with a great depiction of the flexible morality of the main character, the General. As an Irishman in exile I was impressed the authenticity of the Irishness of the movie, none of your stage Irish here. Big bonus, Voight was terrific and his accent was great. I saw it on the big screen and so cannot comment on the DVD issue. Well worth renting, but be prepared for some heavy accents and heavy language. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Fun, Fun, Fun!
I had the most enjoyable night tonight. My husband came home with free tickets to the alternative theatre for The Boys and Girl from County Clare. I LOVED IT! It was an upbeat Irish movie with lots of swearing and fiddle playing. I don't want to summarize the storyline cause I didn't know what it was about when I went and I think it made all the difference in my viewing enjoyment. Colm Meany (O'Brien from Voyager days) and Bernard Hill (Théoden from Lord of the Rings) were hilarious as were the many supporting characters. The appearance of one of the Corr sisters was surprising but she was a bit flat. Luckily her performance is of no consequence to the whole of the movie. I laughed my ass off from start to finish. The Irish scenery is beautiful as always even when it's grey and rainy. I'm telling all my friends to go see it.

Take a Trip To County Clare, In this soon to be Classic.
The traditional music of Ireland has told a many good stories. Stories of Struggle, loss, immigration, joy, optimism and . . . SIBLING RIVALRY?!. In John Irving's "The Boys and Girl From County Clare" we are introduced to two brothers who spend their whole lives in competition over outstanding musical ablility. The fuel to their fire burns higher when they both enter into a Ceili music competition held in Clare for "Best Ceili Band".

Originally Titled under "The Great Ceili War" [pre production name] 'County Clare' is about an hour and a half's worth of upbeat Irish tunes, loveable characters and lots of laughs. It stars some of Ireland's best known actors [Colm Meaney, Bernard Hill]as well as a few newbies [Shaun Evans and Andrea Corr]. Our standout star of the film is obviously Andrea Corr [Singer, The Corrs]who plays the role of Anne, a naive fiddler who dreams of a life beyond her controlling "Spinster" mother. Her search for love and curiosity for the outside world leads her to rebel against all that she knows and winds her into the hands of love.

My personal reccomendation of the film is this. If you love Ireland, if you love Irish culture, If you love comedy and most importantly if you love Irish Ceili music; The Boys and Girl From County Clare is just the right film for you. Although it takes no prior knowlege of Irish culture or of Irish music to love this film,it is so well filmed, so well told and so well produced that no matter where you live, you too will feel as though you are in Clare alongside our cast. I give this film 5 stars for original characters, unique acting, wonderful storytelling and outrageous music. I'd reccomend experiencing this film in a theater if you can get the chance, simply because it's magical. But if you cannot :) buy the DVD like I am going to in July.

ANDREA CORR shines in this BRILLIANT film...
The Boys and Girl from County Clare was one of the BEST films I have ever seen.Itcombines lots of Irish wit and humor with drama and keeps you interested the entire film.Andrea Corr does a phenominal job as Anne, this is her 3rd film after The Commitments and Evita.Bernard Hill and Colm Meaney also play convincing roles. This is the MUST SEE film of the century!

Irish fun to be had in Boys & Girl From County Clare
Corrs singer Andrea Corr stars as Anne a young talented fiddle player in an Irish ceili band trying to repeat as champions of the All-Irish band championship. Anne is sheltered by her mum played by Charlotte Bradley who is overprotective of Anne much to Anne's dismay. Anne wants to experience romance in her life but her mum has other plans which leads to conflict between the two. Bernard Hill plays John Joe the group's leader and Anne's mum friend. The leading contender to dethrone the band is a band from Liverpool lead by Bernard's younger successful brother Jimmy played by Colm Meany who hasn't seen or heard from John Joe for over 20 years.
The two feuding brothers seem to stop at nothing to prevent the other band from registering in the contest. While at the contest Anne falls for flute player Teddy-played by Shaun Evans who is also the rival band's best player. Anne's mother wants no part of this budding romance and forbids Anne from seeing Teddy. During the course of the contest Anne learns the truth about her father and why her mum is so bitter and protective of her.The movie is full of high-jinxs between the two brothers and the music in the movie is terrific!
The movie is full of emotional moments and you will laugh throughout the movie. Full of fine acting(Corrs singer Andrea Corr does a Brilliant job in her first leading role) and Irish scenery( filmed in Northern ireland) You will enjoy this movie! ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Fantastic film. Very poor DVD transfer.
This is an amazingly good movie, and film performances don't get any more compelling than those delivered here by Daniel Day-Lewis and Brenda Fricker. Day-Lewis's portrayal of Christy Brown and his handicap is so convincing that it is difficult to believe that Day-Lewis is not actually stricken with Cerebral Palsy. But his portrayal, like the Irish writer and artist he portrays, gets far beyond the physical challenges of the disease. He conveys a warmth, humor, and human intensity that avoids cloying sentimentality. In terms of the movie content, I can only echo the superlatives of the previous reviewers. The film itself deserves 5+ stars.

