Mickybo and Me (2004)

Director:

Terry Loane

Writers:

Terry Loane (screenplay)
Owen McCafferty (play)

Release Date:

25 March 2005 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

We all need heroes

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Children | Belfast | Based On Play

Awards:

1 win & 5 nominations

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
Brian Devlin	...	Rifle Stall Owner
Gerry Doherty	...	Policeman 2
James Doran	...	Barman
Anthony Finigan	...	Barney
Dan Gordon	...	Preacher
Conor Grimes	...	Policeman 3
Niall Hanna	...	Shoe Shop Boy
Vincent Higgins	...	Con
Ashley Hillis	...	Mary
Gemma Hillis	...	Dee
B.J. Hogg	...	Sydney
Paul Jennings	...	Security Guard 2
Tim Loane	...	Barman Present Day
Michael McElhatton	...	Mechanic
Paula McFetridge	...	Shoe Shop Boys Mum
Christina McQuillan	...	Roisín
Andy Moore	...	Policeman 4
Antoinette Morelli	...	Chippy Van Attendant
J.J. Murphy	...	Elderly Husband
Paul Newman	...	Butch Cassidy (archive footage)
Sheelagh O'Kane	...	Nosey Neighbour
Owen O'Neill	...	Adult Mickybo
Robert Redford	...	The Sundance Kid (archive footage)
Martin Rogan	...	Security Guard 1
Pascal Scott	...	Garda
Paddy Scully	...	Bank Teller
Bronagh Taggart	...	Fusco's Ice-Cream Waitress

Also Known As:

Jonjo Mickybo (Ireland: English title) (working title)
Mickybo & Me (Ireland: English title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and brief sexuality.

Runtime:

UK:95 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Spain:13 | Singapore:PG | USA:R | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Australia

Company:

Working Title Films

Goofs:

Anachronisms: 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.

Quotes:

[repeated line]
Mickybo: Beazer!

Movie Connections:

References "Give My Head Peace" (1998)

Excellent

Yes, what a great film. The only film I've ever seen that has prompted me to do a Google search and post a message!! The young actors do a fine job, supported by the big names and the great scenery. Nostalgic yes, but realistic also.

I thought it was good how they dealt with the Northern Irish situation without making it feature in every scene as some have done. I noticed religion was only mentioned once at the beginning, but the characters aren't defined by it. The scene towards the end of the handover at the border is very true, as an outsider coming into Northern Ireland I have seen how some perceive it as akin to the Berlin wall, whereas in reality it is quite insignificant. I think both boys act in a way that reflects the way their fathers treat them, you can see some of Mickybo's father in the way he tells off Jonjo on the stairs in the old house. And later, Jonjo reflects on his fathers affair and how he doesn't wish to return home to it, (after the hay fire).

While not taking sides, I think the ending summed up how the problems of Northern Ireland have continued, the way friendships change after tragic events, the facts become distorted (who stole the bike), and peer pressure dictating who you associate with.

Well done to film team.

Regards, Dan.