Simply Perfect

People are voting emotionally.

Awesome Movie

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Despite the talent of the assembled cast, my movie experience was, quite simply, awful. The emotional aspect, which many reviewers claim as extremely impactful, did not do it for me. I couldn't engage in the story, and gave up trying to care 3/4th of the way through the movie. I was originally excited to see it, given Streep's fame and reputation, but it fell flat for me in every way possible. The cinematography, the acting, the story itself... in every aspect, it was either forgettable or memorable for all the wrong reasons. It was dull, lacked soul, and left me disappointed with the time I spent watching it. I will not be repeating the experience.

It is set in Ireland where the Mundy family have a few issues and are a bit short of money. Kate, (Meryl Streep) is the mother-hen to her sisters Christina (Catherine McCormack), who has a child (sometimes he narrates some of the story), then there is Maggie (Kathy Burke), Rose, who is a bit 'simple', and Agnes.Their elder brother comes home after a lifetime as a missionary in darkest Africa. He is a bit strange. Then the father of Michael (Christina's boy) Jerry, (Rhys Ifans) comes to say good-bye and announces that he will soon depart for the Spanish civil war. (it is about 1935)This is one of Ifans better roles. He is likable and pleasant. When he first comes, Kate says "He's not coming inside". But Christina rushes outside to meet him, and one of the other sisters says..."They look so happy together". Indeed they do. There is a touching scene as the couple gaze into each others eyes. Very sweet. Streep and McCormack are as usual, so real, they really become their characters, as does Ifans.Later, Rose is courted by a no-good local, "He loves me", she says, to the others protests.Lughnasa is an ancient festival that involves a lot of dancing, and the sisters join in enthusiastically.All the acting is great, and there is nothing wrong with the production and directing. Also, there are some especially good scenes, with memorable dialogue. I liked it.

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 box office, 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.

This movie version is pleasant enough but does not have the power of the stage play upon which it is based. Spoilt brat that I am, I saw the original production at the RNT in 1990 with the amazing Alec McCowen as Uncle Jack. I am a great fan of Michael Gambon, but he is simply miscast in that role for the movie. Not so Meryl Streep, who does a superb overpowering aunt. The delightful Catherine McCormack and Rhys Ifans do a good job of the love interest. This is nevertheless a shadow of the stage play. My better half liked it, but had not seen the stage version. For lovers of Irish drama the film is worth 90 minutes of your time.