Breakfast on Pluto (2005)

In the 1970s, a young trans woman, Patrick "Kitten" Braden, comes of age by leaving her Irish town for London, in part to look for her mother and in part because her gender identity is beyond the town's understanding.

Director:

Neil Jordan

Writers:

Neil Jordan, Pat McCabe (as Patrick McCabe)

Stars:

Cillian Murphy, Morgan Jones, Eva Birthistle

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 6 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cillian Murphy	...	Patrick 'Kitten' Braden
Morgan Jones	...	Building Site Worker
Eva Birthistle	...	Eily Bergin
Liam Neeson	...	Father Liam
Mary Coughlan	...	Housekeeper
Conor McEvoy	...	Young Patrick Braden
Ruth McCabe	...	Ma Braden
Charlene McKenna	...	Caroline Braden
Seamus Reilly	...	Lawrence
Peter Owens	...	Butcher
Emmet Lawlor McHugh	...	Young Irwin
Bianca O'Connor	...	Young Charlie
Paraic Breathnach	...	Benny Feely
Pat McCabe	...	Peepers Egan / Schoolmaster (as Patrick McCabe)
Owen Roe	...	Dean

Storyline

A young transwoman, Patrick "Kitten" Braden, comes of age in the 1970s. She leaves her Irish town, in part to look for her mother and in part because her transgender nature is beyond the town's understanding. She's taken in by a rock band, falls for the lead singer, has brushes with the IRA, is arrested by the London police, works in a peep show, and poses as a survey researcher for the phone company. Throughout, her nationality and her nature put her at great risk. In her search for her mother, she makes surprising discoveries of friendship and family. But, will she survive?

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Plot Keywords:

1970s | transgender | transgender protagonist | based on novel | kitten | 

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Taglines:

Same world, different planet!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality, language, some violence and drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Classics [United States]

Country:

Ireland UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 January 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Desayuno en Plutón

Filming Locations:

Ardmore Studios, Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$33,279 (USA) (18 November 2005)

Gross:

$828,699 (USA) (24 March 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pathé Pictures International, Bórd Scannán na hÉireann, Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although she plays his mother in the film, Eva Birthistle is only two years older than Cillian Murphy.

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Goofs

A copy of the board game Scotland Yard by Ravensburger is in the stack of games inside of Billy's mother's caravan (mobile home). That game was originally produced in 1983.

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Quotes

Ma Braden: I'll walk you up and down the streets before the whole town in disgrace!
Young Patrick Braden: Promise?

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Crazy Credits

With thanks to the people of Callan Co., Kilkenny

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Connections

Referenced in Supertwink (2006)

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Soundtracks

Me & My Arrow
(1971)
Composed by Harry Nilsson
Performed by Harry Nilsson
© Dunbar Music Inc./Six Continents Music Publishing Inc./Blackwood Music Inc./Golden Syrup Music
By kind permission of Warner/Chappell Music Limited
(p) Recorded prior to 1972 Sony BMG Music Entertainment Limited
Licensed courtesy of Sony BMG (UK) Commercial Markets

User Reviews

Extraordinary film from Mr. Jordan

I saw this on 10/2 at the NYFF-we got last minute tickets right up front. Neil Jordan was present at Q&A-an absolute treat. The film was simply wonderful from beginning to end--charming, emotionally satisfying, delicately nuanced and very powerful. The acting was sublime, as in all Jordan films. Cillian Murphy is so impossibly gorgeous and yet so fearless and skillful an actor, who uses his physicality to his supreme advantage. The Irish gang of three-Gleeson, Neeson and Rea, who usually appear in Jordan's films, were superb and touching as usual. There were wonderful casting touches--Bryan Ferry as a sicko, Gaivn Friday as a gay rockabilly, etc. The film was audacious, swerving mightily between broad comedy and grim tragedy. The most arresting elements were the amazing customes and the choice of 60s and 70s songs, something Jordan discussed in detail during the Q&A.

I urge all cineastes to catch this one-you will be amazed and deeply satisfied.