Alan Parker's brilliant directing effort on THE COMMITMENTS really shines. More than an entertaining spectacle, it has a whole lot of influence on the soul music circuit. Shots of Dublin city life are nicely photographed. The musical acts are extremely well talented and well done, if only the occasional dialogue breaks didn't interrupt the awesome sound. There could've been some more new tunes instead of old ones, but it's amazing to discover the fictional band's lead singer pull them off out of his lungs. Phenomenal! At least you can try to find the soundtrack album. One thing stands out the best: the casting. We need more of today's movies to do the same thing: to provide creative acting talents. The musical genre of modern Hollywood needed something like this to keep it afloat. Highly recommended!
133 Reviews
For it's time it's a classic
barryhartigan-12 November 2006
The Commiments holds a very unique place in Irish modern movie history. For a start you have to understand that the Dublin that the film was shot in was incredibly bleak in the early '90's. Unemployemt was huge, money was scarce etc. When the film opened in Dublin it was a genuine phenomenon. The biggest cinema in Dublin (The Savoy) showed the picture around the clock on it's opening weekend and it played to pretty much full houses at all shows. I watched, for the 4th time, with a crowd of approx 500 at 6.00am on Sunday and the atmosphere was electric. This was a film we could relate to, it was about us and where we lived. Suffice to say it was a monster hit in Ireland at the time. I was working in the cinema business at the time (managing UCI) and I was lucky enough to be at the premiere. When the cast were introduced one by one the roof lifted. I attended the party where The Commitments (all of them) played in a tiny club on the docks called The Waterfront and to say that was pretty special is an understatement. To this day I'm still friend with Dick Massey (Billy Mooney) and and from to time to time he will remissness about his time with the film. The Commitments only played live together three times, the Dublin premiere, the NY premiere the LA premiere. I saw then in their home town! While the movie is certainly flawed it is still a classic for it's time.
Fun loving and full of life
SnoopyStyle18 August 2014
Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins) is a small time hustler selling pirated tapes and T-shirts. Outspan Foster (Glen Hansard) and Derek Scully (Ken McCluskey) ask Jimmy to manage their wedding band. Jimmy declares that they need to be a hard working Soul band. He puts an ad in the papers and it's a parade of wrong music. His Elvis loving dad (Colm Meaney) doesn't get it. Sax playing Dean Fay (Félim Gormley) is the first brought into the band. Billy Mooney (Dick Massey) is the drummer. Jimmy gets Natalie Murphy (Maria Doyle Kennedy), Imelda Quirke (Angeline Ball) and Bernie McGloughlin (Bronagh Gallagher) as the backup singers. After watching a drunken Deco Cuffe (Andrew Strong) sing at the wedding, he gets him as the lead singer. Joey "The Lips" Fagan (Johnny Murphy) is the womanizing experienced trumpet player who comes up with their name "The Commitments". He hires the volatile Mickah Wallace (Dave Finnegan) as their security.
This is fun. It's great music. The cast is mostly musicians trying their hands at acting. Some of them would become quite interesting. It's based on the first of novelist Roddy Doyle's lower class Barrytown trilogy. It's heart warming and then sadly inevitable. The portrayal of the Irish lower class is one of loving profanity. The one word I would use is life. This movie is full of life. The movie could have ended with something predictable but this way it's poetry.
This is fun. It's great music. The cast is mostly musicians trying their hands at acting. Some of them would become quite interesting. It's based on the first of novelist Roddy Doyle's lower class Barrytown trilogy. It's heart warming and then sadly inevitable. The portrayal of the Irish lower class is one of loving profanity. The one word I would use is life. This movie is full of life. The movie could have ended with something predictable but this way it's poetry.
Funny, heartbreaking and true
madam_Q6 July 2004
Who needs expensive movie stars when a group of unknowns can light up the screen like this lot?
On paper, it sounds like a failure - a cast comprising almost entirely of untrained and untested performers, set in working class Dublin, based on the novella by Roddy Doyle. By God, does it defy expectations.
Jimmy Rabbitte is a working class Dublin lad who's been collecting unemployment benefits for two years. But he dreams of bigger things, namely making it big in the music industry. He sets out to form a soul band, and assembles a motley crew of musicians and singers, most of whom don't know each other and many of whom can't stand each other.
The look of the film is gritty and realistic - nothing is glossed over. North Dublin is presented in all it's glory. The home lives of the band members are depicted warts and all - their private lives set the scene for the inevitable personality clashes that are almost as explosive as the music. In the mix is the unique character of the Irish people - at one point Jimmy enters a tenement block and, as he waits for the lift, looks over to see a boy with a horse. "You aren't taking that in the lift, are you?" he asks. "I have to," the boy replies. "The stairs would kill him."
The real star of the show is the music - this film spawned two hugely successful soundtrack albums. The band members were cast partly due to their musical ability, and the results are superlative. The stand out is Andrew Strong as Deco - would you believe this kid was only 16 when the film was made? His amazing voice belies his tender years, and suggests that he's been smoking a packet a day since the age of about four. At the end of the day with is a fine ensemble piece, much like the band. The acting may be a little wonky at times, but the hysterical dialogue makes up for that.
