Breakfast on Pluto (2005)

In the 1970s, a young trans woman, Patrick "Kitten" Braden, comes of age by leaving her Irish town for London, in part to look for her mother and in part because her gender identity is beyond the town's understanding.

Director:

Neil Jordan

Writers:

Neil Jordan, Pat McCabe (as Patrick McCabe)

Stars:

Cillian Murphy, Morgan Jones, Eva Birthistle

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 6 wins & 16 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cillian Murphy	...	Patrick 'Kitten' Braden
Morgan Jones	...	Building Site Worker
Eva Birthistle	...	Eily Bergin
Liam Neeson	...	Father Liam
Mary Coughlan	...	Housekeeper
Conor McEvoy	...	Young Patrick Braden
Ruth McCabe	...	Ma Braden
Charlene McKenna	...	Caroline Braden
Seamus Reilly	...	Lawrence
Peter Owens	...	Butcher
Emmet Lawlor McHugh	...	Young Irwin
Bianca O'Connor	...	Young Charlie
Paraic Breathnach	...	Benny Feely
Pat McCabe	...	Peepers Egan / Schoolmaster (as Patrick McCabe)
Owen Roe	...	Dean

Storyline

A young transwoman, Patrick "Kitten" Braden, comes of age in the 1970s. She leaves her Irish town, in part to look for her mother and in part because her transgender nature is beyond the town's understanding. She's taken in by a rock band, falls for the lead singer, has brushes with the IRA, is arrested by the London police, works in a peep show, and poses as a survey researcher for the phone company. Throughout, her nationality and her nature put her at great risk. In her search for her mother, she makes surprising discoveries of friendship and family. But, will she survive?

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Plot Keywords:

irish | 1970s | ira | friendship | transgender | 

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Taglines:

Same world, different planet!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality, language, some violence and drug use

Details

Country:

Ireland UK

Language:

English Irish

Release Date:

6 January 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Breakfast on Pluto

Filming Locations:

Bray Head Hotel, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$33,279, 20 November 2005

Gross USA:

$828,699

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,942,254

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pathé Pictures International, Bórd Scannán na hÉireann, Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Cillian Murphy said it took a lot of work to get the high pitch of the Nancy Sinatra part of the song "Sand" which he performs with Gavin Friday.

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Goofs

Whilst the film is set in the late 1960s, early 1970s, the London underground train the Phantomlady disappears into, after Kitten ran down the escalator after her, is of the 1990s.

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Quotes

Father Liam: You have your mother's eyes. Do you know that, Patrick. The colour of the ocean beyond Rosses Point.
Patrick "Kitten" Braden: You took her there?
Father Liam: Many times. Things... could have been so different...
Patrick "Kitten" Braden: Ssh. Don't say anything. Because you know the strangest thing? I went looking for her. But I found you.

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Crazy Credits

With thanks to the people of Callan Co., Kilkenny

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Connections

Features Les Girls (1957)

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Soundtracks

Sand
(1966)
Written and Composed by Lee Hazlewood
Performed by Gavin Friday, Cillian Murphy
Licensed by Marada Music Limited on behalf of Lee Hazlewood

User Reviews

Neil Jordan returns to his best material: gender bending and the IRA

This spellbinding, tightly written, tightly wound, full speed ahead film is Neil Jordan's best work by far since his 1992 hit, "The Crying Game." And, interestingly, in this new film, Jordan returns to exactly the same intertwined themes that marked "Crying Game": the armed struggle of Northern Irish Catholics against the British Crown and gender bending.

Unlike the last minute revelations in "Crying Game," however, here the protagonist's transsexuality is placed front and center from the getgo. Cillian Murphy gives a bravura performance as Patrick "Kitten" Braden, in a story set in the 60s and 70s. Murphy oozes sensual vitality and is a world class flirt, but he's also genuinely kind and compassionate toward everybody.

The story is divided into 35 brief, fast paced "chapters" following Kitten's life over several years, first in a village near Belfast, later in London. The musical score, which is extraordinarily good, is an eclectic mix of everything from 40s pop tunes to Harry Nilsson and Van Morrison. Good supporting turns are provided by Liam Neeson, Ruth Negga, Stephen Rea, Gavin Friday and Brendan Gleeson. My top rated narrative drama of 2005: grade 10/10 A.