The Boys & Girl from County Clare (2003)

In 1965, Jimmy McMahon and his group of Liverpudlians plot to win the annual céilí music competition in Ireland.

Director:

John Irvin

Writer:

Nicholas Adams

Stars:

Colm Meaney, Bernard Hill, Shaun Evans

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bernard Hill	...	John Joe
Charlotte Bradley	...	Maisie
Andrea Corr	...	Anne
Stephen Brennan	...	Miko
Eamonn Owens	...	Pat
Malachy Bourke	...	Ben
Brendan O'Hare	...	Brendan
Ian Shaw	...	Johnny
Leslie Bingham	...	Leslie
Colm Meaney	...	Jimmy
Shaun Evans	...	Teddy
Philip Barantini	...	Alex
Frank Twomey	...	Roger
Emmet Kirwan	...	Clive
Noel Bridgeman	...	Drummer

Storyline

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 ...

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Plot Keywords:

band | competition | musician | ceili band | ireland | 

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Taglines:

Listen to your heart.

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Genres:

Comedy | Music | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some sexuality and nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is NOT set in 1965. As others have pointed out, almost everything about it says at least late 60s, and more like early 70s. It even includes the line, "...the greatest thing since Sgt Pepper" for a start.

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Goofs

The film is supposedly set in the early 60's when the Beatles were a beat band. Yet we see an English car with an H registration - not issued until August 1969. Alex and Teddy also mention Kevin Keegan signing for Liverpool. This did not happen until 1971.

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Quotes

John Joe: It's better to gain a musician than lose a daughter, I always say.

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Connections

References Roman Holiday (1953)

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Soundtracks

The Irish Washerwoman
Traditional

User Reviews

A delightful film, with good lessons, pathos, fun, music & humour.

The Boys from County Clare is a delightful comedy with many dark, dramatic overtones. Two brothers, estranged for years, are competing in a ceili (Irish dance music) band competition. Each will stop at nothing to prevent the other from winning, or even entering, the competition. We do not know the cause of the rift but it soon becomes clear that other characters are involved in it. It kept me guessing: sometimes right and sometimes wrong. As time passes, we learn more about the dark secrets of these characters and how they work things out.

If you like Irish music, then you have one more thing to love about this film; it is full of that music. The cast was well chosen both for appearance and acting abilities. Whether or not they really are, they do appear to be playing the music. The characters appear to be very real and always interesting.

There is considerable foul language and drunkenness in the film but it is essential to the understanding of the characters and their ways. There are many beautiful lessons and much pathos but even more humour in the film. Watch for a delightful surprise near the end.

Details

Official Sites:

First Look Media [United States]

Country:

Ireland UK Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 March 2006 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

The Boys & Girl from County Clare

Filming Locations:

Isle of Man

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$20,856, 13 March 2005

Gross USA:

$142,872

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$151,869

Company Credits

Production Co:

Isle of Man Film Commission, Isle of Man Film, Studio Hamburg WorldWide Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1