In the Name of the Father (1993) or, The Scapegoats

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The giant head of celebrated, long-haired co-star Daniel Day-Lewis makes up this poster for Jim Sheridan's In the Name of the Father

Gerry Conlon is a young thief in Belfast, Ireland, who in the mid 1970s moves to London, where he hangs out with some bad types, robs a prostitute and is eventually convicted of a horrific IRA bombing that killed 4 off-duty soldiers, which he had nothing to do with.

In the Name of the Father is written by Terry George (The Boxer (1997)) and co-writer/producer/director, great Irish filmmaker Jim Sheridan (My Left Foot (1989)), adapting the autobiography Proved Innocent (1990) by Gerry Conlon.

The film is very involving for some audiences; for me the obstacles surrounding Daniel Day-Lewis' (The Crucible (1996)) protagonist were too considerable for me to get fully invested: Conlon is a fairless useless, hopeless and really stupid turncoat.

The film is handsomely produced, well told and well acted. It would have been better, if the film's perspective had been that of Conlon's father and not his bovine son. The father is acted strongly by Pete Postlethwaite (Ghost Son (2007)) in what is perhaps his career's best role. Day-Lewis' Gerry Conlon makes this celebrated, otherwise fine film an unnecessarily depressing experience.

 

Related posts:

 

Jim Sheridan: Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005) - Sheridan's hiphop biopic riddled with weak spots 

2005 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]

The Boxer (1997) - Excellent film of boxing and love in ugly Ireland

 

 

Watch a trailer for the film here

 

Cost: 13 mil. $

Box office: 65.7 mil. $

= Big hit (returned 5.05 times its cost)

[In the Name of the Father premiered 12 December (Ireland) and runs 133 minutes. Day-Lewis reportedly shed 23 kg (50 lb) for the role, prepared by getting incarcerated for 3 days and nights and exposing himself to a nine hour interrogation. During shooting he insisted on receiving abuse from his surroundings and kept up his Belfast accent off-screen as part of his method acting. Shooting took place from March - June 1993 in Ireland, including in Dublin and in England, including London. The film opened #21 to a 109k $ first weekend in 4 theaters in North America, where it peaked at #10 and in 688 theaters (different weeks), grossing 25 mil. $ (38.1 % of the total gross). Its foreign market numbers are regrettably not detailed; however, it was the 2nd highest-grossing film ever in Ireland, (behind Jurassic Park (1993)), with a 4.5 mil. $ gross, and the highest-grossing Irish film there of all time as well. It was nominated for 7 Oscars, winning none: It lost Best Actor (Day-Lewis) to Tom Hanks in Philadelphia, Supporting Actor (Postlethwaite) to Tommy Lee Jones in The Fugitive, Supporting Actress (Emma Thompson (Love Actually (2003))) to Anna Paquin in The Piano, Director to Steven Spielberg for Schindler's List, Editing to Schindler's List, Adapted Screenplay to Steven Zaillian for Schindler's List and Picture also to Schindler's List. The film was also nominated for 2 BAFTAs, won 1/2 David di Donatello award nominations, was nominated for a European Film award and 4 Golden Globes and won a National Board of Review award, among many other honors. Roger Ebert gave it a 3/4 star review, translating to a notch over this one. The film was criticized for changing and fictionalizing several elements of the true story. IMDb's users have rated the film in at #194 on the site's Top 250, sitting between The Gold Rush (1935) and Monsters, Inc. (2001). Sheridan returned with Sinéad O'Connor: You Made Me the Thief of Your Heart (1994, music video) and theatrically with The Boxer (1997). Day-Lewis returned in The Crucible (1996); Thompson in My Father the Hero (1994). In the Name of the Father is certified fresh at 94 % with a 7.80/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of In the Name of the Father?

Once (2007) - Music brings souls together in Carney's impressive breakthrough

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A man and a woman walk together on a road that's switched out with a guitar on this pleasant poster for John Carney's Once

A street singer and vacuum cleaner repairman with a broken heart starts a relation to a Czech girl in Dublin. Their relation develops from their musical co-creations over a span of some few days, in which they also record some songs.

 

Once is written and directed by great Irish filmmaker John Carney (November Afternoon (1996)).

It is a celebration of musical expression, and the original music that goes along with Once is deep-felt and beautiful. Once is a wonderful film with a striking simplicity. Although the cinematic expression is obviously dictated by the minuscule budget, the film is moving and rewarding.

