Red Roses and Petrol (2003)

A dysfunctional Irish family gathers after the death of their patriarch.

Director:

Tamar Simon Hoffs

Writers:

Tamar Simon Hoffs (story), Joseph O'Connor (play),

Stars:

Malcolm McDowell, Olivia Tracey, Heather Juergensen

Cast

Credited cast:
Malcolm McDowell	...	Enda Doyle
Olivia Tracey	...	Moya Doyle
Heather Juergensen	...	Medbh Doyle
Max Beesley	...	Johnny Doyle
Greg Ellis	...	Tom Ivres
Susan Lynch	...	Catherine Doyle
Catherine Farrell	...	Helen
Sean Lawlor	...	Prof. Thompson
Robert Easton	...	Old Geezer
Aubrey Morris	...	Father Morton
Arie Verveen	...	Doc
Timothy V. Murphy	...	Eamonn
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Zola Glassman	...	Young Medbh
Kathryn Joosten	...	Nurse
Lou Mulford	...	Neighbor Woman

Storyline

Amidst a haze of cigarette smoke and uneaten food, the family of Enda Doyle gathers in Dublin for his wake. A university librarian, poet and rascal, he has left behind a trail of unresolved issues, a dysfunctional family, and a disturbing mystery. Enda's dazed widow, Moya, anxiously prepares for the next day's funeral with her still stuck-at-home, twenty-something daughter Medbh lending a loving hand. Moya's desperation to keep her family together and Medbh's sharp tongue provide the backdrop for the arrival of headstrong older sister Catherine from New York with her handsome but awkward boyfriend Tom in tow. They doubt that London-based Johnny, the angry black sheep brother of the family, will even appear at all. Sorting through boxes of Enda's books, the women discover a cache of self-recorded video diaries that might shed light on who Enda Doyle really was and some of the secrets that he was never able to share with them. At the funeral, the daughters see a distraught young woman ...

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Plot Keywords:

funeral | family gathering | book | secret | fire | 

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Taglines:

Death brings families closer together...or does it?

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language including some sexual references

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 November 2003 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$350,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Abú Media, Rock 'n Read Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Malcolm McDowell and Max Beesley enjoyed playing practical jokes on the set.

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Connections

Featured in O Lucky Malcolm! (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Drunken Lullabies"
Performed by Flogging Molly

User Reviews

Don't miss this one...

I caught this film at a festival some time ago and was very impressed. Being a smaller budget movie I was surprised by how well done it was, both production and performance wise. visually the film has a dark appeal that really reflects the theme of a family coping with the loss of a loved one. Director Tamar Simon Hoffs accomplished the challenging task of turning a play into a film, and created a wonderful on screen dynamic while not compromising the integrity of the plays theme. Another aspect of the film that I enjoyed was it's ability to balance dark comedic elements while maintaining a strong message, something many movies fail to achieve. Although it may not have elaborate sets and an abundance of A list Hollywood actors, Red Roses and Petrol is a great film and shouldn't be missed.