Most remarkably, this is a feel good film that does not rely on any of the conventional feel good plot devices. There are no group hugs, no plot conveniences, no trite happy endings. Just a shrewdly observed and wittily captured human story about people who dream of making it out of their dreary world. And isn't that something we can all relate to?
On paper, it sounds like a failure - a cast comprising almost entirely of untrained and untested performers, set in working class Dublin, based on the novella by Roddy Doyle. By God, does it defy expectations.
Jimmy Rabbitte is a working class Dublin lad who's been collecting unemployment benefits for two years. But he dreams of bigger things, namely making it big in the music industry. He sets out to form a soul band, and assembles a motley crew of musicians and singers, most of whom don't know each other and many of whom can't stand each other.
The look of the film is gritty and realistic - nothing is glossed over. North Dublin is presented in all it's glory. The home lives of the band members are depicted warts and all - their private lives set the scene for the inevitable personality clashes that are almost as explosive as the music. In the mix is the unique character of the Irish people - at one point Jimmy enters a tenement block and, as he waits for the lift, looks over to see a boy with a horse. "You aren't taking that in the lift, are you?" he asks. "I have to," the boy replies. "The stairs would kill him."
The real star of the show is the music - this film spawned two hugely successful soundtrack albums. The band members were cast partly due to their musical ability, and the results are superlative. The stand out is Andrew Strong as Deco - would you believe this kid was only 16 when the film was made? His amazing voice belies his tender years, and suggests that he's been smoking a packet a day since the age of about four. At the end of the day with is a fine ensemble piece, much like the band. The acting may be a little wonky at times, but the hysterical dialogue makes up for that.
Most remarkably, this is a feel good film that does not rely on any of the conventional feel good plot devices. There are no group hugs, no plot conveniences, no trite happy endings. Just a shrewdly observed and wittily captured human story about people who dream of making it out of their dreary world. And isn't that something we can all relate to?
Funny how the Irish dig Motown...
Adrianne20 May 1999
I've lived in Detroit all my life, and the great soul music of the 1960's and 70's which was created here (and is still enjoyed here) is featured throughout "The Commitments." The Irish lads and lasses really do up the soul staples, from "Try a Little Tenderness" to "Mustang Sally." The actual musical talent is reinforced by the strong character development, industrial setting (North Dublin), and masterful plot, adapted from the novel of the same name by Roddy Doyle. "Say it once, say it loud...I'm black and I'm proud," is never more irreverently humorous than when questionably repeated by Jimmy Rabbite's soul disciples. I own this film, and I could watch it over and over. The soundtrack is excellent, and the pop culture references throughout the movie are hilarious (especially during the audition scene.) This film delighted both the hard-core Detroiter in me, as well as the Irish lass. The working class Irish youth depicted in the movie are sincere, and so is their project, The Commitments. (All the great bands were a "The ...")
Brilliant!
sev12717 May 2005
I first heard of the Commitments when I heard someone playing the soundtrack on their car radio. I quickly bought myself a copy and played it about 10 times a day - the music and the singing were unlike anything I'd ever heard before, even though all the songs are covers.
It wasn't until about 6 months later that the film was on an obscure cable channel, and I literally got goosebumps as soon as the opening credits rolled with "Treat her right". It was so incredible to actually see the characters performing the songs that I'd grown to love. It all became complete actually seeing the story unfold, and by the end you're really rooting for the band to succeed. When they perform "Try a Little Tenderness" I've never managed to watch that scene without tears in my eyes, it's such a fantastic version of the song and the energy Andrew Strong brings to it is just incredible, especially as he was only 16 at the time.
Anyone who loves music has to see this film, even you're not familiar with soul music - I promise you'll be hooked after seeing The Commitments!
It wasn't until about 6 months later that the film was on an obscure cable channel, and I literally got goosebumps as soon as the opening credits rolled with "Treat her right". It was so incredible to actually see the characters performing the songs that I'd grown to love. It all became complete actually seeing the story unfold, and by the end you're really rooting for the band to succeed. When they perform "Try a Little Tenderness" I've never managed to watch that scene without tears in my eyes, it's such a fantastic version of the song and the energy Andrew Strong brings to it is just incredible, especially as he was only 16 at the time.
Anyone who loves music has to see this film, even you're not familiar with soul music - I promise you'll be hooked after seeing The Commitments!
Great Fun
agmoldham22 December 2003
A comedy about the rise and fall of a band in Dublin. This film is really funny and energetic, but you'll probably need to like the music to really enjoy it. The Commitments are a rough and ready group of kids that get together with an aging trumpeter Joey 'The Lips' Fagan. I'm not sure whether the cast were singers or actors before the film, but they're certainly pretty good at both during the film. The band plays 'Black' soul and the films set piece concerts make the story fairly zip along. Joey tells stories about all the famous musicians he's played with, but is he telling the truth ? When he arranges for a jam between the Commitments and Wilson Pickett we are going to find out ... or are we ?
