The Commitments

R

Released Aug 14, 1991

1h 57m

Comedy

Drama

Music

List

90%

49 Reviews

Tomatometer

90%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins), a self-proclaimed promoter, decides to organize an R&B group to fill the musical void in his hometown of Dublin, Ireland. The band comes together but ends up consisting entirely of white musicians who have little experience with the genre. Even though their raw talent and lofty aspirations gain the group notoriety, the pitfalls of fame began to tear at their newfound friendships as they prepare for their big show. Based on the novel by Roddy Doyle.

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Critics Consensus

The Commitments is a vibrantly funny and blissfully heartfelt ode to the power of music.

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Jay H

One of the most entertaining movies I've ever seen.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/03/23

Full Review

John E

Musical anhedonia is a neurological condition that affects 3 to 5% of the Earth's population. The people who suffer from this condition derive no pleasure from music of any kind. If you are one of the small percentage of people who suffer from this condition, then you should skip reading the rest of this review. On the other hand, if you are one of the majority of humans who can partake in the almost-universal experience of enjoying great music (along with terrific storytelling) then you should make it a goal to see The Commitments, an Irish film directed by Alan Parker, released in 1991. The Commitments is the tale of Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins), a young man without a job, who seeks to put together a soul music band and earn a living as the band's manager. The tale begins in North Dublin as Jimmy bargains and hustles to find musical instruments and musicians. He assembles a ragtag team of very diverse individuals and sells his belief in an Irish soul band. As he tells his (all-White) group, "The Irish are the Blacks of Europe. And Dubliners are the Blacks of Ireland. And North Dubliners are the Blacks of Dublin. So, say it once and say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud!" Once the group buys into Jimmy's concept, the band (The Commitments) is born. The band begins rehearsing and the viewer is treated to The Commitment's covers of hit soul songs by the likes of Otis Redding, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, and Wilson Picket. Though each member of the group wants to succeed, tensions bubble from the get-go because this isn't a band born of people who are out for the group, but rather, people who are out for themselves. Egos run high, outside pressures invade, romantic interludes flame on then smother out, and through it all, Jimmy works to keep the team intact while simultaneously getting them gigs. Being in the band provides each member of the Commitments a refuge from the pain and bleakness of their socially challenged existences. Music brings them happiness, but will it bring them success? Is their dream sustainable? Is it better to dream and fail, or not to have dreamed at all? How committed will Jimmy's musicians be to their success, and ultimately his? This was a real feel-good musical-filled escape. Most of the performers in the movie are true musicians and not trained actors. I didn't recognize Glen Hansard through all the hair! He was the central character in another music-themed Irish flick called Once (one of my all-time favorite films). Though The Commitments didn't fare well in U.S. theaters when it debuted, three decades later it is one of the most beloved Irish features ever made.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/16/23

Full Review

Leaburn O

The music is good and there are some nice scenes in what was another derivative of that early 90s British cinematic trope of working class no hopers becoming performing acts. Apparently the Corrs were formed when they were heard auditioning for this film. This one made the BFI top 100 list. Bought it on DVD.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/30/23

Full Review

meganleigh t

One of the best movies I've ever watched. Loved everything about it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Carlos I

A biopic about a band that's not real? Okay then. It's a lot of slurring, shouting and thick Irish accents screaming over each other in a fun ensemble piece about a burgeoning band that really has the goods, but get into their own way too much. The music in this is killer.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

12/09/22

Full Review

Audience Member

This is truly a gem. Great story, great music acting is superb and so real, so much that I am thankful for the subtitles:) Pure enjoyment!!!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

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Alan Parker

Director

Robert Arkins

Jimmy Rabbitte

Johnny Murphy

Joey 'The Lips' Fagan, Trumpet

Angeline Ball

Imelda Quirke, Backup Singer

Michael Aherne

Steven Clifford, Piano

Maria Doyle Kennedy

Natalie Murphy, Backup Singer

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Joe Clay

Times (UK)

[A] rollicking rags-to-rags story.

Dec 27, 2023

Full Review

Patrick Z. McGavin

Chicago Reader

The Commitments is possibly Parker’s most personal film, his own working-class origins in the north London borough of Islington paralleling those of his characters.

Rated: 3/4

May 24, 2022

Full Review

Leonard Pitts Jr.

Miami Herald

The locations have a certain grimy reality. The musical sequences are downright combustible, exploding off the screen. And the cast -- young and inexperienced as they are -- manage to convey poignant believability.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 17, 2021

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

The Commitments is very well realized but requires a specialized audience. [Full review in Spanish]

Dec 12, 2022

Full Review

Travis Johnson

sbs.com.au

At base The Commitments is about the common experiences and emotions that unite us.

Oct 24, 2021

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Filmmaker Alan Parker does a superb job of instantly luring the viewer into the deliberately-paced proceedings...

Rated: 3/4

Mar 28, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins), a self-proclaimed promoter, decides to organize an R&B group to fill the musical void in his hometown of Dublin, Ireland. The band comes together but ends up consisting entirely of white musicians who have little experience with the genre. Even though their raw talent and lofty aspirations gain the group notoriety, the pitfalls of fame began to tear at their newfound friendships as they prepare for their big show. Based on the novel by Roddy Doyle.

Director: Alan Parker
Producer: Armyan Bernstein, Souter Harris, Tom Rosenberg
Screenwriter: Ian La Frenais, Dick Clement, Roddy Doyle, Roddy Doyle
Distributor: MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Beacon Communications, Dirty Hands Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 14, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.9M
Runtime: 1h 57m
Sound Mix: Surround