Nora (2000)

User Rating:

5.9/10   

Director:

Pat Murphy

Writers:

Brenda Maddox (book)
Pat Murphy (writer)

Release Date:

21 April 2000 (Ireland)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

In 1904, in Dublin, James Joyce chats up Nora Barnacle, a hotel maid recently come from Galway. She enchants him with her frank...

Plot Keywords:

Dublin | Italy | Phobia | Trieste | James Joyce

Awards:

2 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

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

Also Known As:

Nora - Die leidenschaftliche Liebe von James Joyce (Germany)

MPAA:

Rated R for some strong sexuality and related dialogue.

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

Ireland | UK | Italy | Germany

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Finland:K-15 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Iceland:12 | Australia:MA (cable rating) | Germany:12 (w) | New Zealand:M | Spain:13 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Company:

GAM

Quotes:

James Joyce: You are my only love.

Movie Connections:

Features Rory O'More (1911)

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.