Hear My Song (1991)

Owner of a failing club seeks infamous Irish singer Josef Locke in order to bring business and success to his club

Director:

Peter Chelsom

Writers:

Peter Chelsom (screenplay), Peter Chelsom (story)

Stars:

Ned Beatty, Adrian Dunbar, Brian Flanagan

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brian Flanagan	...	Young Micky O'Neill
Constance Cowley	...	Nurse
Marie Mullen	...	Micky's Mum
Phil Kelly	...	Ronnie Lavelle
Jean Blanchflower	...	Ronnie's Mum
Adrian Dunbar	...	Micky O'Neill
Tara Fitzgerald	...	Nancy Doyle
John Dair	...	Derek
Stephen Marcus	...	Gordon
John Neville Rufus Altman	...	Oscar Harrison
Joe Cuddy	...	Franc Cinatra
Britta Smith	...	Kitty Ryan
Gladys Sheehan	...	Grandma Ryan
Gina Moxley	...	Brenda Ryan
Rúaidhrí Conroy	...	Grandson Ryan

Storyline

Owner of a failing club seeks infamous Irish singer Josef Locke in order to bring business and success to his club

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Plot Keywords:

well | bottomless well | wrecking ball | widow | whistling | 

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Taglines:

There's definitely magic in the air

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and a scene of sensuality

Details

Country:

Ireland UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

February 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Akouste to tragoudi mou

Filming Locations:

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland

Box Office

Gross USA:

$4,313,173

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Screen Productions, Channel Four Films, Limelight Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Black and White Color (Metrocolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film cost less than £2 million to make and was shot in Ireland in under 6 weeks. Then first time director Peter Chelsom and co-writer/ star Adrian Dunbar took it to the Cannes Film Festival in search of a buyer. There, Harvey Weinstein snapped up the American distribution rights for Miramax, thus ensuring the film of a high degree of visibility. This duly paid off with its success at the American and UK box office, and a Golden Globe nomination for Ned Beatty.

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Quotes

Micky O'Neill: Think of the publicity your comeback would have. And the women, the women! There won't be a dry seat in the house.

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Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Shining Through/Hear My Song/Mississippi Masala/35Up/Love Crimes (1992)

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Soundtracks

Movin'
Written by Adrian Dunbar (as Dunbar) and John Neville Rufus Altman (as Altman)
Performed by Adrian Dunbar and James Nesbitt

User Reviews

One of the great unheralded movies of all time

I saw this film at the Toronto International Film Festival and thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I screeched with laughter, and cried real tears. The audience reception was rapturous, one of the most responsive I've ever witnessed at the festival. Director Peter Chelsom was reduced to tears, and when Ned Beatty made a surprise appearance in his Joseph Locke fedora and cloak the crowd went crazy. Since then, I make a point of watching this wonderful film in the dark days of February, the dreariest part of a Toronto winter. It never fails to restore my spirit.

As a final note, I think Chelsom is a very talented director. Who can ever forget the image of those Irish lady owners crammed onto one couch? The film is filled with glorious visuals like this one. I've liked every movie Chelsom has made since, but he seems to get a bum rap from the press. Nonetheless, he will always be remembered for giving us this treasure.