Unfortunately, the DVD transfer is not what I had hoped for. The picture is not noticeably better than on VHS. It is not particularly clear or vivid, and the red hues bleed a bit (like on an aging VHS tape). Perhaps most distracting, there are specks of dirt visible on the image (particularly in light areas, like sky), and there are dust and lint artifacts throughout the transfer. I don't know if all of these flaws were part of the original, master copy, but it looks like they just made a quick transfer from a film copy they had handy. It's a shame that such a fine movie, which won 2 Academy Awards, did not merit more care in the transfer to DVD.

In short, this a triumphant movie that merits seeing (and owning). But if you have a VHS copy in working order, you won't get much added value from buying the DVD.

This is not a Movie..this is a LIFE !!
...First , i have to admitt that i've never ever heared about this movie bofore one night i was just watching the T.v and there it was..and i guess i was lucky...i didn't feel like watching a movie i felt like beeing a witness of that man's life...as if i was a member of his family or even as if i was him....Daniel day lewis' great performance makes you feel all the non-spoken feelings...personally, daniel day lewis became my favourite actor since i've seen that beautifull movie....the movie is about life so it's full of joy as it's full of sadness, you'll smile as you'll tear. very senstive and heart catching....the movie is divided ito chapters..which are the chapters of the autobiography of the writer ..in each a portrait by painting and by words for every one who did impact the writer...the tender mother, the furious father who held unshowed tenderness and more..........if you are browsing to buy it...do it with out thinking.. :))

This Will Warm Your Heart!!
This movie will warm your heart. Daniel Day Lewis is extraordinary in this role of Christy Brown. In a day and age when those with special needs were thrown aside as rejects of society, this film is a very sensitive portrayal of the immense courage needed to forge one's way. Lewis deserved the Oscar for this film. What a marvelous actor! I wish he were more commercially palatable.

Thank you to my friend Kate in Minneapolis for recommending the picture, I'm sorry I took 15 years to act on her advice.

This is a very smart movie. :)

Jeffrey McAndrew
author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"

My Left Foot = Stunning
I will admit, I am one of the most picky film reviewers that has ever lived, and I have only ever given three films in my life a straight five out of five stars, however this film comes out as a four and a half out of five. Defiantly one of the most powerful films I have ever witnessed, and is on my top ten greatest films of all time list. Daniel Day-Lewis, who I have to admit I did not really cared for until I saw this film, gives a powerful tour de force of a performance, that shifts you from tears to joy and back again in only a few short minutes. However Day-Lewis is not the one who shines out above the rest, that is done by Brenda Fricker, in a stunningly beautiful performance, one of the greatest I have ever seen done by a female actor, both Fricker and Day-Lewis did above and beyond in their roles, and most defiantly deserved their Oscars. The direction is also dead on, along with the script, overall the entire film is an experience of a life time, by far the best movies of 1989, and one of the greatest achievement in film of all time.

Day-Lewis is Incredible in this Inspiring True Story...
Admittedly, when I first saw this movie many years ago, I thought that the director had hired an actor with cerebral palsy to play Christy Brown! That's how good Daniel Day-Lewis is in this film. Taking absolutely nothing from the rest of the movie's cast, but I became a fan of this great actor almost from the opening scene. (I read somewhere that during filming, Day-Lewis spent the entire three-month shoot confined to his weelchair - even off camera! Talk about focus, concentration and dedication.)