Related posts:

John Carney: 2013 in films - according to Film Excess [UPDATED V]
2013 in films - according to Film Excess [UPDATED IV]
2013 in films - according to Film Excess [UPDATED III]
2013 in films - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II]  
2013 in films - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]

Begin Again/Can a Song Save Your Life? (2013) - Carney's welcome New York music treat 

 

Watch a trailer for the film here

 

Cost: 150k $

Box office: 23.1 mil. $

= Mega-hit (returned 154 times its cost)

[Once premiered 20 January (Sundance Film Festival, Utah) and runs 86 minutes. Cillian Murphy had been intended to play the male lead but dropped out. 75 % of the budget came from The Irish Film Board, with Carney personally donating his salary to his two lead actors. Shooting took place in 17 days in January 2006 in Dublin, Ireland. The film opened #45 to a 61k $ first weekend in 2 theaters in North America, where it peaked at #12 and in 150 theaters (different weeks), grossing 9.4 mil. $ (40.7 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were South Korea with 1.7 mil. $ (7.4 %) and Germany with 1.3 mil. $ (5.6 %). The film won the Best Original Song Oscar for Falling Slowly by leads and composers Glen Hansard (The Commitments (1991)) and Markéta Irglová (The Swell Season (2011, documentary)). It was also nominated for a British Independent Film award, won an Independent Spirit award, was nominated for 2 Grammys, won a National Board of Review award and an audience award in Sundance, among other honors. Roger Ebert gave it a 4/4 star review, translating to 2 notches over this one. Carney returned with The Modest Adventures of David O'Doherty (2007, TV-series) and theatrically with Zonad (2009). Hansard returned in a TV-series and 2 music videos prior to his theatrical return in Cyrano (2021); Irglová has only returned in a TV-series and  music videos and have otherwise left the medium again. Once is certified fresh at 97 % with an 8.30/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Once?

Belfast (2021) - Strong childhood memories become a fabulous film

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Jude Hill is the boy running joyously brandishing a toy sword and a garbage can lid for a shield on this delightful poster for Kenneth Branagh's Belfast

Buddy is a 9 year-old boy in Belfast, Northern Ireland, whose friendships, family bonds and local anchoring comes into question, as the Troubles bring violence, hatred and chaos into his otherwise loving if hard-pressed family's lives.

 

Belfast is written and directed by Irish master filmmaker Kenneth Branagh (Henry V (1989)), who draws on his own Belfast upbringing and memories for the story. It is his 18th feature.

The cinematography, which mixes colors, - used in short, bookend style present day sequences and for pieces of escapist fiction enjoyed by the characters in the cinema and on the stage, (highlighting the magical power of imagination, fantasy and joyful escapism), - and black and white, by Haris Zambarloukous (Sleuth (2007)), is gorgeous: The film opens with fabulous snapshots of present-day Belfast, an impressive modern metropolis with awesome art landmarks and industry, and we then descend into the city as it was some 50 odd years earlier, a seemingly small-townish harmony, but one that is immediately broken by the advent of the Troubles. It is a powerful drop into this reality, and through the anchor of Jude Hill's (Magpie Murders (2022, TV-series)) vivacious Buddy we are at once aligned with him and his family's situation in Belfast.

Hill is impossible not to fall in love with and seems a natural actor. The film has terrific performances across the board: Caitriona Balfe (Money Monster (2016)) and Jamie Dornan (New Worlds (2014, miniseries)) are a ravishing couple and they have great chemistry. He looks like a leader but is in fact a loving father and husband who lets his wife have the last word, (an arrangement that's seen more often than not both in the past and present it seems.) The way they are both incomplete without the other is just a beautiful thing to behold. Their scenes of affection and deep love in the face of trials and hardships are mirrored in the grandparents played by Ciarán Hinds (Munich (2005)) and Judi Dench (Detective (1964, TV-series)), who is again amazing. Van Morrison (Lamb (1985)), also a Belfast native, has made a soulful and deeply moving score for the film, which has warmth, humor and nostalgia yet still maintains a fresh and potent immediacy.

Branagh may idealize here and exaggerate there, but only in small measures, and it is clear that these are essentially treasured boyhood memories, - a source that is always a matter of perspective, - which have been carefully elaborated into a feature film. There have been many films about the Troubles, but this is one boy's experience of the time and his community and family during that time. Belfast is a deeply poignant and encouraging piece of cinema and tightly edited, tremendous storytelling that deserves to be seen far and wide.

