Genres

Visitors Review

2012-05-16 17:34:10

(4.5) Fun Irish romp

Saw this film playing at some second rate movie theater for around a dollar or so. And for the record, I love second rate movie theaters. Im also becoming a fan of Cillian Murphy after watching him in Danny Boyle's "28 Days Later", am accustomed to seeing Colin Farrell here and there, remember seeing Shirley Henderson and Kelly MacDonald in "Trainspotting", and Colm Meaney usually plays interesting characters in all his films. I also drink lots of Guinness, so I figured I'd give this a try.What I saw was a film based on multiple stories tied together by chance meetings, irony, stupidity, and just plain old luck. Each little scenario affected the entire picture in one way or another. This type of plot and storyline has been done many many times. Some films have had great success and fun with it ("Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels", "Run Lola Run", for example) and some didnt really work, or had too much going on ("Happenstance"). Since the plot is more or less recycled and cliched, the film's success or failure depends mostly on the performances, the characters, and the crazy twists and turns.With that said, this film was pretty enjoyable, silly at some points, but overall well done. The talent I mentioned above all acted well, especially Colin Farrell, who seemed to be really free and relaxed speaking...the way he normally speaks, I guess. The characters were also interesing enough to keep everything flowing smoothly. Irish accents are fun, too, even though once in a while a few lines of dialogue are nearly impossible to understand. I dont know an overly large amount about the Irish culture, but everything seemed basically believeable. I do listen to Clannad and go to pubs, though, so that earned me some points. The environments were beautiful, from crowded downtown scenes to pubs to the rolling green hills. A lot of the humor I found highly entertaining, although I can see where others may not, because some of it is borderline evil humor. The music fit well, with both UK and Irish artists playing in the background. Colin Farrell's version of "I Fought the Law" is fun, too, and is definitely a worthy remake, right up there with The Clash, Dead Kennedys, and Mike Ness versions.I really liked the Irish twist to the fimiliar plot, and the characters were fun, along with the brown sauce in the coffee and all the Guinness being consumed. I dont know whatll be on the DVD when it arrives in October, but Ill still get it. I encourage you to check out this film.

edwagreen 2012-05-16 04:02:36

Intermission-Make it A Permanent One 0*

A terrible film which is supposed to be an independent one. It neededsome dependence on something.This totally miserable film deals with the interactions among Irishpeople. Were they trying to imitate the wonderful film "Crash?" If so,this film crashed entirely.There is just too much going on here culminated by a little bratrunning around and throwing rocks into buses and cars which obviouslycause mayhem.The film is just too choppy to work. One woman loses her husband after14 years to another while her younger sister is ripped off by a suitor.This causes the former sister to become a bitter vetch and walk aroundin clothes not worth believing. The older sister also becomesembittered but soon finds romance.Then, we have 3 losers who purchase masks to rob a bank. Obviously, therobbery goes awry but there doesn't seem to be any punishment for thecrooks. Perhaps, the punishment should have been on the writers forfailure to create a cohesive film.

Marcy Dermansky 2012-05-13 12:42:07

Always rich in ambience.

Lou Lumenick 2012-05-12 22:50:20

First-time director John Crowley and novice screenwriter Mark O'Rowe -- both Irish theater veterans -- make impressive movie debuts as they sketch a huge gallery of colorful characters, beautifully portrayed by a top-drawer cast.

mashboo 2012-05-09 11:54:13

Funniest movie in a long time

I laughed more at this movie than I have in a long time. When I readthe synopsis on the DVD rental, I thought, this will be marginal atbest, but gave it a try. Colin Farrell, while the show's big headliner,had just as much of a role as other actors in this movie. I onlyrecognized a few other actors - Colm Meaney (Star Trek) and ShirleyHenderson (Moaning Myrtle in Harry Potter) were also in this flick. Butall of the actors really brought the humor to this show.With typical British humor, multiple plots are tied together withinnuendo abounding. I had to use the subtitles on the DVD because ofthe accents, and actually had to work a little at it to understand someof the terms - like a "ronnie" - but this film sets up the scenesperfectly. Stay on top of the situations and who is involved in each ofthe sub-plots and you will find yourself belly-laughing. I may actuallybuy this DVD....

