The Playboys (1992)

A young woman, Tara Maguire (Robin Wright) scandalizes her provincial Irish village in the 1950s by having a baby out of a wedlock, and refusing to name the father. She has a rare beauty ... See full summary »

Director:

Gillies MacKinnon

Writers:

Shane Connaughton, Kerry Crabbe

Stars:

Albert Finney, Aidan Quinn, Robin Wright

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Albert Finney	...	Constable Brendan Hegarty
Aidan Quinn	...	Tom Casey
Robin Wright	...	Tara Maguire
Milo O'Shea	...	Freddie
Alan Devlin	...	Malone
Niamh Cusack	...	Brigid Maguire
Ian McElhinney	...	Joe Cassidy
Stella McCusker	...	Rachel
Niall Buggy	...	Denzil
Anna Livia Ryan	...	Vonnie
Adrian Dunbar	...	Mick
Lorcan Cranitch	...	Ryan / John Joe
Aine Ni Mhuiri	...	Mrs. Smith the Blind Lady
Doreen Hepburn	...	Nualla Ryan
Kilian McKenna	...	Sean

Storyline

A young woman, Tara Maguire (Robin Wright) scandalizes her provincial Irish village in the 1950s by having a baby out of a wedlock, and refusing to name the father. She has a rare beauty and every man in town desires her, especially Sergeant Hegarty (Albert Finney). The arrival of a dramatic troupe stirs things up even more, especially when she falls in love with one f the "Playboys", Tom Casey (Aidan Quinn).

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Plot Keywords:

love | circus | sin | ireland | jealousy | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for scenes of sensuality and brief, strong violence

Details

Country:

USA UK Ireland

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 April 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Playboys

Filming Locations:

Redhills Village, County Cavan, Ireland

Box Office

Gross:

$4,906,900 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Green Umbrella Ltd., Samuel Goldwyn Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The extracts from the traveling players' production of "Othello" contain several parallels with the main storyline.

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Connections

References Gone with the Wind (1939)

User Reviews

A very beautiful Irish setting, a most somber Irish tale

It's 1957 and the setting is a small village in Ireland. Tara (Robin Wright Penn) lives with her sister and runs a tailoring/dressmaking shop. She has recently set the local tongues to wagging by having a baby out of wedlock and not naming the father. The town priest is encouraging her to look at Brendan (Albert Finney), a local police officer madly in love with her, as a possible husband. But, Tara is not in love with him and won't consider it. A second suitor actually commits suicide for the love of her, it is supposed. Only when a troupe of actors comes to town does Tara meet someone who interests her. That would be Tom (Aidan Quinn), a most friendly and engaging gentleman who stars in the troupe's productions. However, Brendan is most displeased to have a rival and thwarts Tom's attentions as best he can. Will Tara be able to find happiness? The Irish setting is beautiful, as no one can disguise the loveliness of the country. However, the story here is most somber. Life in this village is restrictive and sobering, with hardly a break, for anyone, from the harsh realities of life. Penn's Tara is a very worthy lady, who defies the odds to keep her son. Finney is wonderfully scary as the policeman who hounds Tara, day and night, to accept his hand. By contrast, Quinn's Tom is a breath of fresh air, with his good spirits and funny manners. If you wish to see Ireland, and can put up with a story of a depressing nature, this is a good view. For, although the tale is sad, it does have its moments and the scenery is a knockout. Just do not expect a mirthful tale, as depicted on the handsome box cover.