Adam & Paul (2004)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Leonard Abrahamson

Writer:

Mark O'Halloran (writer)

Release Date:

August 2004 (Ireland)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Character Name In Title

Awards:

7 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

Tom Murphy	...	Paul
Mark O'Halloran	...	Adam
Gavin Dowdall	...	Freezer Boy 1
Luke Keeler	...	Freezer Boy 2
Michael McElhatton	...	Voice of Martin
Laurie Morton	...	Woman on Bus 1
Sylvia Murray	...	Woman on Bus 2
Gary Egan	...	Georgie
Dylan Grimes	...	Georgie Jnr
Shelby Clarke	...	Girl with plaits
Deirdre Molloy	...	Marian
Mary Murray	...	Orla
Paul Roe	...	Wayne
Thomas Farrell	...	Sleeping Bag Boy
Pierre Rodgers	...	Man in car

Runtime:

83 min

Country:

Ireland

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Ireland:15 | UK:15

Company:

Element Films

Trivia:

The two lead actors, Tom Murphy who plays Paul (the short one) and Mark O'Halloran who plays Adam (the tall one), were told by the local Garda ( Irish Police) to leave the set as the Garda thought they were real junkies looking to steal items from the set.

Movie Connections:

Spin off "Prosperity" (2007)

Excellent. A window into life as a heroin addict in Dublin.

Adam and Paul are two likable losers. They wake up sick and need to get some money together to score with. As they get more strung out, their objective becomes more difficult and the people they meet only hamper them further.

I'm a recovering addict myself, and as such I recognised the characters in this film and that made me giggle. I thought it was well acted and directed. Its portrayal of a users life was so spot on, I think the writer must have had a habit at some point or at least lived in that world as one for some time. Saying that, its worth mentioning that not all addicts turn into losers. I never stole or ripped off anyone. Smack is so cheap now that its possible to keep a substantial habit together on even a warehouse workers's pay and I have friends that have very good jobs that were in the same boat. You'd be surprised! Keeping your life together is dull though and no-one wants to watch a film about that.

I don't think this film has any deep message, other than 'a heroin addicts life isn't nice' but it has some good laughs and is very entertaining.

The only film I can make a comparison to is Trainspotting, but its very different from that and in my opinion better (Trainspotting was a bit too trippy). I hope it does just as well at the box office.

I can't wait to get the DVD!