The Commitments (1991)

Jimmy Rabbitte, an unemployed Dublin boy, decides to put together a soul band made up entirely of the Irish working class.

Director:

Alan Parker

Writers:

Roddy Doyle (novel), Dick Clement (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert Arkins, Michael Aherne, Angeline Ball

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 11 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Arkins	...	Jimmy Rabbitte
Michael Aherne	...	Steven Clifford
Angeline Ball	...	Imelda Quirke
Maria Doyle Kennedy	...	Natalie Murphy (as Maria Doyle)
Dave Finnegan	...	Mickah Wallace
Bronagh Gallagher	...	Bernie McGloughlin
Félim Gormley	...	Dean Fay
Glen Hansard	...	Outspan Foster
Dick Massey	...	Billy Mooney
Johnny Murphy	...	Joey 'The Lips' Fagan
Ken McCluskey	...	Derek Scully (as Kenneth McCluskey)
Andrew Strong	...	Deco Cuffe
Colm Meaney	...	Mr. Rabbitte
Anne Kent	...	Mrs. Rabbitte
Andrea Corr	...	Sharon Rabbitte

Storyline

Funny, musical and occasionally dramatic, this is the story of tumultuous rise and fall of a Dublin Soul band, The Commitments. Managed by Jimmy Rabbitte, an unemployed wheeler and dealer with a vision to create "The Worlds Hardest Working Band".

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Plot Keywords:

working class | ireland | soul music | reference to wilson pickett | barrytown trilogy | 

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Taglines:

They had nothing to lose, they risked it all.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The kid on the skateboard who appears outside Jimmy's window during the first third of the movie when the band are recruiting members is Peter Rowen, the then boy from the covers of U2's "Boy" (1980) and "War" (1983) albums. At the time this movie was filmed, he owned a skate shop in Dublin and was a champion skateboarder.

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Goofs

When listing famous rock stars who died, "the guy from Free" was listed as "died choking on vomit." Paul Kossoff actually died of drug-related heart problems.

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Quotes

Jimmy Rabbitte, Sr.: What did Evel Knievel want?
Jimmy Rabbitte: God sent him.
Jimmy Rabbitte, Sr.: What?
Jimmy Rabbitte: God sent him.
Jimmy Rabbitte, Sr.: On a fucking Suzuki?

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Connections

Featured in 1992 MTV Movie Awards (1992)

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Soundtracks

Treat Her Right
Written by Gene Kurtz and Roy Head
Performed by Robert Arkins, with Angeline Ball, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Bronagh Gallagher and Andrew Strong

User Reviews

A movie made with the Soul!

The first time I saw "The Commitments" I got surprised because it doesn't seem to be a Hollywood-like movie (talking about money) but it's a great example of good script and great performance of the actors/singers. When you see the movie, it seems to be a real-life-documentary.

The music is great! And the best of all is that some of The Commitments' members really play and sing... I recommend to buy the soundtrack (Vols. 1 & 2) if you really are a fan of soul-music. You're gonna love it!

Really... it's one of the best movies that I've seen! It's a movie made with the Soul!

Details

Country:

Ireland UK USA

Language:

English Irish

Release Date:

13 September 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Commitments

Filming Locations:

Ballymun, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$271,333, 18 August 1991

Gross USA:

$14,919,570

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,919,570

Company Credits

Production Co:

Beacon Communications, Beacon Pictures, Dirty Hands Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1