 

Related posts:

Kenneth Branagh: Tenet (2020) - Nolan blows smoke up your ass (actor)

Murder on the Orient Express (2017) - Branagh's star-studded Christie match is auspicious (director/co-star)

2017 in films - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]
Dunkirk (2017) - Nolan champions cinema with masterful war movie (actor)
My Week with Marilyn (2011) or, The Prince, the Showgirl and Me (actor)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) - Potter and Co. return for handsome if overlong first sequel (co-star)
Celebrity (1998) or, Stars in New York (actor) 

 

 

Watch a trailer for the film here

 

Cost: 10-15 mil. $

Box office: 44.9 mil. $ and counting

= Box office success, possibly even a big hit (has returned between 2.99-4.49 times its cost)

[Belfast premiered 2 September (Telluride Film Festival) and runs 97 minutes. Branagh began work on the film in March 2020. Shooting took 7 weeks from September - October 2020 in Belfast, Northern Ireland and in London, England. The film opened #7 to a 1.7 mil. $ first weekend in North America, where it declined from there, grossing 9.2 mil. $ to date. The film's biggest market has been the UK with 19.9 mil. $ to date, especially from Ireland; North America the 2nd biggest, and then Australia with 3.2 mil. $ to date. The film has 1 market left to open in: Kazakhstan on 31 March. It was nominated for 7 Oscars, winning one, for Best Original Screenplay. It lost Best Picture to CODA, Supporting Actor (Hinds) to Troy Kotsur for CODA, Supporting Actress (Dench) to Ariana DeBose for West Side Story, Director to Jane Campion for The Power of the Dog, Sound to Dune and Original Song (Down to Joy by Van Morrison) to No Time to Die by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell from No Time to Die. It won 1/6 BAFTAs, an AFI award, was nominated for 11 British Independent Film awards, won 1/7 Golden Globe nominations, 2 National Board of Review awards and many other honors. Branagh returned with Death on the Nile (2022). Dornan returned in The Tourist (2022, TV-series) and theatrically is set to return in Heart of Stone; Balfe in Outlander (2014-22) and theatrically yet to be announced. Belfast is certified fresh at 86 % with a 7.90/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Belfast?

Hunger (2008) - McQueen's overrated feel-bad debut

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+ Most Overrated Movie of the Year  

 

Star Michael Fassbender lights a cigarette on this gloomy poster for Steve McQueen's Hunger

The Troubles, Northern Ireland, 1981: Over 2,100 Irishmen are killed in the course of battle. We follow the Irish inmates in one prison holding IRA terrorists. One of them begins a new hunger strike and dies, and they consequently have demands met. 

 

Hunger is written by Enda Walsh (Weightless (2017)) and English master filmmaker, debuting co-writer/director Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave (2013)). It is based on the real-life 1981 Irish hunger strike and 'dirty protest' in the Maze Prison.

This could perhaps have been a good film, but what McQueen has made is a stubby, icy cold cornfield of a picture. The first half is rife with ridiculously disgusting scenes with piss and shit on the walls, food on the floor, maggots and cavemen-like prisoners, who are beaten to a pulp, almost entirely without dialog. This has the effect of leaving the viewer exhausted and totally apathetic as to every one involved, when they actually start talking together, which culminates in a grotesquely long conversation scene told in just two shots. SPOILER After this, Hunger's 'hero', Bobby Sands, the IRA hunger strike prisoner portrayed by Michael Fassbender (300 (2006)), starves himself to death.

Some call this uniquely negative experience film high art. - I call it a feel-bad turkey.

 

Related posts:

Steve McQueen: 2013 in films - according to Film Excess [UPDATED V] 

2013 in films - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II] 

12 Years a Slave (2013) - The inhumanity of slavery portrayed forcefully in awesome film
2011 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED III]    

Shame (2011) or, That Empty Sex 

2008 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED III] 

 

 

Watch a trailer for the movie here

 

Cost: Estimated 1.5 mil. £, approximately 2.04 mil. $

Box office: 3.1 mil. $

= Big flop (returned 1.51 times its cost)

