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Movies / On DVD / The Commitments
The Commitments

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The Commitments (1991)

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92 %
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Reviews Counted:37

Fresh:34

Rotten:3

Average Rating:7.6/10

Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Alan Parker's THE COMMITMENTS, based on Roddy Doyle's buoyant debut novel, follows the enjoyable travails of a band cobbled together by young Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins), whose vision is to... Alan Parker's THE COMMITMENTS, based on Roddy Doyle's buoyant debut novel, follows the enjoyable travails of a band cobbled together by young Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins), whose vision is to bring soul music to Dublin. After putting an ad in the local paper, Jimmy assembles an unlikely group of musicians who, though nervous, raw, and rough, make music that speaks to something very near the heart of their audience of curious kids and sharp-tongued, sarcastic relatives. As the band nears its big break, egos clash and expectations of fame and fortune start to tear them apart, forcing Jimmy to fight desperately to keep them together. THE COMMITMENTS bubbles over with life, largely on the strength of the young, mostly unknown cast. Andrew Strong shines in the role of the lead singer exuding a volatile and irresistible charisma as he transforms rapidly from an unsure adolescent into an egotistical spotlight hogger. Colm Meaney contributes a hilarious cameo as Jimmy's father (a role that would expand in two later film adaptations of Doyle novels, THE SNAPPER and THE VAN). Pumped along by killer 1960s soul tunes and crackling throughout with quick-witted dialogue, THE COMMITMENTS is an effervescent, affecting tour through working-class Dublin. [More]

Starring: Robert Arkins, Michael Aherne, Angeline Hall, Maria Doyle

Starring: Robert Arkins, Michael Aherne, Angeline Hall, Maria Doyle, Dave Finnegan, Bronagh Gallagher, Felim Gormley, Glen Hansard, Dick Massey, Kenneth McCluskey, Johnny Murphy, Andrew Strong, Alan Parker, Andrea Corr, Jim Corr

Director: Alan Parker

Director: Alan Parker
Screenwriter: Roddy Doyle, Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais
Producer: Lynda Myles, Roger Randall-Cutler

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Nov 2, 1999

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for The Commitments

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Movieline | comment Comment
10/18/08
Movieline

The film offers no message, no solutions, only a great time at the movies.

Full Review Source: TIME Magazine | comment Comment
08/20/08
Richard Corliss
Richard Corliss
TIME Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Does a remarkable job of balancing a feel of lower-class life with the sheer exuberance the music brings.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
06/06/08
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

No review available.

comment Comment
04/06/08
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

This typically slick but largely enjoyable Alan Parker offering is the story of the rise and demise of a young Irish soul band.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
03/10/08
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Director Alan Parker's story of a band of young Dubliners playing American '60s soul is fresh, well-executed and original.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
03/10/08
Variety Staff
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Sharply written and executed with real verve, this is an enduring and enjoyable comedy-drama that showcases some great performances both on and off-stage.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
03/10/08
Channel 4 Film

This is probably Alan Parker's best film, in part because it's one of his most modest.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
03/10/08
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Foul-mouthed, fast-talking and very funny, this is Parker's best to date.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out

No review available.

comment Comment
10/15/05
Chuck O'Leary
Chuck O'Leary
Fantastica Daily

High-energy fun

comment Comment
10/07/05
James Sanford
James Sanford
Kalamazoo Gazette

No review available.

comment Comment
06/30/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

comment Comment
06/03/05
Andy Klein
Andy Klein
Los Angeles CityBeat

No review available.

comment Comment
05/18/05
Nicolas Lacroix
Nicolas Lacroix
EnPrimeur.ca

Has the raw power of a documentary and a driving musical soundtrack.

comment Comment
03/11/05
James Plath
James Plath
Reel.com

Pure pleasure on every level.

Full Review Source: Creative Loafing | comment Comment
03/22/04
Matt Brunson
Matt Brunson
Creative Loafing

Groundwork for The Full Monty school of condescending films about noble blue-collar western Europeans who like their beer dark and their unemployment light.

Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment 2 Comments
03/14/04
Walter Chaw
Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central

If it’s light on meaning, it’s strong at presenting the visceral pleasures of music, which can be extremely difficult to do

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
02/22/04
Mark Athitakis
Mark Athitakis
Filmcritic.com

Alan Parker -- stick to music-related projects! You're great at them!

comment Comment
02/04/04
Gregory Weinkauf
Gregory Weinkauf
New Times

No review available.

comment Comment
10/08/03
Nell Minow
Nell Minow
Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
 
 
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