Rachel Faith

Ode to Ultimate Irish Director, Storyteller Jim Sheridan

HollywoodChicago.com — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 23:58:46 -0700

HOLLYWOOD – What better way to wrap up a series of film columns on the Irish (earlier reading: part one; part two) than with an ode to the ultimate Irish storyteller? Dublin-born Jim Sheridan has brought some of the most influential Irish films to the big screen.

His writer-director ways paid off in spades when he was nominated for an Oscar at the age of 40 on his first film attempt, “My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown,” in 1989.

The mission of Rachel Faith – the Hollywood-based Silver Screen Indie Queen for HollywoodChicago.com – is to help avoid the “beige” film experience by providing easily accessible information on indie film, film festival favorites and must-see Hollywood classics. At the end of the day, it’s all about turning people onto new and different films using the Indie Queen’s film geekdom for good and not evil.

It tells the story of Irish painter Christy Brown who was born with cerebral palsy. With the help and love from his strong-willed mother (Brenda Fricker), Brown trained himself to become an accomplished artist, writer and poet with only the use of – you guessed it – his left foot.

Though Sheridan didn’t take home the statue, he did help put himself – along with little-known actor at the time Daniel Day-Lewis – on the map. Both Day-Lewis and Fricker won Oscars for their performances.

“My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown” helped blaze the path onto his next film – “The Field” in 1990 – which starred Richard Harris. Harris also received an Oscar nomination for his performance as “Bull” McCabe.

However, this film was not as widely received. I personally didn’t care for it, but since I can’t get the damn thing out of my head, it certainly struck some sort of chord and was by no means a waste of time.

Writer and director Jim Sheridan on May 9, 2003.
Photo credit: Jeff Vespa, WireImage.com

I’m not alone in my indifference to this film as it did little for Sheridan except to secure his next project: “In the Name of the Father” in 1993.

Along with a badass soundtrack (with the likes of U2 and Sinead O’Connor), Sheridan brought another piece of Irish injustice to the big screen: the story of the Guildford Four and the Maguire Seven.

Daniel Day-Lewis (DDL) again joined forces with Sheridan and starred as slacker Gerry Conlin (whose only guilt was smokin’ a little too much dope and petty thievery). When his latest shenanigans prove to be the final straw for the IRA, his father steps in to send him to family in London.

Unfortunately, Gerry has a bad case of the “wrong place at the wrong time” and along with four others is picked up and coerced into confessing to an IRA bombing that none of them committed. Not only are the four thrown in jail but Gerry’s father, aunt and cousins are all tried and committed.

Though this film picked up seven Oscar nominations, still no dice. The tape is thin on my VHS copy due to my love of this film and I’m a serial “rewatcher” when it comes to the DDL.

The movie poster for the Jim Sheridan-directed film “My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown”.
Image credit: IMDb

Though Sheridan wrote a bit during this “break,” he didn’t resurface until “The Boxer” in 1997. This is one of those films I get in arguments about all the time. I’m sticking to my guns and saying though it is a bit long – yes, I’m admitting it’s long! – it’s a fantastic story with stellar performances.

“The Boxer” is well worth the price of admission. With Emily Watson and the DDL in his third collaboration with Sheridan, it’s truly impossible for it to be bad by any means.

This brings us to my favorite and the film that inspired this column in the first place: “In America” (2002). The swooning starts whenever it’s brought up in conversation, which proves the amount of hearts the endeavor has touched.

Its writing collaboration by all the Sheridans (Jim wrote with daughters Naomi and Kirsten) proves perfection.

Paddy Considine plays Johnny: the father who’s determined to provide a better life for his family. His acting dances gracefully with Samantha Morton who in my opinion walks on water in her spare time.

Everyone from the kids (played by real-life sisters Sarah and Emma Bolger) to the recluse and frightening-then-lovable neighbor Djimon Hounsou keep you entranced with their performances. You don’t just have tears in this flick. You break down and downright sob.

Then we have the shock that was heard around the world with “Get Rich or Die Tryin’” (2005). While this choice confused the hell out of everyone, legendary critic Roger Ebert stands his ground and confirms Sheridan’s ability to direct actors and create characters. Sheridan’s directing abilities were never in question as his way with actors proved to be successful and award worthy after all.

