Nora (2000)

In 1904, in Dublin, James Joyce chats up Nora Barnacle, a hotel maid recently come from Galway. She enchants him with her frank, direct and uninhibited manner, and before long, he's ... See full summary »

Director:

Pat Murphy

Writers:

Brenda Maddox (book), Pat Murphy,

Stars:

Susan Lynch, Andrew Scott, Vinnie McCabe

3 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Susan Lynch	...	Nora Barnacle
Andrew Scott	...	Michael Bodkin
Vinnie McCabe	...	Uncle Tommy (as Vincent McCabe)
Veronica Duffy	...	Annie Barnacle
Ewan McGregor	...	James Joyce
Aedin Moloney	...	Eva Joyce
Pauline McLynn	...	Miss Kennedy
Neilí Conroy	...	Maid
Darragh Kelly	...	Cosgrave
Alan Devine	...	Gogarty
Peter McDonald	...	Stanislaus Joyce
Paul Hickey	...	Curran
Kate O'Toole	...	Miss Delahunty
Martin Murphy	...	George Russell
Karl Scully	...	John McCormack

Storyline

In 1904, in Dublin, James Joyce chats up Nora Barnacle, a hotel maid recently come from Galway. She enchants him with her frank, direct and uninhibited manner, and before long, he's convinced her to come with him to Trieste, where he has a job with Berlitz. Over time, Nora pulls him through phobias, tolerates his drinking, takes in his brother Stan, and bests Joyce at 'the writin' game' to bring him back to Italy from Dublin where he's gone to open a cinema. But his sexual jealousy threatens the relationship and sends her back to Galway with the children. Is there any way to tame Jim's green-eyed monster? And, will the lad ever get his stories published?

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Plot Keywords:

italy | trieste | phobia | love | 1900s | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some strong sexuality and related dialogue

Details

Country:

Ireland UK Italy Germany

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

21 April 2000 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Nora - Dichtung und Leidenschaft

Filming Locations:

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$12,297 (USA) (4 May 2001)

Gross:

$12,297 (USA) (4 May 2001)

Company Credits

Production Co:

GAM, Natural Nylon Entertainment, Road Movies Filmproduktion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[After the climax of their first date]
Nora: Do you have a hankie, Mr. Joyce?

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Crazy Credits

'Dubliners' was finally published in 1914. James Joyce is recognised as one of the world's great writers. He and Nora spent the rest of their lives together.

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Connections

Features The Colleen Bawn (1911)

User Reviews

Literary Genius and His Earthy Muse

James Joyce (Ewan McGregor) finds his spiritual and sexual equal and partner in life in Nora Barnacle (Susan Lynch) while a young man in Dublin. Although he is a university student and she a maid at the local hotel, the two become lovers against the advice of Joyce's friends who lust after Nora themselves. Joyce convinces Nora to join him in Italy where he accepted a teaching position. The two begin their lives together living beyond their means, dressing fashionably, and fighting while raising their children. Nora is anything but a quiet professor's wife, she is the life force that motivates him. Joyce, one of the major literary geniuses of the 20th century, is revealed through the film that explores the volatile relationship between the couple through Nora's story.

Susan Lynch won the Best Actress award at the Dublin Film Festival for her performance as the earthy muse whose presence was as much a torture to Joyce as inspiration. Ewan McGregor, in his first adult leading man role, proves he has matured as an actor of solid talent and sensitivity in his role as the jealous, insecure, yet brilliant writer.

Shot on location in Ireland and Italy, Nora is a small independent film produced by McGregor's company, Natural Nylon, and likely to be overlooked by most audiences. However, if solid acting, adult story lines. and turn-of-the-century costume biopics are your cup of tea, this video is worth the price of purchase.