antoniotierno 2012-05-09 01:03:53

unusual movie

Watched this movie to see Colin Farrel struggling again with an Irishproduction filmed in his beloved Dublin. Very pleasant, light and wellacted; it recounts many people handling of their disappointing lives (exceptfor Farrel who seems satisfied with what he does). All their storieseventually cross in a plot blending love, mobbing, sexual and jobunsatisfaction but everything is really convincing... The picture couldremind a bit of Ken Loach style for its telling about lack of money and of agood job pushing people to do bad things but it's definitely less committed.Great Colin Farrel: after many Hollywood productions still acting in a lowbudget picture with great results

v-deniso 2012-05-06 11:14:38

Don't take stereotypes of lucky charms and pots of gold with you to see this film

As a result of what the previous reviewer had to say about this movieit really goes to show that to understand this flick and many otherslike it (The Commitments, The Van etc) you really do need to either beIrish or have spent enough time there or with Irish people tounderstand the Dublin/Irish culture.) Because its a far cry from thethe foreign idea that was thrown around with films like Far and Awayand The Quiet Man. Ireland is a 21st century country with 21st centuryproblems like everywhere else. This film is very much tongue in cheekand pokes fun where it can. Worth while seeing yet maybe not reallyworth seeing twice

johnnyboyz 2012-05-05 16:39:50

It does what it sets out to do in all its flashy, disposable glory.

It would seem even the Irish are getting in on the act of coming upwith their own 'Pulp Fiction'. Is it too naive to underpin Pulp Fictionas the one film from the last dozen or so years that has had the mostinfluence on the crime genre as a whole? The British, through GuyRitchie, made Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels; I frequently hearRun Lola Run toted as Germany's answer to the quick witted,postmodernist roller coaster of ever-entwining story equilibriums andfrom South America; City of God in its equally brutal, intriguing buthumbling glory. Is Intermission a particularly great film? Not at all.But does it lead you down a relatively enjoyable crime-fuelled road ofquick wit; young and criminal minded people getting into all sorts ofmischief and general disposable pleasure? I would say so.The real occasions during which Intermission goes off on one anddoesn't generally work is when it delves into humour that revolvesaround either sex or relationships. One such strand to the film sees acharacter named John, played by Cillian Murphy, getting over his breakup with a girl. If I list the events that follow this then you'll readthat later on, the characters will visit a nightclub full of middleaged women in an attempt to 'meet' one of them and at other times wewill witness others pleasuring themselves to pornography. These are theoverall failings of the film; a segment that tries to make sex orthemes of a sexual nature 'quite funny' and it just fails for anyonenot familiar with the dry and tasteless humour usually found in atabloid newspaper.But when Intermission isn't dealing with John and his buddy, it focuseson a couple of other colourful characters in and around Dublin. Ben(O'Suilleabhain) is an ambitious TV director-come-journalist lookingfor a genuine story in order to break into the industry; while ColinFarrell is a young and charming thief named Lehiff whose introductionacts as the film's opening scene and perfectly sets up thesmash-and-grab, juxtaposed content, wannabe thrill ride the film isoverall. Additionaly, Colm Meaney plays policeman Jerry Lynch who'salways got his eye on things and has run ins with mostly everyone as hekeeps the peace.In truth, the film is a little empty headed and doesn't provide thenecessary wit nor the grimy look Lock, Stock did; nor does it shock usor act as a frightening yet enlightening look into a foreign culture asseen in City of God. The film flicks between being a heavy duty crimefilm in which women are beaten and their places of business are robbedwhilst hard bodied crime genre caricatures have heated confrontationsbut maintains a light hearted (sometimes light headed) and jovialatmosphere, allowing all the steam out when you wish it wouldn't Thefilm also sees a spectacular bus crash pretty early on, on which Sally(Henderson) feels the effects of low self esteem through constantaccusation she has a slight tash above her mouth. There is a certainamount of jealousy reserved for her sister Deirdre (Macdonald), who'slinked to John from earlier having just broken up with him. In additionto this, Sam (McElhatton) is a middle aged man who abruptly leaves hiswife. There's a lot going on in Intermission, or at least it sounds likethere is. The entire film is crammed down into just over an hour and ahalf, with a fair balance given to each character as their desperatesituations play out and they engage with one another. This isn't alove/hate film; it's not a sprawling film about questioning one's rolein life and society as everything else seems to fall apart around youalá Magnolia. Intermission knows its place. It's a grubby and grimylittle pulp magazine that bites off more than it can chew; doesn'treally make a study out of any of it, but chews to the best of itsability and downs it all without a fuss.The trouble is, with so much of this going on and all of it to cram in,the scenes in which you really feel immersed in the experience don'tlast that long. Certain things happen and one thing leads to anotherbefore a group of characters are holding a hostage as someone else mustrob a place of business. Other times, I wanted to see more of Farrell'scharacter. Instead, the film has to rely on young kids of about tenyears old swearing to get across whatever few laughs there should be.The film feels it has the right to dip into ideas of divorce;sisterhood bonding; break ups and loneliness but then invites us tolaugh at a middle aged woman attempting rough sex with someone they'vejust met and it's just disjointed. While the film is nothing special,it is disposable nonsense that proves Pulp Fiction's influence on acrop of film-makers more than anything. For people wanting something alittle more mature, look elsewhere.