To say that this film did justice to the life and times of Christy Brown would be an understatement. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Fans of Peter Greenaway's arch and ornate films (The Draughtsman's Contract, Drowning by Numbers) may enjoy The Serpent's Kiss. A young Dutch landscape artist named Chrome (Ewan MacGregor) is hired by a homely but rich landowner named Smithers (Pete Postlethwaite, In the Name of the Father, The Usual Suspects) to turn his overgrown estate into a masterpiece of topiary and hedge mazes. But unbeknownst to Smithers, Chrome is fulfilling the will of Smithers's ardent enemy (Richard E. Grant, Withnail & I), who hopes to bankrupt the wealthy man and seduce his beautiful wife (Greta Scacchi). When Chrome falls under the spell of Smithers's enigmatic daughter, all plans go awry. The strong cast wallows entertainingly in this mix of jealousy, decadence, intriguing visuals, Machiavellian schemes, and heaving bosoms, with Grant performing with his usual lurid gusto. The sumptuous Restoration-era costumes enhance this meditation on art versus nature. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Serpent's Desire
It seems that our fine Mr. McGregor has a terrible propensity for duplicity. One minute he's starring in big-budget Hollywood productions (Moulin Rouge/ Star Wars), the next he appears in little unknown art house films such as The Serpent's Kiss, which no one saw along with Nora and failed terribly at the box office.
As far as The Serpent's Kiss is concerned, I wish more people knew about this film. Not only is it well acted by a well assembled all-star cast (such notables as Greta Scacchi, Pete Postlethwaite, and Richard E. Grant), but is beautifully photographed and the plot is sure to thrill you - if you can sit still long enough to pay attention.
I almost gave up on this film solely due to the irritating nature of Ewan's poor Dutch accent, but as the film continued I was relieved to discover that the accent was supposed to be that way due to the nature of the character (believe me, I was very relieved - for a while there I thought Ewan was getting lazy and had stopped trying).
This film also manages to make gardening seem interesting - and erotic even, as the sexual tension between a few of the characters thickens very, very quickly.
The DVD sadly is disappointing as there are no behind-the-scenes special features which is what I half bought the thing for. So you are buying the CD for the movie alone.
This film is entertaining and beautiful, and Ewan is just gorgeous in it, but not his best work.

"A garden is a celebration of art's triumph over nature."
"The Serpent's Kiss" is a costume drama set in England at the end of the 17th century. Landscape designer Meneer Chrome (Ewan Macgregor) is employed to create a garden for Thomas Smithers (Pete Postlethwaite). Wife, Juliana Smithers (Greta Scacchi) has a bit of a wandering eye, and so far her eyes have roamed towards her foppish cousin, James Fitzmaurice (Richard E Grant). Fitzmaurice once courted Juliana, but he lost her to the wealthier Smithers. Fitzmaurice is responsible for Smithers employing Chrome, and it seems that this is all part of a shady plot of revenge.

A wilderness currently exists to the rear of the family mansion, and Chrome is employed to tame this wilderness and to design and create a spectacular garden. While planning the garden, Chrome becomes involved with daughter Thea Smithers. Thea (Carmen Chaplin), who also calls herself Anna, is a strange creature. She's apparently considered quite mad by her family. She's obsessed by Metaphysical poet Andrew Marvell, and quotes lines from "To His Coy Mistress."

I read several professional reviews that compared "The Serpent's Kiss" to Peter Greenaway's film "The Draughtsman's Contract." I see no such similarity beyond the period in which the films are set, and the fact that garden designs are involved. "The Serpent's Kiss" is really a rather silly, luke-warm love story, plonked onto the top of an implausible revenge plot. The villain--James Fitzmaurice--isn't villainous enough, and the plan of revenge is far-fetched, tepid and unlikely. Surely there are better ways to enact revenge upon the husband of one's lover than to make him build a really expensive garden. The planning and creation of the garden just seems like a pretty way to delve into the plot and create the false impression that we are enjoying authenticity here. And yes, to be honest, the creation of the garden is one of the more interesting aspects of the film. Other fascinating tidbits here include Thea's so-called medical treatments (including leeches) and the supernatural elements within the film. There is a deeper meaning to the story, but it seems to be created as rather an afterthought. I really wanted to like the film more for the slivers of originality it displayed, but unfortunately, overall the film was bogged down by mediocrity and the tepid love story--displacedhuman

Nature vs Man...I wish!
This is a bad film. There are many fine actors in it, people who have made mediocre films quite memorable. But they cannot salvage this turkey. The plot is obvious, the sets cheap and flimsy, the language never convincing, and the dreadful, tedious, and completely uninteresting Carmen Chaplin makes a overwhelmingly telegraphed romance not only unbelievable but implausible.

