'WHITE IRISH DRINKERS': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
This is one of those low budget indie films that audiences loved but critics hated. The attention the movie did receive at festivals and other screenings was that of applause and overwhelming approval where as critics mostly trashed the film for being 'overly clichéd'. This is yet another example of what appears to be the system trying to keep everything in it's place. Like any other business Hollywood is ran by corporations and the money makers decide how things go. A large percentage of critics are most likely paid off and untrustworthy. This is a quality film, not a great one but it's definitely a decent well made movie. It does have it's fair share of clichés but so do most films of this genre. The story revolves around an 18 year old aspiring artist in 1975's Brooklyn, who's brother has resorted to crime and friends have turned to taking soul crushing working class jobs. He's ready to move on but doesn't know which way to go. The film was written and directed by veteran TV filmmaker John Gray. The story could have easily been developed into a popular TV movie of the week but Gray adds a nice touch to it that definitely makes it stand out from the rest of it's type.
The film stars Nick Thurston as the wantabe painter. He lives with his mother Margaret (Karen Allen) and father Paddy (Stephen Lang) and practices his art in the basement beneath their apartment, keeping it a secret from everyone but his big brother Danny (Geoff Wigdor). Danny has always taken the beatings of their abusive alcoholic father while Paddy has never laid a hand on Nick. Nick tries to stay away from Danny's criminal plans but he also doesn't want to end up like his soon to be blue-collar friends or his buddy Todd (Zachary Booth), who took a college scholarship (which was unheard of in his neighborhood). He works for a local theater helping the owner, Whitey (Peter Riegert), book local bands. When Whitey books the Rolling Stones for a one hour gig on their way through town it seems like the theater's income problems could be over. Then Brian feels influenced into helping Danny rob the show's loot. He has to deal with tough family love, deciding what he wants to do with his life as well as a possible romance with an old high school crush (Leslie Murphy).
The film is somewhat routine and clichéd but it's involving none the less. The actors are great, especially Thurston and Wigdor (who bears a striking resemblance to Ben Affleck). The more well known supporting players are great as well, especially Lang. It's nice to see Allen and Riegert in another movie together as well (after playing love birds in 'ANIMAL HOUSE' so many years ago, although they don't have any screen time together in this). Gray's writing could use a little polishing maybe but his directing is right on target. He and his cast really make this movie something special, despite it's clichés and somewhat overplayed storyline. It's a fun little character study. Nothing spectacular but I can see why it's a crowd-pleaser and it's not nearly as bad as the critics make it out to be. Never trust the critics.
Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rzBIHq5e3E
This is one of those low budget indie films that audiences loved but critics hated. The attention the movie did receive at festivals and other screenings was that of applause and overwhelming approval where as critics mostly trashed the film for being 'overly clichéd'. This is yet another example of what appears to be the system trying to keep everything in it's place. Like any other business Hollywood is ran by corporations and the money makers decide how things go. A large percentage of critics are most likely paid off and untrustworthy. This is a quality film, not a great one but it's definitely a decent well made movie. It does have it's fair share of clichés but so do most films of this genre. The story revolves around an 18 year old aspiring artist in 1975's Brooklyn, who's brother has resorted to crime and friends have turned to taking soul crushing working class jobs. He's ready to move on but doesn't know which way to go. The film was written and directed by veteran TV filmmaker John Gray. The story could have easily been developed into a popular TV movie of the week but Gray adds a nice touch to it that definitely makes it stand out from the rest of it's type.
The film stars Nick Thurston as the wantabe painter. He lives with his mother Margaret (Karen Allen) and father Paddy (Stephen Lang) and practices his art in the basement beneath their apartment, keeping it a secret from everyone but his big brother Danny (Geoff Wigdor). Danny has always taken the beatings of their abusive alcoholic father while Paddy has never laid a hand on Nick. Nick tries to stay away from Danny's criminal plans but he also doesn't want to end up like his soon to be blue-collar friends or his buddy Todd (Zachary Booth), who took a college scholarship (which was unheard of in his neighborhood). He works for a local theater helping the owner, Whitey (Peter Riegert), book local bands. When Whitey books the Rolling Stones for a one hour gig on their way through town it seems like the theater's income problems could be over. Then Brian feels influenced into helping Danny rob the show's loot. He has to deal with tough family love, deciding what he wants to do with his life as well as a possible romance with an old high school crush (Leslie Murphy).
The film is somewhat routine and clichéd but it's involving none the less. The actors are great, especially Thurston and Wigdor (who bears a striking resemblance to Ben Affleck). The more well known supporting players are great as well, especially Lang. It's nice to see Allen and Riegert in another movie together as well (after playing love birds in 'ANIMAL HOUSE' so many years ago, although they don't have any screen time together in this). Gray's writing could use a little polishing maybe but his directing is right on target. He and his cast really make this movie something special, despite it's clichés and somewhat overplayed storyline. It's a fun little character study. Nothing spectacular but I can see why it's a crowd-pleaser and it's not nearly as bad as the critics make it out to be. Never trust the critics.
Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rzBIHq5e3E