Absolutely great movie
Watcher-3714 August 1999
I love this film. Everything about it might seem like it is just another cliche ridden story about the rise and fall of a band, but this movie is totally different somehow. It rises above anything previous in its genre. The characters are all both interesting, and their personality flaws are used to greatly illustrate the ending of the movie. The writing was superb, and acting from a cast of mostly unknowns top notch. The musical sequences were great, and served as an introduction for me to the songs and artists that they covered. Colm Meaney was hilarious as the very skeptical father of Jimmy.
The Vidiot Reviews...
capone66612 September 2018
The Commitments
Blues music is not popular in Ireland because the Irish have nothing to be miserable about.
That simple reason is why the band in this comedy chose to cover soul music instead.
Determined to prove his prowess as a band manager, young Dubliner Jimmy (Robert Arkins) puts an ad in the newspaper looking for local talent to start a soul band. Among the freaks that audition, he finds some serviceable horn players and back-up singers. After weeks of rehearsal, the band garners some local success. But infighting and affairs threaten to derail Jimmy's dream.
While the songs sung are soul music standards, the new vocal talent behind the melodies brings these classics to life in a new way. Based on the novel by Roddy Doyle, this hilarious toe-tapping adaptation from 1991 still holds up today.
What's more, it's nice to see Irishmen playing instruments that aren't just empty whiskey jugs. Green Light
vidiotreviews.blogspot.ca
Blues music is not popular in Ireland because the Irish have nothing to be miserable about.
That simple reason is why the band in this comedy chose to cover soul music instead.
Determined to prove his prowess as a band manager, young Dubliner Jimmy (Robert Arkins) puts an ad in the newspaper looking for local talent to start a soul band. Among the freaks that audition, he finds some serviceable horn players and back-up singers. After weeks of rehearsal, the band garners some local success. But infighting and affairs threaten to derail Jimmy's dream.
While the songs sung are soul music standards, the new vocal talent behind the melodies brings these classics to life in a new way. Based on the novel by Roddy Doyle, this hilarious toe-tapping adaptation from 1991 still holds up today.
What's more, it's nice to see Irishmen playing instruments that aren't just empty whiskey jugs. Green Light
vidiotreviews.blogspot.ca
"You raised their expectations of life, you lifted their horizons!"
munjak12 March 2004
My one line summary consists of the most profound statement in the movie. "Jimmy "The Lips" Fagin telling "Brother Rabbitte" what he has achieved, when Jimmy thinks he has achieved "Nuttin'".That being said, I am overjoyed at the amount of people giving their wonderful comments about my favorite movie of all time.I can't tell you all the people I've turned on to this movie. I remember I didn't see the movie when it first came out, then they came out with some god-awful TV series kinda based on the movie (Americanized, of course),which,thank god, met a quick & merciful death. I bought the VHS version, then the Laserdisc version, then the DVD, and am now awaiting the 2 disc special DVD, just released, to come in the mail.I have watched this film countless times & never get tired of it. I've even pretty much deciphered the dialogue(try reading the book sometime,if you think the movie is hard to understand!)One of my most prized possessions is a "Commitments" Promotional kit consisting of a "Making of" tape and a booklet about the movie in a photo-illustrated 6x15 box that I bought from a long-closed video store about 10 yrs ago. I also found the ellusive "Commitments Vol.2" CD in a "cut-out" bin about the same time.Anyway,I love the movie, and the whole premise of taking a bunch of unknown,talented, singers & musicians,with pretty much no hope of rising above their surroundings individually,and put them together to form "The Hardest Working Band in Show Business".To me, the highlight & peak of the band(and movie) was when they played "Try a Little Tenderness". It still gives me goosebumps & brings a mist to my eyes,whenever I see it.I'm still in love with Natalie & Imelda!! And Deco(Andrew Strong) only being 16yrs old!!I always hoped there would be a "Part 2", but as Joey said to Jimmy(after the band broke up) "The success of the band was irrelevent.You raised their expectations of life, you lifted their horizons. Sure, we could have been successful, & made albums & stuff, but that would have been predictable. This way...it's poetry". What a wonderful philosophy. That whole scene will never leave my mind.
Irish are the blacks of Europe
lib-47 February 1999
Wonderfully funny and entertaining with a fantastic soundtrack
grantss22 May 2016
Dublin, Ireland. Local entrepreneur Jimmy Rabbitte is putting a band together (which he will manage). Through friends, contacts, auditions and blind luck he puts together his band - The Commitments. He decides what music they will play - soul. We see how the pieces come together, the auditions, the skepticism from his parents, their first rehearsal, how things start to come together and their first few gigs. We also see the relationships in the band, particularly the friction. Soon they are standing on the threshold of stardom.
Wonderfully funny and entertaining with a fantastic soundtrack.
