SnoopyStyle
Michael Connolly (Steven Robertson) suffers from cerebral palsy. He lives quietly in an assisted living home. His speech is mumbled by his handicap. One day, rebellious Rory O'Shea (James McAvoy) arrives. He suffers from muscular dystrophy and he seems to be only one who actually understands Michael. The two begin a friendship. They party and meet Siobhan (Romola Garai). Rory struggles against a panel to receive his Independent Living Allowance. Despite personal issues, Michael asks for money from his father. They hire Siobhan to be their caretaker.I love the friendship between Michael and Rory. There is a problem with Michael. He's perfectly fine but his mumble does slow down the interactions sometimes. It would have also been great to have a disabled actor play Michael. It's an added bonus that would make this stand out. Romola Garai is enchanting. The movie needs more of her and give her character more story. This is a good movie and it could be even better.
mariakolos
This is a touching story about true friendship and an extraordinary strength of mind. The acting - so fine, realistic and shrill - makes it totally worth watching. The Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled. A dull and monotonous flow of Michael's existence is shaken up by the sudden appearance of a vivid and illegally charismatic rebel Rory. Michael suffers from cerebral palsy and consequently has a speech disorder. Their friendship starts from the discovery of chair-bound Rory's ability to understand Michael's speech. Rory persuades Michael to leave Carrigmore for an apartment in Dublin together with the charming nurse Siobhan. Michael steps into a new life full of freedom, unfairness and cruelty. Total Immersion. Every time Michael was trying to say something I felt like it was me, who is just not able to control own body. I was deeply impressed by Rory's rebelliousness, which is partly a way to fight the circumstances. Each his joke is a mockery of his challenging fate. However, it leaves the bitter aftertaste. You feel quite empty and apathetic at first after the story. But then it turns out you feel stronger and more self-sufficient. And you can feel everything so clearly. And you fall in love with your life. Again.
lmmmacleod
The chemistry of this cast is perfect. Kudos to the casting director.I saw the film because of flipping through the channels and landing on free movies on cable. I must have watched it a half dozen times those first few days. Congratulations to the writer and director. Then I had to buy it. I still watch it. It is intense, funny and moving! I saw where Romola Garai won an award and James McAvoy was nominated. James McAvoy should have been nominated for AND won so many awards for his portrayal of Rory O'Shea. He was, to put it simply, brilliant. His performance was smooth and pointed, flawless and flawed, humorous and devastating. Do you enjoy movies where you laugh and cry? This is your film.
dancer-91
This movie left me amazed. and sad. and happy.It's about two men in wheelchairs, who are living their life. that's all I'm gonna say because it really doesn't more.My mom works with people with disabilities and I've seen it really close and it's amazing how this movie portrays the two main characters. I've got nothing bad to say about it. It shows that people with disabilities have feelings, desires, different moods, intelligence, sense of humor etc. They're people as much as we all are. The human in you doesn't disappear even if you can't talk like others.James McAvoy and Steven Robertson make the performances of their lives. They make the characters real and raw. Not too independent or annoying, not too helpless, but enough to make them human. They made me laugh so that my stomach was aching and they also made me cry so that I couldn't see the TV screen.I think everyone should see this movie. It shows that even when things aren't the way you would want them, you can still live your live fully. you just have to do it. live it.
AD
