Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Bernard Hill | ... | John Joe | |
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Charlotte Bradley | ... | Maisie |
Andrea Corr | ... | Anne | |
Stephen Brennan | ... | Miko | |
Eamonn Owens | ... | Pat | |
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Malachy Bourke | ... | Ben |
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Brendan O'Hare | ... | Brendan |
Ian Shaw | ... | Johnny | |
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Leslie Bingham | ... | Leslie |
Colm Meaney | ... | Jimmy | |
Shaun Evans | ... | Teddy | |
Philip Barantini | ... | Alex | |
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Frank Twomey | ... | Roger |
Emmet Kirwan | ... | Clive | |
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Noel Bridgeman | ... | Drummer |
It's the mid 1960s. With a long tradition of Irish music in their blood, middle-aged John Joe McMahon and younger Jimmy McMahon, two of three brothers, grew up in County Clare, Ireland. They have long been estranged, their falling out over a woman. John Joe, still living in County Clare, has never married, while Jimmy, who long ago left County Clare to live in Liverpool, is on wife number five and probably counting. As fiddlers, they each lead their own ceili band, following those strict musical conventions in which they were raised. As such, Jimmy's talented flautist, Teddy, exasperates him if only because of Teddy's being musically influenced by, among others, The Beatles. John Joe's band has won the best ceili band competition at the prestigious annual Irish music festival three years running. This year, Jimmy's band will also be in attendance for the first time. John Joe and Jimmy do not want to see each other and do whatever they can to ensure the other does not make it to the ... Written by Huggo
A wonderful anti-dose to mainstream studio fare. This is a simple, but not simple-minded film that will make you laugh and cry. The performances are superb. Colm Meaney and Bernard Hill are a joy to watch, Charlotte Bradley delivers a masterful performance as the mother and Andrea Corr is a radiant presence. She is smart, direct and passioned. The contagious Ceili music will make you tap your foot long after the end of the film. You will come out of theater wanting to go to the nearest pub to have a pint of Guiness and hope to encounter there the characters from the film! What a wonderful treat this film delivers. Embrace it without any prejudice and you will experience a gentle and sweet ride.