Great plot, based on a book by Roddy Doyle, showing how the average band forms and develops and the internal turmoil. Wonderful dialogue and scenes - incredibly funny, with quotable lines coming thick and fast.
However, the thing that tips the movie over from great to masterpiece is the music. Fantastic music, well made and produced with some great concert scenes to add to the vibe.
Performances from a cast of then-unknowns are spot-on. Great casting, as director Alan Parker would have been going out on a limb with many of them.
Wonderfully vibrant and funny, yet profound, movie.
Wonderfully funny and entertaining with a fantastic soundtrack.
Great plot, based on a book by Roddy Doyle, showing how the average band forms and develops and the internal turmoil. Wonderful dialogue and scenes - incredibly funny, with quotable lines coming thick and fast.
However, the thing that tips the movie over from great to masterpiece is the music. Fantastic music, well made and produced with some great concert scenes to add to the vibe.
Performances from a cast of then-unknowns are spot-on. Great casting, as director Alan Parker would have been going out on a limb with many of them.
Wonderfully vibrant and funny, yet profound, movie.
Good-Natured Story of Irish Rock Band.
rmax30482321 June 2010
Warning: Spoilers
A couple of working class kids in Dublin decide to put together a band that mirrors the soul music of the USA in the 1960s. Not the Beatles, not Elvis, but do-wop and Motown. "The Irish are the blacks of Europe. Dubliners are the blacks of Ireland. And North Enders are the blacks of Dublin!" As they audition other young semi-hoods of varying talents, I kept thinking of what a curious diffusionary path this musical style -- with its African rhythms and call-and-response technique -- had taken: from West Africa, on slave ships to the Southern US, morphed into Christian gospel music, adapted by Detroit, and back across the ocean to Dublin.
It's not a style I groove to. The three young ladies who are backup singers are, by and large, okay, but the lead singers screeches and shouts and weeps with simulated transport. The sidemen on alto sax and trumpet are kewl, however, although one chides the other for spiralling -- "That's JAZZ." It's a movie that elicits smiles rather than laughter. The young folks are all pretty quirky and have problems dealing with unemployment and baby sitting. There's an almost constant use of a word pronounced "fook" or "fewk," which I take to be some kind of Dublin slang, possibly relating to fish and chips.
And there ARE a number of smiles in it. They watch tapes of performances by one of their heroes, James Brown, who does his emoting on stage, then falls to the floor after one particularly strenuous number, as if knee-capped. Aides rush to him, help him to his feet and guide him off stage. "Fluke!", says one of the kids, "Oi'd bust me knees!" Another assures him, "It's all part of the ACT." If you enjoyed "The Full Monte," which appeared six years later, you'll get a kick out of this. Also if you grew up during the Motown era.
It's not a style I groove to. The three young ladies who are backup singers are, by and large, okay, but the lead singers screeches and shouts and weeps with simulated transport. The sidemen on alto sax and trumpet are kewl, however, although one chides the other for spiralling -- "That's JAZZ." It's a movie that elicits smiles rather than laughter. The young folks are all pretty quirky and have problems dealing with unemployment and baby sitting. There's an almost constant use of a word pronounced "fook" or "fewk," which I take to be some kind of Dublin slang, possibly relating to fish and chips.
And there ARE a number of smiles in it. They watch tapes of performances by one of their heroes, James Brown, who does his emoting on stage, then falls to the floor after one particularly strenuous number, as if knee-capped. Aides rush to him, help him to his feet and guide him off stage. "Fluke!", says one of the kids, "Oi'd bust me knees!" Another assures him, "It's all part of the ACT." If you enjoyed "The Full Monte," which appeared six years later, you'll get a kick out of this. Also if you grew up during the Motown era.
Great Music; Not-So-Great Characters
ccthemovieman-113 December 2006
The music makes this a very entertaining film but there are severe drawbacks: at least to people who aren't familiar with the accents or maybe don't approve a the Lord's name in vain or the f-word said every two seconds as the Irish do in this film.
The singers in this film are good, particularly the lead singer who, supposedly, was only 16 years of age when this film was made (but he looks 30). He has a great "soul" voice. The story is interesting and there is some good humor in her, too.
The bad news is that it portrays the Irish as extremely profane people who do nothing but scream at each other and tell each other to f-off. That wears thin after awhile. Everyone says this: young and old. One hopes this isn't representative of the entire country.
The movie also has as one of the characters an older trumpet player who is portrayed as a "religious" man who wears crosses and says the Lord told him to do this and do that. Hen then proceeds to have sex with every female in the group. Talk about anti-religious cheap shot. Well, that's typical of filmmakers.
In a nutshell: great music, fairly interesting story, but profane, blasphemous and full of scummy people.
The singers in this film are good, particularly the lead singer who, supposedly, was only 16 years of age when this film was made (but he looks 30). He has a great "soul" voice. The story is interesting and there is some good humor in her, too.
