One wonders about the reason for Desmond McKay, the father of the family being at the center of this story, going into the despair he is in, as we meet him. A dominating and stoic wife might be one of the reasons. Frustration at not being able to make a decent living for his family, or just the drink problem that has gotten the best out of his health, or just plain tiredness of seeing life get out of his control.
Cole, the younger member of the family is the only one that seems to be in some kind of control. He is an excellent athlete with what appears to be a future in organized baseball. Unfortunately, his world gets out of his control when he is informed he will have to leave the catholic school he attends and go to the same public school as his brother Terry, a punk that is becoming a real problem. On top of that, his own sister Kathleen has become pregnant.
The young man suffers humiliation the first day of school as Terry demands the pants Cole had borrowed without permission and has to go back home. His beginning in the new school prove to be difficult. Cole is saved when the coach, who sees the potential, decides to give him a break as a pitcher. To make matters worse, on his first date with a girl from school he makes the mistake of killing her pet bird.
Cole decides to ask the owner of an Italian restaurant, Joey, to give him a break. Joey sees an eager young man trying to help his own family. Terry, who is a loose canon had another idea by wanting to rob the place in order to get the money for a new car that Cole had wrecked, with terrible consequences.
Brad Gann is the man responsible for infusing credibility to this story of a working class family in South Boston. In doing so, he gets excellent acting from every one connected with the film. "Black Irish", which evidently did not get a wide distribution, or only was seen at different film festivals, was a surprise when it showed on cable recently. In a way the picture gets unfair comparison with "The Departed", and "Gone Baby, Gone", but in reality this is a drama that paints a credible situation about an Irish family in turmoil.
Brendan Gleeson, the wonderful Irish actor, makes a tremendous impact with his Desmond. By underplaying his role, he gives life to this father whose own world collapses from under him. Melissa Leo, another great actress, is seen as the stoic mother, Margaret. In spite of being married to a man that has not given her a good life, she has stayed to take care of her family. Life has not been kind to either parent though.
Michael Angarano, who is seen as Cole makes an excellent impression. He is a new face in the movies who will go to bigger and better things judging by his work in the movie. Tim Guiry is the rotten brother Terry, a total lost soul without showing any remorse for his actions. Emily VanCamp doesn't have much to do as the pregnant sister. Michael Rispoli, on the other hand is perfect as the good natured restaurant owner that sees goodness in an eager Cole.
"Black Irish" deserves to be seen by a wider audience. Brad Gann seems to be a new force to be reckoned with.
Cole, the younger member of the family is the only one that seems to be in some kind of control. He is an excellent athlete with what appears to be a future in organized baseball. Unfortunately, his world gets out of his control when he is informed he will have to leave the catholic school he attends and go to the same public school as his brother Terry, a punk that is becoming a real problem. On top of that, his own sister Kathleen has become pregnant.
The young man suffers humiliation the first day of school as Terry demands the pants Cole had borrowed without permission and has to go back home. His beginning in the new school prove to be difficult. Cole is saved when the coach, who sees the potential, decides to give him a break as a pitcher. To make matters worse, on his first date with a girl from school he makes the mistake of killing her pet bird.
Cole decides to ask the owner of an Italian restaurant, Joey, to give him a break. Joey sees an eager young man trying to help his own family. Terry, who is a loose canon had another idea by wanting to rob the place in order to get the money for a new car that Cole had wrecked, with terrible consequences.
Brad Gann is the man responsible for infusing credibility to this story of a working class family in South Boston. In doing so, he gets excellent acting from every one connected with the film. "Black Irish", which evidently did not get a wide distribution, or only was seen at different film festivals, was a surprise when it showed on cable recently. In a way the picture gets unfair comparison with "The Departed", and "Gone Baby, Gone", but in reality this is a drama that paints a credible situation about an Irish family in turmoil.
Brendan Gleeson, the wonderful Irish actor, makes a tremendous impact with his Desmond. By underplaying his role, he gives life to this father whose own world collapses from under him. Melissa Leo, another great actress, is seen as the stoic mother, Margaret. In spite of being married to a man that has not given her a good life, she has stayed to take care of her family. Life has not been kind to either parent though.
Michael Angarano, who is seen as Cole makes an excellent impression. He is a new face in the movies who will go to bigger and better things judging by his work in the movie. Tim Guiry is the rotten brother Terry, a total lost soul without showing any remorse for his actions. Emily VanCamp doesn't have much to do as the pregnant sister. Michael Rispoli, on the other hand is perfect as the good natured restaurant owner that sees goodness in an eager Cole.
"Black Irish" deserves to be seen by a wider audience. Brad Gann seems to be a new force to be reckoned with.