The Snapper 

Set in Ireland, Sharon Curley is a 20 year old living with her parents and many brothers and sisters. When she gets herself pregnant and refuses to name the father, she becomes the talk of ... See full summary »

Director:

Stephen Frears

Writers:

Roddy Doyle (novel), Roddy Doyle (screenplay)

Stars:

Colm Meaney, Tina Kellegher, Ruth McCabe

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 10 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Colm Meaney	...	Dessie Curley - Rabbitte
Tina Kellegher	...	Sharon Curley - Rabbitte
Ruth McCabe	...	Kay Curley - Rabbitte
Eanna MacLiam	...	Craig Curley - Rabbitte
Peter Rowen	...	Sonny Curley - Rabbitte
Joanne Gerrard	...	Lisa Curley - Rabbitte
Colm O'Byrne	...	Darren Curley - Rabbitte
Ciara Duffy	...	Kimberley Curley - Rabbitte
Fionnuala Murphy	...	Jackie O'Keefe
Deirdre O'Brien	...	Mary (as Dierdre O'Brien)
Karen Woodley	...	Yvonne Burgess
Pat Laffan	...	George Burgess
Virginia Cole	...	Doris Burgess
Denis Menton	...	Pat Burgess
Brendan Gleeson	...	Lester

Storyline

Set in Ireland, Sharon Curley is a 20 year old living with her parents and many brothers and sisters. When she gets herself pregnant and refuses to name the father, she becomes the talk of the town.

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Plot Keywords:

ireland | hush money | beer | lie | sister sister relationship | 

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Taglines:

She's got a little secret and a lot of explaining to do.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexuality

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 December 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Grande Família

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Gross USA:

$3,323,524

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The hospital where the baby is born is actually a real maternity hospital called the Rotunda in the middle of Dublin.

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Goofs

When Sharon Curley goes into labour, they all pile into Jimmy's VW van to go to the maternity hospital, In the next scene we see the van travel south over Butt bridge in the center of Dublin. But the Rotunda maternity hospital in on the north side of Dublin, The same side as the Coolock home of the Curleys.

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Quotes

Kay Curley: It's a terrible shock...
Dessie Curley: What is?
Kay Curley: Being married for 25 years, and finding out your husband's a prick.

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Connections

References Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991)

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Soundtracks

Can't Help Falling In Love
Written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore and George David Weiss
Performed by Lick the Tins

User Reviews

Sweet and touching, and kinda nutty

"Sequel" to The Commitments in that it follows some of the same characters (as does The Van that follows it), The Snapper is just the cure you might need for Angela's Ashes -- a portrayal of an Irish family that is kooky enough to be interesting, not drowning in abject poverty, and deeply caring for one another. The Curleys are a tad eccentric -- younger brother obsessed with bicycling, a younger sister who paints her face with shaving foam and costumes herself to pretend she is a marching band leader, middle sibs pushing the envelope at every chance -- and eldest sister Sharon, suddenly pregnant and refusing to disclose the name of the father. (pardon the pun.) Ballykissangel fans will recognise this actress as Niahm, the Garda's wife. Colm Meaney gives a beautiful performance as Desi Curley, the dad by turn bewildered and outraged then growing in his acceptance and excitement in the impending appearance of Sharon's baby -- the eponymous little "snapper". Brendan Gleeson also appears as one of Desi's pub chums, with a deft portrayal of a shy and lonely man.

One of my favorite aspects of this film is its un-Hollywood-ness -- everyone looks real. There is no slick, too-pretty feel to this movie. The dialogue is quick, thick with dialect (so listen closely, get the sounds in your ear, or you might miss some fun exchanges!) and funny enough to be real and real enough to be moving. If there is a message to this story (and I think there is!) it might be, "If we love each other, it really will all be ok." I find it to be a touching and uplifting movie.