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?

---

Plot Keywords:

irish | 1970s | ira | friendship | transgender | 

---

Taglines:

Same world, different planet!

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Certificate:

14A

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the IRA men threatening to kill Patrick "Kitten" Braden, the one he/she calls Mr. Killing Man, is played by Eamonn Owens who made his film debut in another Neil Jordan film, The Butcher Boy (1997) where he played the title character.

---

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.

---

Quotes

Charlie: What would it turn out like, Paddy? You know what I mean, don't you?
Patrick "Kitten" Braden: It'd be an absolute disaster. Like me.
Nurse: Now... I want you to read this leaflet. It outlines all aspects of the termiation procedure.
Charlie: Termination? You mean this is an abortion clinic?
Nurse: Yes, of course it is.
Charlie: Oh. I thought it was a fertility clinic.
[gets up and leaves]
Patrick "Kitten" Braden: [to the nurse] I think she's changed her mind. Thank you.

---

Crazy Credits

With thanks to the people of Callan Co., Kilkenny

---

Connections

References South Pacific (1958)

---

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

The Smiling Game

There's never been a character like "Kitten" on the screen before or an actor like Cillian Murphy for that matter. What a feast of a film! What a joyful race through a desolate existence dressed in smiles and hope and gratefulness. Neil Jordan's introduce us to this extraordinary real life character with the magical slant of a fairy tale. A lesson for all seasons. A unique portrait of a victim that behaves like a hero. The idea of victim doesn't even enter the orbit of his reality. How beautiful! I hope this marvellous film find its way to a large audience. I want everyone to feel what I felt. I was enthralled by the positiveness at the heart of its message. And if all this wasn't enough. Liam Neeson! Giving the best performance of his career as the most human of the imperfect humans that populate the planet. Do yourself a favour, put aside preconceptions and run to have breakfast on Pluto.

Details

Country:

Ireland UK

Language:

English Irish

Release Date:

13 January 2006 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Desayuno en Plutón

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