misha-lemass 2012-04-30 01:37:06

Dublin, warts and all

You would never think it from watching movies set in Dublin, but mostDubliners don't live in public housing projects, or talk with thatgodawfulnasal whine euphemistically known as a Dublin accent (just like not allLondoners are cockneys.) Unfortunately, thanks to Roddy Doyle and hispotboilers, "gurrier chic" is all the rage. The "gurrier with the heart ofgold" is the new cinematic cliche and all the uglier, seamier aspects oflife in working-class Dublin - the joyriding gangs, the drugs andviolence,the staggering levels of racism against new immigrants, the mindless apingof all that's worst about English and US mass "culture" - are airbrushedout. Usually the presence of Colm Meaney in a movie is the kiss of death -it guarantees the sort of maudlin Dubbelin-in-de-rare-owl-toymessentimentality that makes me toss my cookies.There's plenty of that in Intermission, but there is also a welcome noteofrealism at times. Brutal mindless thugs like Farrell's character, and thestone-throwing brat, are all too common, as are surly, bovine shopassistants and tinpot-dictator policemen.As for the story, it is wildly implausible and depends totally onover-the-top coincidences. However, it is quite funny and if you are intheright mood you will enjoy it. The sappy ending in the pub almost spoileditfor me, but the scene during the closing credits, featuring Noeleen andherhusband, redeemed it.

Psi 2012-04-29 17:03:15

A pleasant surprise (brief review)

In Dublin, we watch as Colin Farrell's thug, Cillian Murphy's ordinaryJoe and Colm Meaney's detective, among others, try and sort out theirlives, with the help of the people around them.Despite a directorial approach that is heavily reminiscent of DannyBoyle's, John Crowley's film is a breath of fresh air among thedisappointments that continue to populate modern cinema. There isrealism here, but it's not heavily emphasized upon as it is with somany Hollywood productions. Instead, Crowley lets his excellent castand smart script do the work. Sporadic but very effective humoursuccessfully intersperses with the drama and thrills to create a verylikable concoction. You've got to like the latest fact we never knew,as well. Who would have thought that coffee and brown sauce, together,could actually be very drinkable?The DVD contains a brief "making of" featurette, which includesinterviews with the crew and selected cast members.Rating: **** (out of *****)

Kerry Kassow 2012-04-28 20:02:26

Intermission - great!

I loved this movie. It had humour, drama, romance, the lot. Colin Farrelland Colm Meaney were fantastic. I can imagine that viewers who arefamiliarwith Ireland and the Dublin accent will appreciate it most (and be themostforgiving about the swearing!!).

2012-04-28 12:09:57

Not to bad

This review is from: Intermission (DVD) I first so this movie when I was living in Ireland so I decide to buy it, it is funny if you know something about the Irish people.

TSuke23 2012-04-26 19:58:38

Pleasantly Surprised!

Before going to see this movie, I didn't expect much. I just figuredI'd go see a foreign film with Colin Farrell in his natural element.Boy, was I surprised! This movie didn't even star Farrell, as itfocused more around a group of characters whose lives all ironicallyend up crossing each other before the movie is over. This film is astory about love, life, relationships, crime, and it has its ownhilarious brand of Euro-humor. Intermission is filmed in the hand-heldcamera style and location of Bloody Sunday with a plot that drew muchinspiration from Guy Ritchie films and Seinfeld episodes. I wouldrecommend this film to anyone interested in seeing a totallysurprising, unexpecting, hilarious movie.

2012-04-26 13:21:29

Life and Love's Frustrations in the Irish Style.