The bad news is that it portrays the Irish as extremely profane people who do nothing but scream at each other and tell each other to f-off. That wears thin after awhile. Everyone says this: young and old. One hopes this isn't representative of the entire country.
The movie also has as one of the characters an older trumpet player who is portrayed as a "religious" man who wears crosses and says the Lord told him to do this and do that. Hen then proceeds to have sex with every female in the group. Talk about anti-religious cheap shot. Well, that's typical of filmmakers.
In a nutshell: great music, fairly interesting story, but profane, blasphemous and full of scummy people.
A movie made with the Soul!
Torch-73 February 1999
The first time I saw "The Commitments" I got surprised because it doesn't seem to be a Hollywood-like movie (talking about money) but it's a great example of good script and great performance of the actors/singers. When you see the movie, it seems to be a real-life-documentary.
The music is great! And the best of all is that some of The Commitments' members really play and sing... I recommend to buy the soundtrack (Vols. 1 & 2) if you really are a fan of soul-music. You're gonna love it!
Really... it's one of the best movies that I've seen! It's a movie made with the Soul!
The music is great! And the best of all is that some of The Commitments' members really play and sing... I recommend to buy the soundtrack (Vols. 1 & 2) if you really are a fan of soul-music. You're gonna love it!
Really... it's one of the best movies that I've seen! It's a movie made with the Soul!
Absolutely Brilliant!
daybreak26 December 1998
I've just watched 'The Commitments' for about the 100 time and everytime I see it it's like watching it for the very first time. It doesn't get very much better than this, let me tell you that!
Some really superb acting by Andrew Strong. Even if he's not really an actor, is he. I've seen him live once, as for summer of 1998 in the very south of Sweden, and he was terrific!
However, as written the movie was really superb with lots of views of how some people live in Ireland.
That's all for me,
Regards,
Jens Jadesjö.
Some really superb acting by Andrew Strong. Even if he's not really an actor, is he. I've seen him live once, as for summer of 1998 in the very south of Sweden, and he was terrific!
However, as written the movie was really superb with lots of views of how some people live in Ireland.
That's all for me,
Regards,
Jens Jadesjö.
A necessary film in times of global pandemic
kodiencasa20 April 2020
The Commitments is the kind of movies you seek out when times are tough, and you're feeling low.
It works the same kind of magic Soul music does.
It takes pain and frustration and loneliness and turns it into JOY.
I'm in Spain, on my 42th day of quarantine. Re watching The Commitments after 29 years has been one of the best and most joyful things probably in this whole damned 2020 year.
I'm in Spain, on my 42th day of quarantine. Re watching The Commitments after 29 years has been one of the best and most joyful things probably in this whole damned 2020 year.
Like soul?
=G=15 March 2004
You'd better like soul music if you're planning on watching "The Commitments". The film is all about a young Dublin man who decides to assemble a rock band from his local cohorts and friends and that's all the film is about. From beginning to end, this raucous comedy tells of the coming together of a motley crew of musicians and wannabees who manage to harmonize on stage while dissonance prevails off stage. A raucous and ebullient musical comedy which is more lively than sophisticated and more profane than profound, this assembly of first-time acting talent is a must see for anyone into that Motown sound. All others, beware. (B)
committed to greatness
lee_eisenberg14 February 2007
In what may have been Alan Parker's (happy birthday, Alan!) best movie ever, a gaggle of working-class youths in Dublin decide to form a soul band. It's hard for say which is the movie's best aspect: the look at working-class life in Ireland, or the soundtrack. You feel a little depressed seeing people's lives - as expected, families have more children than anyone cares to count - but also feel like jumping up and dancing as they play their music.
Anyway, "The Commitments" is a really great little movie. The great soundtrack, fascinating characters, and other things combine to create something that everyone should see. I guess that any Roddy Doyle novel adapted into a movie starring Colm Meaney is sure to come out masterful (the others were "The Snapper" and "The Van").
Anyway, "The Commitments" is a really great little movie. The great soundtrack, fascinating characters, and other things combine to create something that everyone should see. I guess that any Roddy Doyle novel adapted into a movie starring Colm Meaney is sure to come out masterful (the others were "The Snapper" and "The Van").
The music is tremendous in this hilarious, yet sombre, look at the tragedy that is Wasted Talent
Coffee_in_the_Clink20 March 2020
"The Commitments" burst on to the scene in 1991 and immediately garnered much critical acclaim. It was nominated for an Oscar for Best Editing, but it was the music that would make it the film that it is. The soundtrack went on to sell millions and achieved triple-platinum status. Set in recession-stricken Dublin in the late 1980s, Jimmy Rabbitte is a young unemployed man who wheels-and-deals and dreams of music stardom. He has a strong passion for soul music and when he puts an ad in the paper for musicians to audition for the band he wants to put together and manage, he attracts a wide variety of nutjobs and pure talent. He assembles a line-up, and they hit the stages around working-class Dublin. They become a hit in no time, and with whispers of deals and contracts only down the line, and with Wilson Pickett himself rumoured to be lined up to play with the band while he is in Dublin, all that is going to hold this motley crew back is their hatred of each other.
