While on the surface this appears to be a story that lacks originality but it truthfully tells a true story that ended up challenging Irish laws. Story takes place in Ireland circa 1953 where an unemployed carpenter finds out that his wife has left him for another man and he has to take care of his three kids. Desmond Doyle (Pierce Brosnan) is not only unemployed but a hard drinker and when he is forced to face the courts he has no choice but to surrender his kids where they are placed in orphanages and in the care of nuns. Desmond is led to believe that if he gets a job and cleans up his act he can get them back but the Irish laws state that a single parent cannot raise children by themselves unless the other spouse is dead or signs an agreement.
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
Desmond talks to a lawyer named Michael Beattie (Stephen Rea) who tells him that it's useless but his Irish American friend Nick Barron (Aidan Quinn) decides to take the case and both he and Desmond are interested in the same bar maid Bernadette (Julianna Margulies). After they lose their first trial they decide to go all the way to the Supreme Court to challenge the law and they enlist in the help of a legendary retired lawyer named Tom Connolly (Alan Bates) who guides them through all the phases.
This film is directed by the talented Bruce Beresford who is always good at making films about characters beating the odds or at least trying to survive them. The story is simple but it is based on fact and if certain events and characters seem a tad obvious it's suppose to because the film wants to point out that the ridiculous Irish laws are based on something even more ridiculous...religion. Events such as what takes place in this film were common place during those times and that's why the trial that takes place is so important as it led to many families being reunited. Brosnan is solid here with his performance and his usual suaveness and intelligence are put to the side as he portrays Desmond realistically as a slob and a hot-headed drunk who must change his life if he wants to get his children back. It reminds viewers that he can play other roles and he does it extremely well with this effort. The simplicity of the story enhances the drama that's played out on screen and the strength of the film comes not only from it's performances but from it's deep rooted honesty.
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
Desmond talks to a lawyer named Michael Beattie (Stephen Rea) who tells him that it's useless but his Irish American friend Nick Barron (Aidan Quinn) decides to take the case and both he and Desmond are interested in the same bar maid Bernadette (Julianna Margulies). After they lose their first trial they decide to go all the way to the Supreme Court to challenge the law and they enlist in the help of a legendary retired lawyer named Tom Connolly (Alan Bates) who guides them through all the phases.
This film is directed by the talented Bruce Beresford who is always good at making films about characters beating the odds or at least trying to survive them. The story is simple but it is based on fact and if certain events and characters seem a tad obvious it's suppose to because the film wants to point out that the ridiculous Irish laws are based on something even more ridiculous...religion. Events such as what takes place in this film were common place during those times and that's why the trial that takes place is so important as it led to many families being reunited. Brosnan is solid here with his performance and his usual suaveness and intelligence are put to the side as he portrays Desmond realistically as a slob and a hot-headed drunk who must change his life if he wants to get his children back. It reminds viewers that he can play other roles and he does it extremely well with this effort. The simplicity of the story enhances the drama that's played out on screen and the strength of the film comes not only from it's performances but from it's deep rooted honesty.