Nice costumes, but this is a lame film, never really addressing its "theme" and containing all sorts of mysterious and silly developments that are never utilized. Maybe it would have been good if they left all the missing stuff in, but for a boring movie it sure felt rushed. About the worst thing one could say about it....both way too long and not nearly long enough.

Justifiably unknown.

Excellent
Nature vs. man's control over nature, the individual vs. social propriety, plans vs. outcome... This movie was fantastic and I'm now interested in other works this director has been involved in. This movie was beautiful, meaningful and well executed. There are those who consider the pace of this movie a negative (slow, dragging, etc.) without realizing the beauty of this movie couldn't be executed any "faster" without ruining the essence. If you have slightly more patience than the average MTV-raised 15-25 yr. old you will be richly rewarded by watching this film. I thought Ewan McGregor's performance was average with hints of brilliance and all the other actors were very well suited for their roles. I give the film 4 stars objectively and 5 stars personally because it spoke so personally to me.

Viewed as a snapshot in time: 4 stars; else: 2 stars
This film is an interesting study of the forces of human nature, as well as human's desire and (vain) effort to force their will onto nature itself.

It's plot, however, keeps pace with nature - most of the time developing at a glacial pace - with only brief moments of faster development.

Similar to tree, without leaves after the winter, the movie starts out in a worn down environment, holding promises of an interesting future to come. Like twigs growing buds, the initial characters are setup and are slowly developing, reminiscent of growing leaves. A brief blossom displays a certain type of beauty, only to be eradicated by the forces of nature.

Eventually echoes of autumn settle in, with some of the protagonists falling like autumn leaves. Yet, on the other hand, new shades and colors reveal themselves in and for the remaining protagonists during this time of re-evaluation of their values; ultimately leading to a much more harmonious existence. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Fantastic film. Very poor DVD transfer.
This is an amazingly good movie, and film performances don't get any more compelling than those delivered here by Daniel Day-Lewis and Brenda Fricker. Day-Lewis's portrayal of Christy Brown and his handicap is so convincing that it is difficult to believe that Day-Lewis is not actually stricken with Cerebral Palsy. But his portrayal, like the Irish writer and artist he portrays, gets far beyond the physical challenges of the disease. He conveys a warmth, humor, and human intensity that avoids cloying sentimentality. In terms of the movie content, I can only echo the superlatives of the previous reviewers. The film itself deserves 5+ stars.

Unfortunately, the DVD transfer is not what I had hoped for. The picture is not noticeably better than on VHS. It is not particularly clear or vivid, and the red hues bleed a bit (like on an aging VHS tape). Perhaps most distracting, there are specks of dirt visible on the image (particularly in light areas, like sky), and there are dust and lint artifacts throughout the transfer. I don't know if all of these flaws were part of the original, master copy, but it looks like they just made a quick transfer from a film copy they had handy. It's a shame that such a fine movie, which won 2 Academy Awards, did not merit more care in the transfer to DVD.

In short, this a triumphant movie that merits seeing (and owning). But if you have a VHS copy in working order, you won't get much added value from buying the DVD.

This is not a Movie..this is a LIFE !!
...First , i have to admitt that i've never ever heared about this movie bofore one night i was just watching the T.v and there it was..and i guess i was lucky...i didn't feel like watching a movie i felt like beeing a witness of that man's life...as if i was a member of his family or even as if i was him....Daniel day lewis' great performance makes you feel all the non-spoken feelings...personally, daniel day lewis became my favourite actor since i've seen that beautifull movie....the movie is about life so it's full of joy as it's full of sadness, you'll smile as you'll tear. very senstive and heart catching....the movie is divided ito chapters..which are the chapters of the autobiography of the writer ..in each a portrait by painting and by words for every one who did impact the writer...the tender mother, the furious father who held unshowed tenderness and more..........if you are browsing to buy it...do it with out thinking.. :))

This Will Warm Your Heart!!
This movie will warm your heart. Daniel Day Lewis is extraordinary in this role of Christy Brown. In a day and age when those with special needs were thrown aside as rejects of society, this film is a very sensitive portrayal of the immense courage needed to forge one's way. Lewis deserved the Oscar for this film. What a marvelous actor! I wish he were more commercially palatable.