[Hunger premiered 15 May (Cannes Film Festival, out of competition) and runs 96 minutes. The film opened #95 to a 1k $ first weekend in 1 theater in North America, where it peaked at #61 and in 11 theaters, grossing 154k $ (5 % of the total gross). The film's biggest markets were the UK with 1.2 mil. $ (38.7 %), France with 834k $ (26.9 %) and Italy with 397k $ (12.8 %). It won 1/2 BAFTA nominations, 3/7 British Independent Film awards, 2 prizes in Cannes, 1/3 European Film award nominations, was nominated for an Independent Spirit award, among many other honors. Roger Ebert gave it a 3.5/4 star review, translating to 4 notches over this one. McQueen returned with 3 shorts prior to his theatrical return with Shame (2011). Fassbender returned in Eden Lake (2008); Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones (2012-19)) in Paris Noir (2008, short), Atlantic (2008, short) and theatrically in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008). Hunger is certified fresh at 90 % with a 7.80/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Hunger?

Song for a Raggy Boy (2003) - Walsh's adaptation of reforming a Catholic reformatory school is moving and well-acted

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+ Best Box Office Disaster of the Year + Best Irish Movie of the Year

The limitation of color seems to imply something troubling on this sparse poster for Aisling Walsh's Song for a Raggy Boy

We are at an Irish Catholic reformatory school for troubled boys. The first teacher who does not arrive from the church is now hired, and he is immediately confronted with the tyranny of violence that rules the premises.

Song for a Raggy Boy is written by Kevin Byron Murphy and co-writer/director Aisling Walsh (Joyriders (1988)), adapting the same-titled 1991 autobiographical memoir by Patrick Galvin (The Death of Art O'Leary (1994)).
Aidan Quinn (The Eclipse (2009)) plays the outsider teacher, who begins a fight for radical change, which comes at a significant prize, and one is left to speculate whether his approach was the right one.
Song for a Raggy Boy is a highly sympathetic film about some of the dark sides to Catholicism. Good acting across the board elevates the sometimes banal presentation with moving results.
The story is told very properly; with explanatory (and grim) flashbacks from the Spanish Civil War and brutal scenes of violence. There is an overly sugared ending, but Song for a Raggy Boy is a distinguished effort for all involved nevertheless.

Related posts:

2003 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II] 

2003 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]

 

Watch a 1 minute clip from the film here, with Spanish subtitles

Cost: Reportedly around 4.1 mil. $
Box office: Reportedly 783k $
= Box office disaster (returned only around 0.19 times its cost)
[Song for a Raggy Boy premiered 19 January (Sundance Film Festival, Utah) and runs 100 minutes. Getting the project made took 4 years. Shooting took place in Ireland. The film reportedly made 751k $ (95.9 % of the total gross) in the UK, 31k $ in Italy and less than 1k $ in Belgium, the last market on the gross list, though it was released in more countries. The budget is known from a sheet from the Danish Film Institute, who supported the production. Walsh returned with 2 TV and a segment project before hitting theaters solo again with The Daisy Chain (2008). Quinn returned in Freedom: A History of Us (2003, TV-series documentary), Plainsong (2004, TV movie) and theatrically in Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (2004); Iain Glen (The Iron Lady (2011)) in Spy Sorge (2003). 3,550 IMDb users have given Song for a Raggy Boy a 7.6/10 average rating.]

What do you think of Song for a Raggy Boy?

The Lobster (2015) - Lantimos' absurd, hilarious, out of this world relationship fantasy

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+ 2nd Best Movie of the Year
+ Best Animal Movie of the Year

Colin Farrell looks not exactly hopeful embracing someone who has been erased on this mysterious poster for Yorgos Lanthimos' The Lobster

A single man checks into a hotel for singles. Here he is to find a partner within 45 days, - or suffer transformation into an animal.

The Lobster is the 5th film from Greek master filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos (My Best Friend/O kalyteros mou filos (2001)), co-written with Efthymis Filippou (Alps/Alpeis (2011)). The grotesque premise above delivers material for a divine absurd-comedy, making The Lobster likely the year's funniest film.
But behind the original and eccentric universe also clearly lie many dark and rather cynical observations about humans, our behavior, marriage, single life, monogamy and death. This altogether makes The Lobster a thoroughly unique and fantastic experience, which bears the distinct Lanthimos stamp of poignant, alienated absurdity.
The film has less sex and violence than his biggest success preceding it, the provocative Dogtooth/Kynodontas (2009), which broadens its appeal. So do the cast of international stars, obviously:
Colin Farrell (Daredevil (2003)) is great in arguably the best role of his career yet; Rachel Weisz (The Brothers Bloom (2008)) is also outstanding, and there are several other very good performances; among them are Ben Whishaw (A Hologram for the King (2016)), John C. Reilly (Carnage (2011)) and Olivia Colman (Peep Show (2003-15)).
SPOILER The ending could be described as a bow out, but in this story and Lanthimos' case, I find it appropriate. - It is a sure conversation starter in a film that should be enjoyed in the company of others. The Lobster is a splendid film and a brilliant director's work.

