The Abduction Club (2002) User Reviews

Beautiful and amusing

[david_hagstrom · 8/10 · 19 May 2004]

This is a great piece of work. The actors are perfect for their roles, and the pictures of the Irish landscape are beautiful to say the least.

If you are into this kind of British gentleman costume dramas then you're definitely going to like this. If you love Ireland, like I do, you will like it even more. Daniel LaPaine gives a nice performance. This was also the first time I saw Sophia Myles on screen, and I can only say I want to see more, she is just soo cute as the younger sister Kennedy.

Ok, the story might be a bit predictable, but who cares? It's great entertainment.

4/5

Pleasant

[lexie-bl · 8/10 · 25 April 2004]

I found this great little period romance to be very pleasant. It was predictable and corny but what could you expect from a period romance - that's why we watch them right? The scenery was terrific and certainly added to the romance of the film. I liked the humour between the male characters and found the dialogue of the film to be quite funny overall. The female characters, while certainly great eye candy were a little stilted in language and action, although I preferred Sophia Myles playing Anne to Alice Evans slightly lacklustre and wooden Catherine. I thought Matthew Rhys stole some of the limelight from Daniel Lapaine with his more affable portrayal of a destitute second son marrying for money rather than love, in truth I found Strang a more attractive character than Byrne. If anyone was looking for a serious period drama I would not recommend this movie but for some light romance with a touch of swashbuckle, obligatory sword play and excellent scenery I would not hesitate to suggest seeing "The Abduction Club".

A Delightful Movie.

[dukesdungeon · 8/10 · 7 December 2006]

The fact that this story is based on actual events is very interesting indeed. Just remember, the premise is based on actual events of history, not the story. Whether or not this story is true matters not. The whole adventure is worth watching if you're a romantic or you enjoy a good old love story.

The idea that this could have been happening in those times is very believable. I never knew about this as being an actual occurrence until I saw the movie. What an education!

This is a great yarn if you make some allowances, so, if you don't take your history too serious, watch this movie.

fun to watch

[borca · 3 January 2003]

Abduction Club is a well-made film and it is entertaining until the last minute. Predictable? Yes. Corny? Maybe so. But it is funny in a witty way and is romantic in a nice, acceptable way. The characters are likeable, the cinematography is in its place, and everything else is. So what's wrong with this picture? Nothing I say, accomplished what it was aimed for.

cute movie

[clytamnestra · 7/10 · 21 February 2006]

a cute movie. all of the 'good' characters are nice and likable. the movie is predictable from the first minute, but these kind of movies are not supposed to be intellectually challenging anyway.

2 rich sisters are abducted by 2 poor young men (and their friends) wanting to marry them. at first the abduction is not much of a success, forcing the 4 of them to travel together for a few days. during this time both couples fall in love, but everybody is still a bit uneasy: the girls don't like the guys being after their money and the boys feel uncomfortable about that as well. that problem is solved when it turns out the sisters don't have any money after all. some more problems arise, but in the end everything is worked out and our happy young couples go find passage to America.

the only thing i didn't understand was the claim of this movie being 'based on real facts'. even though rich englisch ladies have indeed been kidnapped by pennyless younger suns, the story as displayed here is obviously fictional. making this claim will only confuse people who are looking for a realistic story, and drive away people who want a simple romantic story. better to drop that claim altogether.

A Great Romantic Comedy

[MonkeyKeeper · 9/10 · 26 July 2008]

I first stumbled upon this movie when watching a video made with scenes from it and set to music. Though I knew little about it, the video intrigued me and I set out to find this movie.(To watch the video I saw go to this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2W6kPd-NJM) However, it isn't so easily found. For us in the United States, we have no way of seeing this movie as it as yet to be released, but after searching for quite a long time, I located it on youtube.

The Abduction Club tells the story of a group of young men. All are younger sons and will not inherit. Their only choice is to get a job (basically, to become a priest) or marry into a wealthy family. Marrying is obviously more appealing, so one at a time one young man and a young heiress are introduced, in hopes that she will fall in love and marry a poor boy than a rich man twice her age.

When such feelings are developed, the young lady is "abducted" willingly and proposed to. No harm is done and everyone gets what they want, but you cannot have a movie simply about an abduction that runs smoothly, can you? Of course not.

The Abduction Club centers around an abduction that goes terribly wrong. Garrett Byrne is a cocky younger son that after only one meeting with young heiress, Catherine Kennedy, he is sure that she will accept his proposal. He, however, is wrong and matters are complicated when Catherine's younger sister Anne and Garrett's best friend Strang come along for the ride and are tracked down by Anne's determined suitor and the soldiers that he has command over.

Anne is desperate to escape her suitor, Mr. Power, and longs for freedom, but Catherine is stubborn and wishes that they return home. However, the more time that the four spend together, the more feelings begin to grow and the truth about certain situations is brought forth.

Though a little predictable, this movie is charming, romantic, funny, and may even jerk a few tears. The cast is wonderful and all fit their characters well. There are many endearing scenes and you can be assured a happy ending.

**If you have not seen this movie, but want to, I strongly suggest that you follow the directions below and watch it. It is a great movie with beautiful landscapes, and acting and really lifts your spirits.