Thank you to my friend Kate in Minneapolis for recommending the picture, I'm sorry I took 15 years to act on her advice.

This is a very smart movie. :)

Jeffrey McAndrew
author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"

My Left Foot = Stunning
I will admit, I am one of the most picky film reviewers that has ever lived, and I have only ever given three films in my life a straight five out of five stars, however this film comes out as a four and a half out of five. Defiantly one of the most powerful films I have ever witnessed, and is on my top ten greatest films of all time list. Daniel Day-Lewis, who I have to admit I did not really cared for until I saw this film, gives a powerful tour de force of a performance, that shifts you from tears to joy and back again in only a few short minutes. However Day-Lewis is not the one who shines out above the rest, that is done by Brenda Fricker, in a stunningly beautiful performance, one of the greatest I have ever seen done by a female actor, both Fricker and Day-Lewis did above and beyond in their roles, and most defiantly deserved their Oscars. The direction is also dead on, along with the script, overall the entire film is an experience of a life time, by far the best movies of 1989, and one of the greatest achievement in film of all time.

Day-Lewis is Incredible in this Inspiring True Story...
Admittedly, when I first saw this movie many years ago, I thought that the director had hired an actor with cerebral palsy to play Christy Brown! That's how good Daniel Day-Lewis is in this film. Taking absolutely nothing from the rest of the movie's cast, but I became a fan of this great actor almost from the opening scene. (I read somewhere that during filming, Day-Lewis spent the entire three-month shoot confined to his weelchair - even off camera! Talk about focus, concentration and dedication.)

To say that this film did justice to the life and times of Christy Brown would be an understatement. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

One of the best Films-Ever!
I saw this first in 1975 and still remember the haunting scenes with Rita Tushingham. She plays sensitively yet without maudlin excess as the young single woman pregnant with her Jamaican boyfriend's baby, supported by her local friends including a Gay neighbor. An honest view of life in 60's Manchester,as well as the film debut of an excellent actress.

Kitchen Sink, Glistening and Brilliant
GIRL WITH GREEN EYES is a Woodfall film, one of those slice-of-life-in-the-UK pictures produced by Tony Richardson in the 60's, Britain's answer to the French New Wave. All are generally worthwhile views; this one is marvelous, with wonderful dialogue by Edna O'Brien from her novel, THE LONELY GIRL. Frequently laugh-out-loud funny and also quietly touching, not the easiest combination to pull off, but managed beautifully here. Rita Tushingham and Lynn Redgrave are simple and simply perfect as the country girls trying to make a go of life in Dublin, while Peter Finch strikes the proper note of bruised, reluctant romanticism as the object of Rita's pursuit. Almost forty years old, GIRL's as fresh as paint, could have been made yesterday. Tonic, rich and rewarding.

Wonderful artifact from the mid-Sixties
This is a very stylish story of a young Irish girl's affair with an older man. Part sad, part whimsical, and all around very refreshing, the film winds up being more light and fun than dark and tragic, as one might expect.

The film is wonderfully photographed in glorious black and white, both in a documentary format and a dash of a somewhat "New Wave" style. It's an interesting mixture, anyway. In fact, the entire film appears to have been shot on location in Dublin and the surrounding countryside, lending even further creditbility to the documentray styling.

The well-written dialogue is full of engaging double-meanings, and may remind one of "The Prisoner", as the lines can be both cryptic, yet very deep and telling. The actors all deliver, too.

The film is very much a product of its time, and captures the feeling of what it must have been like to be a youth in 1963 Dublin. It very much conveys the atmosphere of a "slice of life" during the era, as the young girl comes of age.

This is a little-known gem that aspiring film students may find inspirational. Lynn Redgrave's debut film. ... Read more

Description

In Trojan Eddie, acclaimed director Gillies MacKinnon and award winning writer Billy Roche create a strange compelling world on the edge of society – where everyone wants something they can’t possibly have.The New York Post calls Stephen Rea’s portrayal of the title character "spellbinding," and heralds Richard Harris’ performance " as frightening as it is hypnotic." ... Read more