Related posts:

Yorgos Lanthimos: The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) - Lanthimos' psycho-thriller turns out a twisted Greek tragedy

Top 10: Best fantasy movies reviewed by Film Excess to date

2015 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED IV]

2015 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED III]
 
Dogtooth/Κυνόδοντας (Kynodontas) (2009) - Lanthimos establishes himself internationally with an unsettling family portrait

Watch a trailer for the film here

Cost: 4 mil. €, approximately 4.5 mil. $
Box office: 18 mil. $
= Big hit (returned 4 times the cost)
[The Lobster premiered 15 May (Cannes Film Festival, France, in competition) and runs 118 minutes. Financing came together from 21 companies and governmental support bodies. Shooting took place in Ireland, including Dublin, from March - May 2014. The film opened #23 to a 190k $ first weekend in 4 theaters in North America, where it peaked at #11 and in 560 theaters (different weeks) and grossed 9.1 mil. $ (50.6 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were the UK with 2.3 mil. $ (12.8 %) and France with 0.9 mil. $ (5 %). The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, lost to Kenneth Lonergan for Manchester by the Sea. It was also nominated for a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, won 3 prizes in Cannes, including the jury prize, 2/6 European Film award nominations and many other honors. Lanthimos returned with The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017), again starring Farrell. Farrell returned first in True Detective (2015, TV-series) and theatrically in Solace (2015); Weisz in Youth (2015). The Lobster is certified fresh at 87 % with a 7.6/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of The Lobster?

Love & Friendship (2016) - Stillman, Beckinsale and Co. win bigtime with cynically witty Austen adaptation

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+ Best Comeback Actress of the Year: Kate Beckinsale + Best Huge Hit Movie of the Year + Best Period Movie of the Year

Kate Beckinsale stands out as a sensual beauty with a sly intelligence about her on this appealing poster for Whit Stillman's Love & Friendship

1790s England: The recently widowed Lady Susan is in a tricky situation with a daughter who is ready to be wed off. She decides to pay her in-laws a visit.

Love & Friendship is written and directed by Washingtonian master filmmaker Whit Stillman (Metropolitan (1990)), whose 5th theatrical feature it is, adapting Jane Austen's (Emma (1815)) Lady Susan, written circa 1794 and published posthumously in 1871. The new title is taken from a story by that name, which Austen wrote for her and her family's amusement as a young girl.
Our heroine here is a scheming, shrewd and cunning person, a 'busy woman' of the kind that men the world over are fascinated by but also terrified of. Kate Beckinsale (The Face of an Angel (2014)) has her career's best role to date here, and Chloë Sevigny (Barry Munday (2010)) is also outstanding as he maneuvering friend. The role of über dunce Sir James, SPOILER whom Susan marries in the end, is played with terrific, thrilled ignorance by Tom Bennett (PhoneShop (2009-13)), and Love & Friendship also has other priceless performances.
The dialog is tight and loaded with cynical wit, not unlike some of the films of Joseph L. Mankiewicz like All About Eve (1950) and The Barefoot Contessa (1954), and it makes this period dramedy beg for more than one viewing.
The essence of Love & Friendship is cynical to the degree that it shows us that its title presentations of its main characters are overrated and often not understood to the characters themselves, people operating to serve self-interest or opportunistic openings they encounter. This wisdom is expanded in one of the year's most bubbly and funny films, a refreshingly vigorous, true bull's eye.

