Dancing At Lughnasa
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Movie Reviews of Dancing At Lughnasa
Movie Review: Revisiting 'Dancing at Lughnasa'
Summary: 5 Stars
Given the luxury of owning films via DVD collections offers the opportunity to revisit at will the works the viewer found worthy of purchase. Such is the case with the luminous 'Dancing at Lughnasa', a 1998 release by director Pat O'Connor to the tunes of a lilting screenplay by Frank McGuinness based on Brian Friel's 1990 play of the same name. Though low key and not a popular hit at the boxoffice, this is one of those rare films that combines a very simple tale about common folks brought to life by a cast of extraordinary actors.
The story is set in Donnegal, Ireland in 1936 (just before WW II)choked the world) and simply relates the life of a family of five single sisters and the love child of one of them. The action is spare, centering on the visit of their brother home from the missionary work in Uganda inalterably changed from the experience, on the loss of job of the supporting eldest sister, and the return of the errant father of the love child for the summer, and other daily challenges. The stresses and strains these small events play on the sisters is eventually climaxed in the dancing festival that marks the Feast of Lughnasa (a persistent pagan celebration that challenges the very Catholic foundation of the Irish community), a compelling event that parallels the returned priest brother from the mission fields where he has gained insight into the desperate need for community, happiness, dancing and celebration as the essential needs of humankind.
The cast is flawless: Meryl Streep is superb as the elder sister bitterly bound to holding the family together at all costs, Catherine McCormack as the mother of the lovechild, Kathy Burke, Sophie Thompson and Brid Brennan; Michael Gambon as the deranged returned brother; and Rhys Ifans as the errant father of the child. They interact and play like fine chamber music. The brilliantly green and gorgeous countryside is captured eloquently by Kenneth MacMillan. In every aspect of production the film fits like a tightly intertwined puzzle. It simply glows. Revisiting 'Dancing at Lughnasa' is an even finer trip than the first exposure. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, September 06
Movie Review: deliciously melancholy Irish family ballad
Summary: 5 Stars
The boy through whom we generally see this story declares this to be a happy summer, a last summer when they would all be together, his family. In the backdrop is the August celebration of Lughnasa, a pagan festival which troubles the Irish Catholic Christian consciousness and gives the story a nice edge as five sisters labor to keep the family from financial ruin in the late '30s in northeast County Donegal, Ballybeg. Those of us with Irish roots are particularly touched by the tongue and the human struggle, the rhythm of conflict and enmeshed love of a close family--in this case somewhat centered around the homecoming of their elder brother, a priest to Africa, who has dementia. The youngest sister is the mother of the narrator whose father appears out of the blue and stays the summer. Another sister falls in love with a disreputable and abusive man. Fabulous story, sad story, and a most moving ballad sung by the sisters one night, music written by the director of music in the tradition of the old Irish ballads with words from W.B. Yeat's poem. Mr. Whelan's website indicates that "most of the music for the film is an orchestral score performed by the Irish Film Orchestra under the direction of Proinnsias O'Duinn, with the final song, Whelan's setting of the poem "Down By The Salley Gardens" by WB Yeats sung by Dolores Keane" as the final credits roll. Gorgeous--cinematography, characters, story, music...gorgeous.Movie Review: Lovely period piece of Ireland
Summary: 5 Stars
"Dancing at Lughnasa" meanders winningly through a summer in 1936 in Donnegal, Ireland. It's a child's memory of the summer -- with four aunts, an uncle, his unmarried mother,a free spirit father and, always present, the magnificent green countryside of Ireland. A countryside so beautiful that one can hardly believe that suffering could take place there. Still,as the summer slowly unfolds, the viewer takes in the real complexities of the family's life, with worries about food and money and work and love and loneliness and the future. This is not a "message" movie,however. No preaching, thank you very much. The child's story is allowed blossom and speak for itself. And along with the suffering, there are glowing moments of clear pure joy that point the way to what life is really all about.Movie Review: Loved it
Summary: 5 Stars
I ordered this for my Aunt in the USA,i have the movie my self and loved it as it was shot not far from here.She was over the moon with it,Its a very touching story and speaks of that period of time in Ireland and the lives of a family changing with it, in Donegal and many other rural areas of Ireland.Of course, the actors played their parts beautifully and with heart, everyone of them, that goes without saying,If your hearts in the old country you will love this movie and even if it isn't,its story could be anywhere in that period of time or sadly even in the present day.Movie Review: Dancing at Lughnasa
Summary: 5 Stars
I LOVE this movie....firstly because I am Irish and can really relate to the story. Secondly, just to watch Meryl Streep play her role with such a convincing Irish accent,makes me admire her more than ever. Many of my Irish friends can recite lines from the movie off by heart......it is a treasure