We’re a distinct bunch us Irish, aren’t we? We have a certain sense of humour and a certain way of looking at things that really make us unique. This extends to our creative sorts, of which there are many successful ones, who have moved into the world of film.
With the impending release of the Irish flick Life’s a Breeze, we decided to count down some of our favourites. Prepare to shout at the screen in disagreement.
In Bruges (2008)
JOE interviewed Brendan Gleeson once and he didn’t agree with the notion that this is an Irish film, claiming the two characters were originally London cockneys. On the outside we nodded in agreement, but on the inside we begged to differ. Two inherently Irish lead characters played by two of our finest Thespian exports in a film by an immensely talented writer/director, Martin McDonagh, who while not born here is very much an Irishman. The brilliant back and forth between the two main characters and a truly brilliant supporting turn from Ralph Fiennes make this dark, but hilarious film amongst the best of a quality heavy bunch.
The Snapper (1993)
No one curses like Colm Meaney. The man has turned it into an artform and when he spews a “aaaaaaaah me bollocks” or a “Jaaaaaaaysus, Sharon” you can’t help but laugh. Roddy Doyle’s tale of a working class Dublin family thrown into utter disarray by an unexpected pregnancy that is endlessly re-quotable and still very funny to this day. There was actual Oscar talk when the film first was first released, but because it had been broadcast on TV first it ruled it out. Still brilliant.
The Guard (2011)
Written and directed by the talented sibling of In Bruge’s Martin McDonagh, John Michael McDonagh, this superb flick set in the West of Ireland is every bit as irreverent, witty and and well performed as the elder brother’s ace debut. Boasting arguably Gleeson’s best ever performance (you could argue The General, but the man has been great in everything), it’s layered, hilarious and generally hugely entertaining to watch.
In The Name Of The Father (1993)
The film that bagged Daniel Day-Lewis the first of his three well-deserved Best Actor Oscars, In The Name Of The Father tells the true and incredibly powerful tale of the Guildford Four. Day-Lewis, aka The Greatest Actor In The World Ever ™, plays Gerry Conlon, one of the four Irish people who were falsely convicted of the IRA’s Guildford Pub bombings in 1974. Directed by Irish helmer Jim Sheridan, ITNOTF received universal critical acclaim and, to this day, still remains one of the most gripping Irish films ever made.
Plus, you can quote it when the bouncers are throwing you out of Coppers at the end of the night – “Am an innocent maaaaaaaan!!!!”
Once (2007)
Glen Hansard of The Frames fame and song-writing partner Markéta Irglová collaborated with director John Carney to create one of the most beautiful Irish films ever made. Following the will-they-won’t-they relationship of Guy and Girl around Dublin and the Wicklow mountains, Once is a perfectly-crafted love-letter to forbidden crushes, beautiful music-making and Hoovers.
Oh, and it’s packed full of brilliantly written songs that were all specially composed and performed by the two leads. Hansard and Irglová even won an Oscar for their song-scribing exploits and the film has since been adapted into an award-winning musical production in both London and New York, fully deserved for all involved.
Life’s A Breeze will be released in Irish cinemas on 19th July and you can check out the excellent trailer here:
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
