Dancing at Lughnasa (1998) 6.3
Five unmarried sisters make the most of their simple existence in rural Ireland in the 1930s. Director:Pat O'Connor |
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Dancing at Lughnasa (1998) 6.3
Five unmarried sisters make the most of their simple existence in rural Ireland in the 1930s. Director:Pat O'Connor |
|
Watch Trailer 0Share... |
Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Gerard McSorley | ... |
Narration by
(voice)
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Meryl Streep | ... | ||
Michael Gambon | ... |
Father Jack Mundy
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Catherine McCormack | ... |
Christina Mundy
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Kathy Burke | ... |
Maggie Mundy
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Sophie Thompson | ... |
Rose Mundy
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Brid Brennan | ... |
Agnes Mundy
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Rhys Ifans | ... |
Gerry Evans
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Darrell Johnston | ... |
Michael Mundy
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Lorcan Cranitch | ... |
Danny Bradley
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John Kavanagh | ... |
Father Carlin
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Marie Mullen | ... |
Vera McLoughlin
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Dawn Bradfield | ... |
Sophia McLoughlin
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Peter Gowen | ... |
Austin Morgan
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Kate O'Toole | ... |
Chemist
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A young boy tells the story of growing up in a fatherless home with his unmarried mother and four spinster aunts in 1930's Ireland. Each of the five women, different from the other in temperament and capability, is the emotional support system, although at times reluctantly, for each other, with the eldest assuming the role of a 'somewhat meddling' overseer. But then into this comes an elderly brother, a priest too senile to perform his clerical functions, who has "come home to die" after a lifetime in Africa; as well, there also arrives the boy's father, riding up on a motorcycle, only to announce that he's on his way to Spain to fight against Franco. Nevertheless, life goes on for the five sisters, although undeniably affected by the presence of the two men, they continue to cope as a close-knit unit... until something happens that disrupts the very fabric of that cohesiveness beyond repair. Written by BOB STEBBINS <stebinsbob@aol.com>
The acclaimed stage play from Brian Friel has been successfully adapted for the screen in this visual treat from Pat O'Connor. The beautiful landscapes of Donegal do not smother the intelligent performances such as from Meryl Streep (Kate Mundy), Catherine McCormack (Christine Mundy) and Rhys Ifans (Gerry Evans). Those critics who have condemned the movie for being simple and about ordinary people seem to miss the point. This is meant to be a simple story about ordinary people - and that is why it is so moving! More importantly though - 'Dancing at Lughnasa' is also entertaining and really deserved better than the mixed reviews on initial release.