"The Commitments" is a funny and unique film in that the rags-to-riches tale is turned upside down and we are left with a rather sad ending that evokes, as much of the rest of the film does, real life. There is nothing glamorous here, and director Alan Parker hammers it home by filling the movie with dreary, rain-drenched shots of social poverty and ruin. Choosing to film with subdued lighting also helped, as the film always appears to be in darkness. The characters are rough and very talented and they range from the mysterious and sleazy Joey "The Lips" Fagan - who may or may not be what he says he is - to the films finest attribute, the voice of Andrew Strong, who has to be the oldest looking teenager to ever appear on film. He was only about seventeen in this, but he looks and sounds thirty, at least. But what a voice. The rest of the cast are very good, and it is hard to believe that none of them went on to do much else after this - film-wise anyway. Robert Arkins who plays Jimmy vanished into obscurity in the years that followed. Andrew Strong never became as big as he should have. Glen Hansard, however, did go on to become a household name for his band and for the 2007 film "Once". Far from a masterpiece - its humour is dependent on Roddy Doyle's writing where we have a bunch of young Irish men and women roaring abuse at one another in between some fantastic musical performances - it nevertheless carries a strong personality and is a credit to the music that it celebrates, and to Irish life and the era it comes from.
"The Commitments" is a funny and unique film in that the rags-to-riches tale is turned upside down and we are left with a rather sad ending that evokes, as much of the rest of the film does, real life. There is nothing glamorous here, and director Alan Parker hammers it home by filling the movie with dreary, rain-drenched shots of social poverty and ruin. Choosing to film with subdued lighting also helped, as the film always appears to be in darkness. The characters are rough and very talented and they range from the mysterious and sleazy Joey "The Lips" Fagan - who may or may not be what he says he is - to the films finest attribute, the voice of Andrew Strong, who has to be the oldest looking teenager to ever appear on film. He was only about seventeen in this, but he looks and sounds thirty, at least. But what a voice. The rest of the cast are very good, and it is hard to believe that none of them went on to do much else after this - film-wise anyway. Robert Arkins who plays Jimmy vanished into obscurity in the years that followed. Andrew Strong never became as big as he should have. Glen Hansard, however, did go on to become a household name for his band and for the 2007 film "Once". Far from a masterpiece - its humour is dependent on Roddy Doyle's writing where we have a bunch of young Irish men and women roaring abuse at one another in between some fantastic musical performances - it nevertheless carries a strong personality and is a credit to the music that it celebrates, and to Irish life and the era it comes from.
"It's my pleasure to introduce to you the hardest working band in the world: Yes, yes, yes, THE COMMITMENTS!"
Howlin Wolf7 August 2007
Warning: Spoilers
That's quite a billing, but by the end of the film I can almost guarantee that you'll feel the group have lived up to it. If only they'd managed to hold it together - but then it wouldn't have been poetry...
I can't be anymore blunt and truthful than to say that I adore this film. Right from its visually plain credits, the restless Irish soul music performed entirely by the youthful cast should get your feet tapping. Then Alan Parker takes us to an urban landscape that might be gray, but by God it's bustling. We can relate to Jimmy Rabitte immediately: the youthful entrepreneur who has innate confidence in his own salesmanship, and in his pre-fame existence grants imaginary interviews from the comfort of his bathtub. He's approached to provide guidance for some friends who are struggling to make their mark as musicians. Soon they have a direction and are banding together by applying for more members. A call is sent out far and wide that the Irish brothers are in need of some soul...
Almost every member of the group is memorable and has their own particular idiosyncrasies. There's a palpable sense of adventure as they start out and their potential rapidly expands, because when they're on stage together they click. All of this success is undercut in a typically understated and deadpan example of Irish wit from Jimmy Rabitte Sr. He himself fancies the perks of stardom but isn't brave enough to pursue them, so instead is limited to crooning into a sauce bottle at home. In a very funny film its one of several memorable roles, but this time with a recognisable face playing it: Colm Meaney of "Star Trek" and "Con Air" fame. He isn't the only 'hidden talent' in the family either - look out for Andrea Corr as Jimmy Jr's younger sister!
Natural performances and earthy humour combined with raw talent make this a winner from start to finish. Please don't miss this, otherwise you'll kick yourself. I'm very tempted to give a good shake to anybody who hasn't seen it yet, myself. It's an absolutely fantastic film!
I can't be anymore blunt and truthful than to say that I adore this film. Right from its visually plain credits, the restless Irish soul music performed entirely by the youthful cast should get your feet tapping. Then Alan Parker takes us to an urban landscape that might be gray, but by God it's bustling. We can relate to Jimmy Rabitte immediately: the youthful entrepreneur who has innate confidence in his own salesmanship, and in his pre-fame existence grants imaginary interviews from the comfort of his bathtub. He's approached to provide guidance for some friends who are struggling to make their mark as musicians. Soon they have a direction and are banding together by applying for more members. A call is sent out far and wide that the Irish brothers are in need of some soul...
