Evelyn (2002)

Desmond's wife leaves him and their 3 kids after Christmas 1953. Unemployed in Dublin, the authorities place the kids in orphanages. Employed again, Desmond tries to get his kids back.

Director:

Bruce Beresford

Writer:

Paul Pender

Stars:

Pierce Brosnan, Julianna Margulies, Aidan Quinn

4 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sophie Vavasseur	...	Evelyn Doyle
Niall Beagan	...	Dermot Doyle
Hugh McDonagh	...	Maurice Doyle (as Hugh Macdonagh)
Pierce Brosnan	...	Desmond Doyle
Mairead Devlin	...	Charlotte Doyle
Frank Kelly	...	Henry Doyle
Clare Mullen	...	Mrs. Daisley (as Claire Mullan)
Alvaro Lucchesi	...	Inspector Logan
Garrett Keogh	...	District Judge
Daithi O'Suilleabhain	...	Brother Eustace (as Daithi O'Suillebhain)
Andrea Irvine	...	Sister Brigid
Marian Quinn	...	Sister Theresa
Karen Ardiff	...	Sister Felicity
Julianna Margulies	...	Bernadette Beattie
Bosco Hogan	...	Father O'Malley

Storyline

1953. Desmond Doyle is devastated when his wife abandons their family on the day after Christmas. His unemployment, and the fact that there is no woman in the house to care for the children, Evelyn, Dermot, and Maurice, make it clear to the authorities that his is an untenable situation. The Irish courts put the Doyle children into Church-run orphanages. Although a sympathetic judge assures Desmond that he'll get his children back after he gets a job, he learns there's another barrier. During that time, Evelyn suffers abuse, while Desmond goes to court to get his children back. A barmaid, her brother, her suitor, and a tippling footballer become Desmond's team.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | children | court | judge | irish | 

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Taglines:

The story of a father's love that changed a nation

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic material and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Several decades later, widespread shocking revelations and allegations about the extent of the abuse of children in the care of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland, during this time in the 1950s, have since given this film a much darker undercurrent than originally intended.

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Goofs

When the man from SPCC was speaking with Doyle, a woman behind Doyle hung the same pair of pants on the line twice.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Dermot Doyle: Evelyn, did Jesus have a big sister?
Evelyn Doyle: No Dermot, he wasn't as lucky as you.

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Crazy Credits

Slippery Sam is the greyhound who wins the race.

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Connections

Referenced in Jeopardy!: Episode #22.7 (2005)

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Soundtracks

The Parting Glass
(Traditional)
Performed by Pierce Brosnan

User Reviews

A real jewel!

I loved this movie from the first time I saw it. It has all a good story needs. It's funny, moving and warm.

The story of Evelyn Doyle is told without too much bias, which is a nice thing to see. It paints a picture of 1950s Ireland that seems more optimistic. The movie is not all about misery. It's about life with all its ups and downs.

The cast is excellent, you just have to love all the characters. I'm especially fond of Pierce Brosnan's performance. You see a side of him that he doesn't get to show much on film. He even sings, what impressed me a lot. He makes you forget about James Bond; he actually becomes Desmond Doyle. I'd love to see him in more films of that kind!

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA Germany Ireland UK Netherlands

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Evelyn

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$65,344, 15 December 2002

Gross USA:

$1,487,645

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,186,916

Company Credits

Production Co:

First Look International, Cinerenta Medienbeteiligungs KG, Irish DreamTime

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min 95 min (TV)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1