"Intermission" is a collection of intertwined story lines set in Dublin, Ireland, all somehow connected to the break-up, several weeks before, of two characters, Deirdre (Kelly MacDonald) and John (Cillian Murphy). Deirdre has found a new man, Sam (Michael McElhatton). John is regretting leaving her. John's best friend, Oscar (David Wilmot) is desperately seeking companionship, Deirdre's sister Sally (Shirley Henderson) is avoiding it. Sam's wife is furious. And an egotistical police officer, Jerry Lynch (Colm Meaney), is pursuing career criminal Lehiff (Colin Farrell) and personal fame. "Intermission"'s cast is a Who's Who of talented young Irish thespians, with a few Brits thrown in the mix. Quirky but somehow true-to-life Irish films about friends and family have somehow become a genre unto themselves. This is one of those. There's nothing surprising about "Intermission", but it does take enough unpredictable turns to keep it interesting. True to the genre, the characters aren't smart or even especially interesting on the face of it. But the dialogue is engaging. The situations are funny. These people's anxieties, neuroses, and disappointments ring true. Add a charismatic young cast, and you have a pretty entertaining movie.The DVD: Bonus features include 2 deleted scenes and a theatrical trailer. The deleted scenes are essentially redundant and not worth your time. Subtitles are available in English and Spanish.

coyote_heart 2012-04-22 12:20:53

Twisted, yet amusing

I have a habit of picking up films at the local DVD rental place that Ihave heard nothing about, yet have plot and/or a story that I findinteresting. I enjoyed this film immensely. It was fun to see ColmMeany play an utterly unsympathetic character, so unlike his characterin "The Van". I enjoyed the twists and turns, the intersecting storylines. I liked how Colin Farrell played a character who had no morals,yet he was able to build sympathy just through his utter bungling.Favorite part : The use of Clannad's music as a plot devicerepresenting the strength of the Irish warrior soul. And what happenswhen that music gets stolen. Great fun.

jobey-3 2012-04-22 05:25:04

Refreshing escape from typical movies...

i agree almost completely with renodc's comments. i think i liked itjust a touch more. i agree that the dialog was refreshingly witty andinteresting, and i loved the subtle nuances brought into the dialog,like the whole background story and bit with the brown sauce i thoughtwas a great addition to the movie, as well as the mustache bit withsally, and the paralyzed old man in the pub. the character developmentwas surprisingly good for the amount of story lines and characters init, and this was due i think to the variety of types of characters inthe film as well as the good acting.i, too, suggest subtitles; withing the first few minutes of the openingscene my wife and i rewound and put on subtitles. we've spent time inireland and have many thick accented irish friends, but this at timeswas too thick for us, which added to the romance and authenticity ofthe film. this was part of the enjoyment for us was hearing real dialogthat wasn't "hollywoodized" for the mainstream market. there are manyfiner points of the dialog that would require a basic knowledge ofirish culture/slang.recommended if you like interesting and different movies.

film_ophile 2012-04-12 17:25:31

who gives a hoot?

Aside from a few laughs towards the end of this film, this felt like areal waste of time. Yes, the film was competently written, directed,filmed, but those basics are not enough. From the beginning, as we areintroduced, rapid fire, to the host of male schmucks at this film'scenter,I felt only repulsion. I stayed with the film because some ofthe female characters are interesting and I was hoping that thingswould develop to make me care about SOMEBODY, ANYBODY! That did nothappen.I see a very large number of films every year; there are veryfew about which I feel this negative.Bad choice on my part to see it;don't waste your time making the same mistake.

Scott Foundas 2012-04-12 03:48:14

A fairly saccharine collage of self-redemptive gestures and happy endings that, true to its title, only fitfully compels.

2012-04-10 18:21:34

Irish film making at the top of its game.

We Irish are always underestimated when it comes to film making. Off course Hollywood owns the film industry, but in my opinion i think its lost the plot. Foriegn films from the east are creepin in and even around europe films are becoming known. (Anybody who liked Intermission, I recommend renting "The General", another interesting film set here in Dublin.)The funny thing is living in Dublin myself I can actually say tha this film is true. This is a look at Irish culture. I really liked this film and I though it was one of the funniest films i have seen in a long time. I hope there more films like this approaching as they are the new up and coming style in the industry.

Kat0703 2012-04-10 14:28:54

Pretty Good Movie. If you Haven't Seen It, and Ur concerned about anything, READ THIS!

BE WARNED.There is some sexuality such as masturbation, a lot of sexualreferences. But no nudity. It has a very good story line to an extent.A lot! of Profainty. Characters Killed and Wounded.There is somesexuality such as masturbation, a lot of sexual references. But nonudity. A very ferocious and Violent film. Women are punched. Theacting is very natural and poise. Although, mostly ALL characters haveextremely STRONG Irish accents and at some points, hard to understand.A few of the reasons I enjoyed the film is because of it's "humorouscharm." It is a romantic comedy the fills the description. I recommendthis film to the adults out there who fancy comedy and romance.