The Nephew (1998)

A little island off Ireland. A small town. An old conflict. Fresh wind.

Director:

Eugene Brady

Writers:

Eugene Brady (story), Doug Mayfield (story)

Stars:

Niall Toibin, Sinéad Cusack, Luke Griffin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Niall Toibin	...	Sean
Sinéad Cusack	...	Brenda O'Boyce
Luke Griffin	...	Peter O'Boyce
Phelim Drew	...	Patsy
Donal McCann	...	Tony Egan
Pierce Brosnan	...	Joe Brady
Tony Rohr	...	Crony #1
Jimmy Keogh	...	Crony #2
Marcus Lynch	...	Crony #3
Birdy Sweeney	...	Old Codger
Aonghus Og McAnally	...	Red Haired Kid
Hill Harper	...	Chad Egan-Washington
Aislín McGuckin	...	Aislín Brady
Lorraine Pilkington	...	Rachel
David Quinn	...	Dermot O'Boyce

Storyline

Twenty years ago, Tony Egan's sister went to America. Nobody ever heard of her again. But now, the message of her death arrives in her town of birth. Only days later, her only son Chad arrives, too. Obviously, his mother took an African-American husband. Soon, Chad falls for Aislin, who has a bit of a crush on him too. But there is an old conflict going on between her father and Chad's uncle. This conflict resurfaces and begins to draw circles, wider and wider.

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Plot Keywords:

ireland | african american | two word title | biracial | interracial relationship | 

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Taglines:

They're worlds apart, but closer than anyone could believe.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

Ireland

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 August 1998 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Un amor por descubrir

Filming Locations:

Roundwood, County Wicklow, Ireland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Irish DreamTime, World 2000 Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The drawings done by Chad (Hill Harper), were painted by Irishman James Hanley.

User Reviews

A Film To Fall In Love With

A spirited young man from New York, Chad (played by Hill Harper, very worth your notice), takes a trip to an island off the coast of Ireland. This after the death of his only remaining parent, to fulfill a promise to meet his estranged uncle: he is a local man full of his own ideas about how life should be lived, for himself as well as others.

They embark on a personal journey full of challenges, surprises, family secrets and an uncertainty as to whether or not they will ever find common ground.

All of the main characters have been convincingly developed and they each have something conceivable and worthy to offer. This may not have been a super-high budget film but the acting is superb. Pierce Brosnan (one of the producers) gives a generous and compelling performance as the conflicted, village bar owner trying to balance parenthood and an amended life from behind the stone wall of a guarded heart. Veteran actor, Donal McCann, in one of his final performances, adds an authentic and credible edge as our protagonist's uncle. Sinead Cusak, Phelim Drew, Niall Tobin, Lorraine Pilkington and Aislin McGuckin also deliver command performances as the villagers that are comprised of both the kindred and not-so-kindred spirits in Chad's new world.

The soundtrack is a compilation of beautiful Irish ballads, old soul and rock as well as various and sundry other scores that lend a tight musical canvas against which this story is painted. It was disappointing to learn that there are no plans to make this soundtrack into an album that could be purchased.

What keeps me coming back to this sweet and gallant movie is its soulfulness and honesty. The map of the human heart is ultimately universal and the characters in this story endeavor to draw their own lines to determine what defines friendship, family and honor.

This is a wonderful, interesting and thoughtfully structured comfort film. It begs to be watched from your favorite easy chair on a cozy day - with feet up, your favorite afghan and a warm cup of tea and favorite cookies nearby.