Go to www.youtube.com and type in The Abduction Club 1/9. Click on the first video. There are nine videos in total, each labeled with The Abduction club and a number (2/9, 3/9) By typing in each of the numbers, you should be able to find all of the videos. There are German subtitles, but they are ignorable. If you watch the movie and enjoy it, I suggest that you download realplayer at www.real.com and use it to download the videos to your computer. You never know when it will be taken off of youtube for copyright violations.

Update: Another set of videos has been added on youtube. Type in The Abduction Club (El Club del Rapto)1/10 and that should bring up the videos. There are ten in total. The quality is better than the other set and there is no weird pausing. There are Spanish subtitles, but hopefully they can be ignored.** Anyway, I hope that was helpful. I know that if I was looking for this movie, I'd want someone who knew where to find it to tell me, so there you have it. Just go watch it, relax, and enjoy.

And I apologize for the essay size comment. I guess I got a little word happy.

a bit of romance

[mozirajongo · 9/10 · 12 April 2002]

Handsome, penniless young guys with sparkling blue eyes :) Pretty, penniless ladies in frocks on horsebacks. Adventure, love, romance, comedy. The original score is very good. The plot is a bit predictable though. You know from the beginning that everyone will be happy in the end. And that is just fine.

Nasty, trivial and worthless non-entity of a film

[Philb-3 · 1/10 · 2 March 2003]

This film attempts to do an Irish version of the marvellous 'Plunkett and Macleane', but unfortunately fails miserably. It glamorises the historically accurate rape and kidnap of women by second sons who have need of keeping themselves in the style to which their fathers have brought them up. Quite who thought this would be a good topic for a film defeats me!

None of the characters caught either my interest, attention or concern. The male leads were boorish, thick headed and lacking any kind of sense or intelligence at all. The female leads were vacuous bimbos with scarcely an original thought or utterance between them.

The script and plot was inept, tired and thoroughly predictable. Editing was pedestrian at best. I'll grant that the backdrop was very attractive - it would have been a much better film if they'd simply filmed the locations without the cast intruding into the scene.

This is a dreadful film - do not waste your time and money watching it.

Lovely period romance/adventure!!!

[naeemaisa · 10/10 · 18 April 2007]

If you love period films, especially romances, then you'll love this. The scenery is beautiful, the romance fraught with difficulties and dangers, and yet extremely sweet. It is amusing, and yet informative, being as how it's based on true events in Ireland. There is also a nice bit of swash and buckle going on, always a great addition to films of this type. The film has a great storyline, and has been well put together. I can't think of a single negative thing to say about it. All of the actors play their part well, and are well suited to their roles, right down to the bad guy we love to hate. This film is definitely numbered among my favourites.

did someone abduct the good cut?

[mrdudekinns · 5/10 · 21 July 2002]

the idea behind the film is a good one at that, but the film isnt. an interesting premise is predictably translated with not even any enjoyable young cast unable to sell it. the film is below average which if trying something new would gain respect for being daring , but it was unorignal, never breathing life into an old tale. i would at least like to someone try something new even if they fail it would make a change!

4

Fun to Watch

[SamyangNudle · 24 July 2006]

The 'Abduction Club', you soon realize, is a group of young men who abduct the woman they wish to marry in order to charm them & propose.

This unique storyline provides a captivating follow-up of events. And in a turn of fortune, leads you away from the predictable.

It's a lot lighter than your average period drama, & quick moving, with a twist. The two main characters compliment each others roles to provide a comical duo, & keep you entertained until the end.

I didn't know what to expect when i began watching, but was in for a pleasant surprise. Although parts were foreseeable, it was still an enjoyable film.

Loved it!

[beautifulstranger87 · 9/10 · 3 October 2005]

Wow, I just finished watching this film again, I love it soo much! I love the fact that it is predictable, but also that it is a comedy. It had me and my flatmates laughing with joy. We all "awww"ed at the right times and I have to say it is definitely one of the best movies. It has no vulgar swearing, no sex and it is a joy to watch. I strongly recommend all to watch it! The sweet lines, and underlying message that true love conquers all gives everyone hope. My favourite line in the movie is when Strang says "I pity those who have not looked upon you face, how barren their dreams must be" how I wish that someone would say that to me!! This film makes you feel good whilst not being overly corny. Surely thats the best mix a film can get?

Keeks

Loved it - fabulous

[angie_4-2 · 10/10 · 9 June 2008]

I saw this quite by chance last week - June 2008 on TV and taped some of it. I thought it was fabulous. I just loved it from start to finish so much so that I have now bought both the DVD and VHS from Amazon. I just wanted to time travel back and be right there with them. A wonderful story from start to finish especially since the 1700's has always been a favourite time - my first stop if I had a time machine. I doubt if I would come back to the (21st century) again. The story was charming and the chemistry between them all was magical. Such charming gentlemen and who would not wish to be in their company. Magic! I cannot wait to receive the DVD and VHS tape.

brilliant

[kat1689 · 18 August 2003]

this is 1 of the best films i have ever seen it is corn but corny is good and it is always a good thing if the lead actors are gorgeous.my favourite bit is when strang(rhys)and byrne are argueing before abducting katherine kennedy and the butler opens the door on them.