By RACHEL FAITH
Hollywood Correspondent
HollywoodChicago.com
rachel@hollywoodchicago.com

Top Five Irish Films: ‘Into the West,’ ‘Once,’ ‘The Commitments,’ ‘Bloody Sunday,’ ‘The Wind That Shakes the Barley’

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 22:06:23 -0700

HOLLYWOOD – Someone once said there are two kinds of people: “Those who are Irish and those who wish they were Irish.” While mom claimed I was the first, being an American for a few generations tossed me into the “mutt” category. If there truly is Irish in me, it’s in my big toe or my ring finger, which hardly makes me the Irish lass I had hoped.

At the end of the day, who wouldn’t want to be at least a toenail’s bit of Irish? Following last week’s column on my top five Irish actors, here are my top five Irish films.

“Into the West” (1993), directed by Mike Newell

“Into the West”
Image credit: IMDb

Written by Jimmy Sheridan, this film has elements that generally make me eject the DVD and throw it across the room. It’s a horse movie and there’s not much I despise more than a good, old-fashioned horse movie.

Also, it’s an American playing Irish, but luckily Ellen Barkin’s performance was good and her accent didn’t cause my ears to bleed. The story follows two boys born with traveling in their blood. Life to them is living off the dole and dealing with their drinking father – played by Gabriel Byrne – who hasn’t been the same since their mother passed away.

One day in the gray towers of Dublin, a gorgeous white horse shows up to take the boys on the adventure of a lifetime. I fell in love with the boys, their spirits and their ability to breathe life back into their father. OK, I liked the horse, too.

“Once” (2006), directed by John Carney

“Once”
Photo credit: IMDb

This is one of those nuggets that’s truly indie. Made for about $150,000 (our “Once” interviews are here), blood, sweat and “MacGyver”-like tactics, this little train that thought it could in fact did.

Directed by John Carney (Dublin born) and starring non-actors Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová as “boy” and respectively “girl,” “Once” takes you in like a lover.

With an addictive soundtrack that won an Oscar for best song in 2008 for “Falling Slowly,” everyone from Bob Dylan to Steven Spielberg sings its praises. Literally.

“The Commitments” (1991), directed by Alan Parker

“The Commitments”
Photo credit: IMDb

Good ole’ “Mustang Sally” never sounded so good. Cue “The Commitments,” which is a story of an Irish band just wanting to bring their country a lil’ bit of soul.

Between their poverty, home life, tempers and prima donna tactics, this short-lived endeavor brings a wee bit of light to all of their tired lives. Look for Glen Hansard from “Once” in his only acting performance prior to the 2006 breakout film.

“Bloody Sunday” (2002), directed by Paul Greengrass

“Bloody Sunday”
Photo credit: IMDb

This film will make you shake your fists at the heavens and kick the couch with frustration. It’s based on the Jan. 30, 1972 incident of a peace march gone bad when British troops open fire on protesters and leave 13 dead and 14 wounded.

While it’s not exactly the feel-good movie of that year, it’s one that shows the strength of the Irish spirit as well as the reason the IRA had a great many members and supporters. With a unique fade-in, fade-out way of storytelling, it leaves you mesmerized and in tears.

“The Wind That Shakes the Barley” (2006), directed by Ken Loach

“The Wind That Shakes
the Barley”
Photo credit: IMDb

Starring my fave, Cillian Murphy, and a lot fresh-faced actors, Loach brings us to early 20th-century Ireland in the war against the Black and Tans. Two brothers first fight together against the crown until a peace treaty is signed that throws Ireland into a civil war.

The brothers find themselves on different sides with unimaginable decisions to make. All acting is perfection and the cinematography’s breathtaking. It’s not, however, for the weak of heart. After viewing, I found myself rocking back and forth in the fetal position.

So there are my picks. I took a little bit of everything that makes the Irish magical including their ways of storytelling and weaved in folklore, music, politics and family.

While you may think I left out some heavyweights, hang on until next week. Chances are I’ll remedy your hang-ups with my final ode to the Irish filmmaker. Here’s the Silver Screen Indie Queen signing off, and remember: If you don’t like what’s in the theatre, there’s always something from the past to put in your queue.

