Mickybo and Me (2004)

The film tells the story of two boys who become friends at the start of the Troubles in 1970. The boys share an obsession with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, with the consequence that they run away to Australia.

Director:

Terry Loane

Writers:

Terry Loane (screenplay), Owen McCafferty (play)

Stars:

John Joe McNeill, Niall Wright, Julie Walters

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
John Joe McNeill	...	Mickybo
Niall Wright	...	Jonjo
Julie Walters	...	Mickybo's Ma
Ciarán Hinds	...	Jonjo's Da
Adrian Dunbar	...	Mickybo's Da
Gina McKee	...	Jonjo's Ma
Susan Lynch	...	Torch Woman
Laine Megaw	...	Auntie Rita
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Barbara Adair	...	Elderly Wife
Hannah Carnegie	...	Niamh
Patricia Carson	...	Annie
Brendan Caskey	...	Gank
Charlie Clarke	...	Fartface
Maria Connolly	...	Travel Agent Lady
Chris Corrigan	...	Policeman 1

Storyline

Based on the play of the same name the film tells the story of two boys who become friends at the start of the Troubles in 1970. The boys share an obsession with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, with the consequence that they run away to Australia.

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Plot Keywords:

children | belfast | based on play

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Taglines:

We all need heroes

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and brief sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

UIP [ie]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 March 2005 (UK)

Also Known As:

Mickybo & Me

Filming Locations:

Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£49,475 (UK) (1 April 2005)

Gross:

£172,336 (UK) (1 April 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, StudioCanal, Working Title Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

The 'Chopper' bike that features does not have a 'gear stick' in the center of the frame meaning that is one of the Mk3 chopper bikes released in 2004, not an original one in keeping with the time period of the movie.

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Quotes

Mickybo's Da: Anyway, he's had nothing new for ages.
Mickybo's Ma: Aye, I know how he feels.
Mickybo's Da: Didn't I get you those washing gloves you wanted.

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Connections

References Give My Head Peace (1998)

User Reviews

Poignant and funny

The story is basically that of two young boys in Belfast in the summer of 1970 who come from opposite sides of the sectarian divide. Obsessed with the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, they decide to run away to Australia and leave their problems behind.

I've seen this film twice and would happily watch it again. The two young main characters, Jonjo and Mickybo, are wonderfully cast and the story dwells on their friendship and their need to escape their lives rather than being just another film about the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

The cast is excellent, Adrian Dunbar being a standout as the wastrel father. The film is definitely a crowd pleaser but the story is good enough to avoid being corny or sentimental.