St. Patrick's Day Movies
Irish films tend to cover a couple of themes, mainly: family, foregiveness, revenge, and the IRA; each of these films tackles one, if not all, of these themes.
1.) The Boondock Saints
Directed by Troy Duffy and starring, Willem Dafoe, Sean Patrick Flannery, Billy Conelly, and Norman Reedus. This 1999 film addresses the themes of loyalty, revenge, guilt, foregiveness, and blood bonds when an Irish family decides to clean up the world by avenging those who have been mistreated.
As to the much discussed sequel, word has been vague, but it looks as though The Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day is going to happen.
2.) State of Grace
If you like films like Gangs of New York and The Godfather, State of Grace is a good St. Patrick's Day film for you. State of Grace tells the story of a group of Irish gangsters in New York City's infamous Hell's Kitchen neighborhood. As with all gangster movies, you'll get a healthy dose of fighting, revenge, alliances and misalliances, and crime.
3.) The Crying Game
Starring one of Ireland's best, Stephen Rea and our own Forest Whitaker, the Crying Game follows a couple of underdog characters trying to navigate through the tyrqannical reign of the IRA. If you're looking for an intense story carried by the weight of it's characters, this is the one for you.
4.) Once
A little lighter in mood and tone, Once is the 2006 hit film about two musicians struggling to make it. Part of the beauty of this film is Director John Carney's commitment to authenticity and intimacy. Carney eases Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (both relatively new to film) into the genre, by capturing stolen real moments, rather than constructing scenes. The soundtrack to this film is as integral to the story as the characters and dialogue, and once again through this medium, Carney captures the truth of Hansard and Irglova's chemistry. Both Hansard and Irglova not only write, sing, and play all of the songs in the film; but they also have since toured together.
Once is a rare melancholy romance that captures the viewer through its verisimilitude rather than emotional manipulation.
5.) In the Name of the Father
Starring Emma Thompson and Daniel Day-Lewis, In the Name of the Father once again addresses the most pertinent theme and travail in Irish culture - the effects of the IRA. In the Name of the Father is the story of a man who finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, and consequently he spends a lifetime paying for it. If you don't mind a heavy theme, this is a good family St. Patrick's Day movie.
6.) My Left Foot
My Left Foot tells the true story of Christy Brown, a man born with Cerebral Palsy, who learned to paint with his left foot. If you like stories about artists, character rich films, or films with a theme of triumph over tragedy, then this is the film for you. Those who enjoyed Frida, will probably like My Left Foot, starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Brenda Fricker, and Alison Whelan.
7.) The Quiet Man
Can't beat a John Ford directed John Wayne film. The Quiet Man is about an American boxer who moves to Ireland and falls in love. Starring: John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.
8.) Borstal Boy
Based on the Brendan Behan novel, Borstal Boy depicts, Irish Writer Brendan Behan's imprisonment following a bombing mission. Set during World War II, Borstal Boy hits on the level of films like Shawshank Redemption and In the Name of the Father. Borstal Boy attempts to show the internal conflict of one who is imprisoned and the interactions between inmates and prison officials. Starring: Shawn Hatosy and Danny Dyer.
9.) The Quare Fellow
Also based on a Brendan Behan play, The Quare Fellow stars the late great Patrick McGoohan, and again, deals with prison life, this time from the perspective of a fledgling Warden.
10.) Circle of Friends
Circle of Friends is a nice alternative to the heavy plot lines of the above mentioned films; if you're looking for a light people story - this film is a better choice. Starry: Chris O'Donnell and Minnie Driver.
Which ever ones you choose for your St. Patrick's Day at-home film festival, I hope you enjoy and don't forget to have a few Guinesses while you do.
Published by Alexandra Morgan
Alexandra Morgan has had a long-standing love affair with the fashion world. She has 4 years experience in fashion writing, has books full of sketches laying around, and has been known to daydream about open... View profile
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1 Comments
Post a CommentSome of the movies are rather negative, and portray the Irish in the worst light. You should include such films as "The Secret of Roan Inish", "Waking Ned Devine,"'Man of Erin", "The Informer," "Michael Collins," and three films in the Irish language with english subtitles, "Mise Éire," "Saoirse," and "Fior Uisce." There is also the documentary, "When Ireland Starved."