By RACHEL FAITH
Hollywood Correspondent
HollywoodChicago.com
rachel@hollywoodchicago.com

Top Five Irish Actors: The Old School, New School and Hollywood Dropouts

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:25:11 -0700

HOLLYWOOD – Silver Screen Indie Queen here with some post-St. Patty’s Day film buzz. What better way to start a column than with the Irish? There’s an industry list as long as my arm of actors with Irish American blood including James Cagney, John Cusack and Joan Cusack, Spencer Tracy and even Lindsay Lohan. As for the list of those Irish born and bred, though, now that’s a different story.

After doing a little legwork, I was able to come up with quite an impressive list. Represented we have the old school, the new school and the dropouts who are conquering Hollywood as we speak. So, enjoy this nicely rounded top five list of men who have the drawl and a lil’ shot of punk-rock mentality.

Cillian Murphy: July 30, 2003
Photo credit: IMDb

What better place to start than with my zombie-ass kickin’ No. 1. Ever since “28 Days Later,” we film geeks have paid attention. Indie roles like “Breakfast on Pluto” balanced out his million-dollar smashes like “Batman Begins”.

He’s creepy cute, has the chops and is one of my favorite actor period. Yes, he is no other than Cillian Murphy. Since most of you have seen the zombie and bat movies, step out of that comfort zone and queue up “Sunshine,” “Wind That Shakes the Barley,” and “Intermission”. Now that’s acting.

Pierce Brosnan: May 1, 2005
Jeff Vespa, WireImage.com

Whether he’s Remington Steele or 007, Pierce Brosnan seems to make aging gracefully his hobby. Any film you choose with Pierce he’ll be dapper, but if you want to see a Brosnan you’ve not seen in a while, check out Richard Shepard’s “The Matador”.

While this comedy was overlooked, the only one to blame is the marketing department because this movie made me laugh right off the couch. Think trigger-sloppy hitman beyond his prime with a tad bit of a drinking problem. Makes the victim feel a little more at peace, doesn’t it?

Bad boys Colin Farrell and Jonathan Rhys Meyers share the No. 3 spot for no other reason except there are too many seasoned thespians who can’t possibly be left out. While Colin does the mainstream thing deliciously, don’t miss “The New World” directed by Terence Malick where you see a much calmer and established actor.

On left: Jonathan Rhys Meyers on Jan. 16, 2006; On right: Colin Farrell on Sept. 2, 2007
Left image credit: Steve Granitz, WireImage.com; Right image credit: WireImage.com

Usually when one thinks of King Henry VIII, the piercing eyes of Jonathan Rhys Meyers don’t come to mind.

Colm Meaney: Jan. 28, 2002
Credit: Buena Vista Pictures

Once he stepped into those testosterone-filled boots in the hit series “The Tudors,” though, he has been winning hearts across the globe. I prefer “Velvet Goldmine” because it’s a daring and flawless performance. It seems like everyone has an indie nugget in their closet.

Next we have Colm Meaney. While some of you may not know him by name, you’d recognize that his mug of his anywhere.

You Trekkies will know him from the record 14 seasons of “Star Trek” he’s done, and still, he’s no stranger to the silver screen. He’s done everything from “Die Hard” to “Layer Cake” to Irish indie favorites “The Commitments” and “The Snapper”.

Peter O’Toole: Feb. 11, 2002
Credit: Columbia Pictures

Last but certainly not least we have Peter O’Toole. I hate that I left out important peeps like Ciaran Hinds, Stephen Rea and Gabriel Byrne who truly walk on water, but for the love of Pete: it’s freaking O’Toole!

Run – don’t walk – to your computer and put “The Lion in Winter” at the top of your Netflix queue. Also, make sure to include “Beckett” and this little movie called “Lawrence of Arabia”. Breathe… It’s going to be OK.

So that’s my list and I’m sticking to it. Even if you don’t agree with my order, you can’t disagree with some heavy-hitting talent that has come our way from the Emerald Isle.

Here’s the Indie Queen signing off until next Wednesday for part two on HollywoodChicago.com. Remember: If you don’t like what’s in the theatre, don’t suffer through! Your next favorite movie could be right there in your Netflix (or Blockbuster Online; we don’t show favoritism!) queue.

By RACHEL FAITH
Hollywood Correspondent
HollywoodChicago.com
rachel@hollywoodchicago.com