Related post:

Whit Stillman: 2016 in films - according to Film Excess [UPDATED III]

2016 in films - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II]

Watch a trailer for the film here

Cost: 3 mil. $
Box office: 21.4 mil. $
= Huge hit (returned 7.13 times the cost)
[Love & Friendship premiered 23 January (Sundance Film Festival, Utah) and runs 93 minutes. Stillman discovered Austen's novel in the late 1990s, but has also cited Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) as an influence on the film. Sienna Miller was first cast in the lead but dropped out in favor of Clint Eastwood's masterpiece American Sniper. Shooting took place in Ireland, including Dublin, in 27 days from February - March 2015. The film opened #31 to a 133k $ first weekend in 4 theaters in North America, where it peaked at #9 and in 826 theaters (different weeks) and grossed 14 mil. $ (65.4 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were the UK with 2.3 mil. $ (10.7 %) and Australia with 1.6 mil. $ (7.5 %). The film won a string of honors but no major awards. Stillman has not announced his next project yet. Beckinsale returned in The Disappointments Room (2016), Sevigny in Antibirth (2016). Love & Friendship is certified fresh at 97 % with an 8.2/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Love & Friendship?

Brooklyn (2015) - Ronan captivates in Crowley's exquisite, soaring period romance drama masterpiece

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+ 3nd Best Movie of the Year
+ Most Deserved Hit of the Year 
+ Best Irish Movie of the Year  
+ Best Period Movie of the Year 
+ Screen Couple of the Year: Saoirse Ronan & Emory Cohen

Saoirse Ronan encapsulates the formidable power of John Crowley's Brooklyn in her look on this poster

In 1951, a young Irishwoman takes the big decision of moving to the US, where she makes a life for herself and falls in love, until an event in her family drives her back home again.

Don't judge Brooklyn out based on the possibly a bit unassuming quality of its poster and trailer; the film is pure gold!
Saoirse Ronan (Death Defying Acts (2007)) breaks out as a true star here, and she (and her incredible blue eyes along with her) simply becomes the moving Eilis Lacey here. She and Emory Cohen (Afterschool (2008)) as her Italian-American beau suit each other and the silver screen magnificently and seem destined to be the year's best movie pairing. Jim Broadbent (Another Year (2010)) also deserves singling out; here he is great as a priest.
Brooklyn has elegant, simple production design (by François Séguin (The Karate Kid (2010)) and photography by Yves Bélanger (Demolition (2015)) and a beautiful, Irish-inspired score by Michael Brook (The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)), which seems to play right into our very souls.
Brooklyn is a true winner that moves, inspires, causes recognition and joy, - and transforms your heart into a veritable lump of melting butter. It is written by Nick Hornby (Wild (2014)), based on the same-titled 2009 novel by Colm Tóibín (The Empty Family (2010)), and is the 5th feature directed by Irish master filmmaker John Crowley (Intermission (2003)).

Related posts:

2015 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED IV]

2015 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED III]
2015 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II]

Watch a trailer for the film here

Cost: 11 mil. $
Box office: 62 mil. $
= Huge hit
[Brooklyn premiered 26 January (Sundance) and runs 112 minutes. Shooting took place from March - April 2014 in Ireland, including Dublin, New York and in Montreal, Canada, which doubled for Brooklyn. Funding came together as a puzzle from no less than 20 companies and governmental bodies. The film opened #30 to a 187k $ first weekend in 5 theaters (a solid 37k $ average) in North America, where it spread to peak at #9 and in 947 theaters (different weeks) and grossed 38.3 mil. $ (61.8 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were the UK with 8.5 mil. $ (13.7 %) and Australia with 4.5 mil. $ (7.3 %). The film was nominated for 3 Oscars: Best Film, lost to the great Spotlight, Best Actress (Ronan), lost to Brie Larson in masterpiece Room, and Best Adapted Screenplay (Hornby), lost to Charles Randolph and Adam McKay for masterpiece The Big Short. The film was also nominated for a Golden Globe, won 1 out of 6 BAFTA nominations, 1 out of 5 British Independent Film Awards, 2 out of 7 Irish Film and TV Awards and many other awards and honors. In Canada, which was one of the countries behind the film, it was the highest-grossing Canadian or part-Canadian film of 2015, making 4 mil. C$. In Ireland, it had the biggest opening (650k $) for an Irish or part-Irish film since 1996's Michael Collins. The film ranked on more than 120 film critics' Top 10 lists of the year. Crowley followed up his success with directing two episodes of True Detective's 2015 S2. His next feature is the much bigger (40 mil. $) budgeted drama The Goldfinch, starring Ansel Elgort and Aneurin Barnard, which is in pre-production. Brooklyn is certified fresh at 96 % with an 8.4/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Brooklyn?