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:

Desayuno en Plutón

Filming Locations:

Bray Head Hotel, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£199,154 (United Kingdom), 15 January 2006, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$33,279, 20 November 2005, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$828,699, 26 March 2006

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

Reunites Liam Neeson, Brendan Gleeson, Ian Hart and Stephen Rea, all who appeared in Michael Collins (1996) also directed by Neil Jordan.

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Goofs

Although The Wombles would have been at the height of their popularity during the film's mid-70s setting, the appearances of the featured Wombles are based on the designs from their late-90s revival, in particular Wellington. Also, Alderney is shown - although included in the books, she didn't make her screen debut until the 90s series.

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Quotes

Patrick "Kitten" Braden: Oh serious, serious, serious!

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Crazy Credits

With thanks to the people of Callan Co., Kilkenny

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Connections

Featured in 2006 Glitter Awards (2006)

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Soundtracks

In the Rain
(1971)
Written by Tony Hester
Performed by The Dramatics
Published by EMI Music Publishing Ltd.
© 1971 EMI-Longitude Music Co., BMI
Courtesy of Volt Records/Fantasy

User Reviews

Cillian's Kitten

Cillian Murphy is superb as an alien of sorts finding its way in our midst. Giving the other cheek as if it was nothing. The goodness, Cillian Murphy, finds in his character goes - I'm sure - far beyond what the screenplay may have required. The goodness of his character feels private. A personal discovery. I hope I'm not making the character sound sentimental, because he/she's not, far from it and that is one of the many surprises to be enjoyed in a film full of surprises. Neil Jordan had already confronted sexual identity in the brilliant "The Crying Game" he, as far as I'm concerned, goes even further in "Breakfast On Pluto". There is no confusion here, everything is blatantly true. Moving beyond words. A mesmerizing piece of acting and film making of the purest kind. Don't miss it.