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| Eclectic collage poster for Alan Parker's The Commitments |
The Commitments is a great Irish/UK/US co-production adaptation of a novel by Roddy Doyle about a working class band, who vow to bring soul to Dublin.
Our protagonist is the spirited heart of the band, its manager Jimmy, well-played by Robert Arkins (Right Now Ladies and Gents (short, 2004, composer)), who brings together a ragtag group of people from his personal circle and from the pool of hopefuls that literally show up on his doorstep as a result of a talent ad that he has put in the paper.
The Commitments is, rightly, a very popular film, - voted best Irish film of all time in a 2005 poll, and it continues to be seen and loved. It inspires musical dreamers everywhere still and continues to blow its soul out for the enjoyment of whoever sees it.
It's hard to sit still and be quiet during The Commitments, because it's a film full of great rhythms and songs that beg to be finger-snapped, foot-tapped and sung along to.
There is no dramatic or romantic secondary story attached to the band-story. The story of the band is the story of the movie. So don't expect to have your world redefined, but expect a damn good time with some unpolished Irish characters, when you pick up The Commitments.
It is shot in Dublin, which shows, both in the film's feel and in the general dilapidation that it mostly plays out in. The authenticity that London director Alan Parker (Midnight Express (1978)) has achieved with his cast of acting amateurs is impressive. The film was Oscar-nominated for its seamless editing by Gerry Hambling (The Boxer (1997)).
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| The Commitments play their first gig in Alan Parker's film The Commitments |
The details:
Besides those already mentioned, there are a few more who deserve mention:
Andrew Strong, the merely 18-year old kid who becomes the powerful lead singer of the band is a scoop, and his voice makes us fully enjoy all of the many songs. Also Maria Doyle Kennedy (Albert Nobbs (2011)), (the best of the chorus girls), has a wonderful voice and a very fine solo act in the film that makes one think of later, great British soul voices like Adele and Duffy. Ken McCluskey (Far and Away (1992)) is fun as the lady-killing sax player Joey 'The Lips' Fagan, who's got (sometimes dubious) stories to tell about all the soul music greats.
The ending has a point of SPOILER keeping faith in your project and overcoming doubts and anger, but the project of the band The Commitments, (the name turns out a poor choice), SPOILER falls apart. Mostly because the individuals that make up the band are such animals. Really gruff Irishmen, who go at each other every chance they get and therefore fall apart in jealousy and pettiness the second they start to play well together and get notice. That is a bit disheartening, but still a minor detractor from an over-all very enjoyable music drama comedy movie with bountiful good songs and many priceless lines.
Related review:
Alan Parker: Angel Heart (1987) - Stylish devil-lurking with little punch
Watch the great trailer for the film here
Cost: Unknown
Box office: 14.9 (US only)
= Hit (uncertain how big)
What do you think of The Commitments?
Is it the best or one of the best Irish films of all time in your opinion?
Other great movies that are the story of a band?
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