The Commitments (1991)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Alan Parker

Writers (WGA):

Roddy Doyle (novel)
Dick Clement (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

28 August 1991 (France)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Music

Tagline:

They Had Absolutely Nothing. But They Were Willing To Risk It All.

Plot:

The travails of Jimmy Rabbitte to form the "World's Hardest Working Band," The Commitments, and bring soul music to the people of Dublin, Ireland.

Plot Keywords:

Elvis | Irish | Elvis Presley | Fictional Band | Band

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 10 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Robert Arkins	...	Jimmy Rabbitte
Michael Aherne	...	Steven Clifford, Piano
Angeline Ball	...	Imelda Quirke, Backup Singer
Maria Doyle Kennedy	...	Natalie Murphy, Backup Singer (as Maria Doyle)
Dave Finnegan	...	Mickah Wallace, Drums
Bronagh Gallagher	...	Bernie McGloughlin, Backup Singer
Félim Gormley	...	Dean Fay, Sax
Glen Hansard	...	Outspan Foster, Guitar
Dick Massey	...	Billy Mooney, Drums (quit)
Johnny Murphy	...	Joey 'The Lips' Fagan, Trumpet
Ken McCluskey	...	Derek Scully, Bass (as Kenneth McCluskey)
Andrew Strong	...	Deco Cuffe
Colm Meaney	...	Jimmy Rabbitte, Sr.
Anne Kent	...	Mrs. Rabbitte
Andrea Corr	...	Sharon Rabbitte

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

Ireland | UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:L | Canada:PG | Australia:M | Finland:K-8 | Germany:12 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Ardmore Studios - Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland

Company:

Beacon Communications

Trivia:

The performers first had to show musical talent, then they were given parts for which to read. After they were cast, there was a very long rehearsal period both for the music and the dramatic scenes.

Goofs:

Factual errors: When "The Commitments" play in their last gig, there is a big brass accompaniment. They are supposed just two. It's best heard during "In the Midnight Hour": there's a tenor saxophone from nowhere playing.

Quotes:

[Joey and Dean are rehearsing apart from the rest of the band]
Joey: Are you doing what I told you? Are you thinking of that reed as a woman's nipple?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Boys from County Clare (2003)

Soundtrack:

Mustang Sally

Excellent story about the rise and fall of Irish "saviors of soul".

Alan Parker's brilliant directing effort on THE COMMITMENTS really shines. More than an entertaining spectacle, it has a whole lot of influence on the soul music circuit. Shots of Dublin city life are nicely photographed. The musical acts are extremely well talented and well done, if only the occasional dialogue breaks didn't interrupt the awesome sound. There could've been some more new tunes instead of old ones, but it's amazing to discover the fictional band's lead singer pull them off out of his lungs. Phenomenal! At least you can try to find the soundtrack album. One thing stands out the best: the casting. We need more of today's movies to do the same thing: to provide creative acting talents. The musical genre of modern Hollywood needed something like this to keep it afloat. Highly recommended!