Almost every member of the group is memorable and has their own particular idiosyncrasies. There's a palpable sense of adventure as they start out and their potential rapidly expands, because when they're on stage together they click. All of this success is undercut in a typically understated and deadpan example of Irish wit from Jimmy Rabitte Sr. He himself fancies the perks of stardom but isn't brave enough to pursue them, so instead is limited to crooning into a sauce bottle at home. In a very funny film its one of several memorable roles, but this time with a recognisable face playing it: Colm Meaney of "Star Trek" and "Con Air" fame. He isn't the only 'hidden talent' in the family either - look out for Andrea Corr as Jimmy Jr's younger sister!
Natural performances and earthy humour combined with raw talent make this a winner from start to finish. Please don't miss this, otherwise you'll kick yourself. I'm very tempted to give a good shake to anybody who hasn't seen it yet, myself. It's an absolutely fantastic film!
Feel Good Music Video
evanston_dad19 November 2008
"The Commitments" is one of those triumph of the underdog movies, this one about a bunch of Irish kids who want to make it as a rock band.
It's been a while since I've seen this, but I remember thinking that the movie wasn't really about much. I liked it -- it has tremendous energy, and a virtual non-stop parade of great songs, but it felt more like an extended MTV music video than it did a movie.
But Alan Parker is just the guy to direct a feature length video -- look what he did with "Evita."
The movie garnered an Academy Award nomination for best film editing, which tells you who the true star of the movie is.
Grade: B+
It's been a while since I've seen this, but I remember thinking that the movie wasn't really about much. I liked it -- it has tremendous energy, and a virtual non-stop parade of great songs, but it felt more like an extended MTV music video than it did a movie.
But Alan Parker is just the guy to direct a feature length video -- look what he did with "Evita."
The movie garnered an Academy Award nomination for best film editing, which tells you who the true star of the movie is.
Grade: B+
Awesome Story, Awesome Music, Awesome Movie
junymom27 July 2007
This movie is by far one of the greatest. The music is fantastic. The comedy aspect is hilarious (imagine naming your band And And And...). Giving you a sense of the real black souls of Dublin in the bodies of working class white kids, this movie touches on the good in life, hard in life and just plain humorous side of life. Having a mom obsessed with Elvis Presley brought home great memories and Colm Meaney is the best obsessed fan ever. The soundtrack features song sung by Jimmy Rabbitt himself - you may find his voice annoying during destination anywhere, but man, that boy can sing!! The cast is original, talented and truly believable in their roles.
If you like music and comedy you will LOVE The Commitments!
If you like music and comedy you will LOVE The Commitments!
Where being 'Black and Proud' can take you!
higherall716 January 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I think anyone who has ever attempted to organize and direct a group to achieve success in any artistic activity can appreciate this film.
The thing I found heart-warming about this story was how a group of white teenagers from Dublin seize upon the idea to study 'Black Soul Music' as their route out of the Irish Ghetto and as a ticket to success. The notion is actually the brainchild of Jimmy Rabbitte, and having directed plays in High School and straight out of Community College, I could easily identify with what he was trying to do. He forms this motley crew of singers and musicians; some of whom can barely stand each other, all of whom can't stand the lead singer Deco Cuffe.
Most stories on film will find Blacks emulating the successful actions of White people in order to achieve success in life. Sometimes they would take this too far and to their chagrin receive the censure of their peers for 'trying to act White'. This film was refreshing because you saw white kids intently studying James Brown and Otis Redding and others in order to analyze the dynamics of what makes Soul Music work. All the while with Jimmy Rabbitte exhorting them to "-say it once and say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud!"
Quite a stretch for teenagers in Dublin and just when you think they've got it down and the flywheel is finally connected to the engine of their emotions and transmitting force; well, you'll see what I mean. I really enjoyed seeing them practice their lyrics while ironing clothes or practicing their moves while hanging the wash on the line. It reminded me of what it is like for working class people to struggle and claw their way up on the path towards a dream. Many of the claustrophobic interior scenes reminded me of places where I visited friends in the Projects and quite frankly, it was a revelation to me that there were White People who lived in Ghetto conditions too. This gave credence to the tagline, 'They started out with nothing, and were ready to risk it all!'. It also explains why they were even ready to grasp at the straw of 'Soul Music' for a leg up if they could get it. This is the burning desire of the poor person to raise him or herself up by any means and comes across as a universal aspiration.
There is also this air of youth blooming into adulthood not quite certain what is out there for them, but ready to explore and try anything. This is the spirit that is the salvation of the Human Race and says, "-let me try this viewpoint on for awhile and see what its value is for me and what I can take from it to create a personal life expression." Between Jimmy Rabbitte's pep talks and his father declaring that Elvis is God and two of the female backup singers berating sexy Imelda Quirke for 'prick-teasing' and Joey 'The Lips' Fagan shagging one of the ladies to Barry White or Isaac Hayes, we're happy to be their running buddies as they stroll the streets and alight from the buses of Dublin into their own version of Soul Music.
