Moondance (1994)

30ish Patrick and teenage Dominic are two brothers living alone in a remote farmhouse in the Southwest of Ireland, while their mother is away traveling. When their aunt comes visiting, with... See full summary »

Director:

Dagmar Hirtz

Writers:

Francis Stuart (novel), Mark Watters

Stars:

Rúaidhrí Conroy, Ian Shaw, Julia Brendler

1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Rúaidhrí Conroy	...	Dominic
Ian Shaw	...	Patrick
Julia Brendler	...	Anya
Marianne Faithfull	...	Mother
Brendan Grace	...	Murphy
Jasmine Russell	...	Rose
Darren Monks	...	Chalky
David Kelly	...	Mr. Dunwoody
Tom Hickey	...	Mr. Dunbar
Kate Flynn	...	Aunt Dorothy
Alan Devlin	...	John Joe
Gerard McSorley	...	Fr. McGrath
P.J. Brady	...	Murry
Joan O'Hara	...	Nun
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Fumi	...	Violetta

Storyline

30ish Patrick and teenage Dominic are two brothers living alone in a remote farmhouse in the Southwest of Ireland, while their mother is away traveling. When their aunt comes visiting, with her arrives Anya, a young woman from Germany who starts helping Dominic with his studies in return for a chance to improve her English. As time goes by, Patrick and Anya fall in love, while Dominic also develops feelings for the girl. And when they marry and decide to move to Dublin together, Dominic comes with them, not being able to let go of his brother.

---

Plot Keywords:

love triangle | rivalry | burning a building | dublin ireland | family relationships | 

---

Taglines:

Nothing ever came between these two brothers... until she arrived.

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality and some language

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

Madam George
Performed by Marianne Faithfull
Writer: Van Morrison
Published by Web IV/Polygram Music Ltd.
Marianne Faithfull appears by kind permission of
Island Records Ltd.

User Reviews

Bittersweet moonlit Irish tale

The Aachen, Germany native, Dagmar Hirtz, does a fine turn in his directorship of this truly Irish tale of strong filial bond and its accompanying trials, tribulations and joys. Ruaidhri Conroy and Ian Shaw play the two lads in question (Dominic and Patrick) who have been abandoned by their mom and must fend for themselves in a poor region of western Ireland. Due in no small part to the parental absence, the sibs develop this strong bond. But, alas, enter the femme fatale, Anya (Julia Brendler), who is initially Patrick's (the older boy) tutor. She is somewhere between the ages of the brothers which makes her a love target for both lads. At first, she falls in love with Patrick, much to Dominic's dismay. But mom, well played by Marianne Faithful, comes home for a bit, and adds more fuel to the emotional fire. The trio (plus the dog!) then goes to Dublin, without mom, to try to start a new life. Things get dicey in Dublin and Anya's interest starts to shift to Dominic, who loves her too, but is averse to stepping on older bro's toes.

But that's it for a mini plot synopsis: I'll let other reviewers do their own spoiling. What I must emphasize is how well acted, well written and how moving this story was, in no small part augmented by the poignant insertions of the Van Morrison title song, adapted to a liltingly Irish 6/8 time signature. Already a tender and moving film sans the sound track, the strains of that song emphatically augment the accompanying drama. Add to that a realistic, bittersweet, yet optimistic finale and you have the makings of a movie to warm your heart.

Details

Official Sites:

Miramax

Country:

Germany Ireland UK

Language:

English German

Release Date:

7 September 1995 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Moondance

Filming Locations:

Dublin, Ireland

Company Credits

Production Co:

ARTE, Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR), Little Bird

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color