Black Irish (2007)

A teenage boy longs to win the attention of his emotionally distant father.

Director:

Brad Gann

Writer:

Brad Gann

Stars:

Michael Angarano, Brendan Gleeson, Tom Guiry

10 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Angarano	...	Cole McKay
Brendan Gleeson	...	Desmond McKay
Tom Guiry	...	Terry McKay
Melissa Leo	...	Margaret McKay
Emily VanCamp	...	Kathleen McKay
Michael Rispoli	...	Joey
Francis Capra	...	Anthony
Finn Curtin	...	Coach Mahoney
Scott Winters	...	Doctor
Frank T. Wells	...	Father Magruder
Wilson Better	...	Graves
Bonnie Dennison	...	Maria
Michael McCarthy	...	Maria's Father
Joanna Herrington	...	Maria's Mother
Kevin Chapman	...	Officer Pierce

Storyline

In South Boston, where Irish roots run deep and Catholic tradition reigns, two brothers face similar hardships but lead far different lives. While older brother Terry descends into drugs and crime, 16-year-old Cole vies to make the state baseball championships - but must struggle to withstand his brother's destructive influence. When the two inevitably clash in a life-and-death confrontation, family ties-and futures-are at stake.

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Plot Keywords:

life and death | teenage boy | irish | baseball | catholic | 

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Taglines:

Two brothers, you can choose your dreams, but you can't choose family.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language and brief violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 April 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fekete bárány

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$6,900 (USA) (26 October 2007)

Gross:

$6,900 (USA) (26 October 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Creanspeak Funding, Creanspeak Productions, Falcon Film Funding

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

During the scene in the McKay's living room where the Father is comparing life to baseball while watching the game, the first shots of the game are the Red Sox playing at Yankee Stadium, while the later shots in the conversation show the Red Sox paying home at Fenway Park.

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Quotes

Joey: [about Desmond's job] Just because he don't like it doesn't mean it ain't honourable.

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Connections

References The Brady Bunch (1969)

User Reviews

One of the best movies of the year

If you want a traditional story, with a main conflict, a villain, a hero, and a resolution, you may not enjoy this movie. But as an independent coming-of-age movie, I found it to be excellent.

The characters all demonstrate great depth, as other reviews have said. The acting is wonderful. This movie captures life - growing up - in south Boston. There is pregnancy. There is cancer. There is baseball. There is theft. But the movie is not about any one of those things. It is about humanity and living.

Other movies this year have done a better job in building tension. Other movies have been funnier. Other movies have included more commentary - a better moral - about human life. But no movie has captured the essential roller coaster of life better than this movie.

The twists, while not as shocking as others, are more real. The sadness of the movie comes in part from your familiarity with the situations. I highly recommend this movie and I hope you choose to watch it and enjoy it.