I found that moment when it seems as though they have risen above the limitations of conflicting personalities and environmental pressures especially elegiac and poignant. There is that moment in the life of many a youth where it seems as though they have grasped the whole world and taken a glimpse of what is possible for them. There is that moment in this film. What was exciting was to see what each of the characters took as a Life Lesson from this particular adventure into Soul Music once the smoke cleared and the dust settled.
When Jimmy Rabbitte speaks to the interviewer from the future about his inevitable success while in the bathtub or while washing his hands and looking into the Restroom mirror, I was reminded of my own attempts to sign on the dotted line the contract with myself for triumph.
'The Commitments' is a great way to find out what it all means.
The thing I found heart-warming about this story was how a group of white teenagers from Dublin seize upon the idea to study 'Black Soul Music' as their route out of the Irish Ghetto and as a ticket to success. The notion is actually the brainchild of Jimmy Rabbitte, and having directed plays in High School and straight out of Community College, I could easily identify with what he was trying to do. He forms this motley crew of singers and musicians; some of whom can barely stand each other, all of whom can't stand the lead singer Deco Cuffe.
Most stories on film will find Blacks emulating the successful actions of White people in order to achieve success in life. Sometimes they would take this too far and to their chagrin receive the censure of their peers for 'trying to act White'. This film was refreshing because you saw white kids intently studying James Brown and Otis Redding and others in order to analyze the dynamics of what makes Soul Music work. All the while with Jimmy Rabbitte exhorting them to "-say it once and say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud!"
Quite a stretch for teenagers in Dublin and just when you think they've got it down and the flywheel is finally connected to the engine of their emotions and transmitting force; well, you'll see what I mean. I really enjoyed seeing them practice their lyrics while ironing clothes or practicing their moves while hanging the wash on the line. It reminded me of what it is like for working class people to struggle and claw their way up on the path towards a dream. Many of the claustrophobic interior scenes reminded me of places where I visited friends in the Projects and quite frankly, it was a revelation to me that there were White People who lived in Ghetto conditions too. This gave credence to the tagline, 'They started out with nothing, and were ready to risk it all!'. It also explains why they were even ready to grasp at the straw of 'Soul Music' for a leg up if they could get it. This is the burning desire of the poor person to raise him or herself up by any means and comes across as a universal aspiration.
There is also this air of youth blooming into adulthood not quite certain what is out there for them, but ready to explore and try anything. This is the spirit that is the salvation of the Human Race and says, "-let me try this viewpoint on for awhile and see what its value is for me and what I can take from it to create a personal life expression." Between Jimmy Rabbitte's pep talks and his father declaring that Elvis is God and two of the female backup singers berating sexy Imelda Quirke for 'prick-teasing' and Joey 'The Lips' Fagan shagging one of the ladies to Barry White or Isaac Hayes, we're happy to be their running buddies as they stroll the streets and alight from the buses of Dublin into their own version of Soul Music.
I found that moment when it seems as though they have risen above the limitations of conflicting personalities and environmental pressures especially elegiac and poignant. There is that moment in the life of many a youth where it seems as though they have grasped the whole world and taken a glimpse of what is possible for them. There is that moment in this film. What was exciting was to see what each of the characters took as a Life Lesson from this particular adventure into Soul Music once the smoke cleared and the dust settled.
When Jimmy Rabbitte speaks to the interviewer from the future about his inevitable success while in the bathtub or while washing his hands and looking into the Restroom mirror, I was reminded of my own attempts to sign on the dotted line the contract with myself for triumph.
'The Commitments' is a great way to find out what it all means.
I have to disagree...
garyd-425 March 2003
Warning: Spoilers
I checked the video box and, yes, I did watch the same movie everyone else is raving about. I play rhythm guitar in an informal blues/jam band, so I can appreciate the subject matter of the film. However, I was unable to give The Commitments more than a 5 out of 10. My main problem with the film was the rapid fire, unintelligible dialogue. I stopped rewinding and replaying once I realized that, ***SPOILERS AHEAD** if their voices were low they were imagining how soul music would change their lives (yeah, right), or if it was loud it was the band members about get into another fight. Do Irish people really treat each other that way? The exchange of dialogue between the actors was also so rapid as to be unbelievable. The unfolding of the story and the characters were hard for me to believe, too. "Hey, I've been unemployed for 3 years, but I suddenly have a clear vision of exactly what kind of band to put together, and the motivation to do so!" Then, "Hey, here's this veteran musician that has nothing to do but answer a newspaper ad, and will join us and show us the ropes"! Then "We'll practice awhile, then sound great!" Bloooody s***e, anya upinya bullocks, fookin deadly s***e. Aye. Not trying to be a jerk, but this film looked like it was written in a day and filmed in a week. Subtitles would help, too, for those of us who speak English.
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