The Commitments

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Tracy U Sharply written and executed with real verve, this is an enduring and enjoyable comedy-drama that showcases some great performances both on and off-stage. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/22/25 Full Review Jonathan E I rate it 1/2. What idiot put this on DVD without subtitles? I enjoyed the music but I didn't understand a single word that was spoken. The accents are so thick it might as well have been in ancient Greek. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 09/04/25 Full Review Matthew D One of the funniest Irish comedies you could ever see! Mississippi Burning director Alan Parker’s Irish comedy The Commitments (1991) is absolutely hysterical. I am quite floored by the outrageous performances, the incredible singing, beautiful playing, silly antics, deeper meaning, delightful events, brutal fights, and soulful music of The Commitments. I love Irish folk music and was expecting more of that, but this group of ragtag, raunch, rowdy, working class musicians making a soul band in Dublin is hilarious. They give it their all. The Commitments are very likable as the poorest in Dublin just trying to make a living and have fun with friends. It feels so significant and alive among the history of Irish cinema. A true cult classic of Irish films. Alan Parker shoots the dialogue scenes with a mockumentary style like the camera weaves in between all the chaos and in fighting of this group. I love how lively and emotional the singing and playing is as if they made all of these old soul classics The Commitments are covering. Author Roddy Doyle made wonderful characters, clever observations, funny jokes, sympathy for the poor, and an earnest love of soul music. Screenwriters Ian La Frenais, Roddy Doyle, and Dick Clement provide constant laughs with their irreverent Irish humor and distinctly endearing Irish characters. I love their heartfelt sentiment in the ending. It ends on a very poignant note that even though they were not successful, they were all given a purpose and a hope for something better out of life. Robert Arkins is a riot as the incredulous manager Jimmy Rabbitte. His disapproving face as people audition is my favorite part of the film. Colm Meaney is a total blast as Mr. Rabbitte, who loves Elvis. Anne Kent is likewise amusing as Mrs. Rabbitte. Michael Aherne’s delicate piano playing and earnest performance as Steven Clifford is wonderful. Angeline Ball is a scream as the sexy blonde singer Imelda Quirke. She’s just insane in The Commitments. Maria Doyle is lovely and touching as the angelic voiced Natalie Murphy. Dave Finnegan’s ferocious drummer and bouncer Mickah Wallace is outrageous. Bronagh Gallagher is a blast and considerate as Bernie McGloughlin the other backup singer. Félim Gormley’s jazz loving saxophonist Dean Fay is a riot. Glen Hansard is so kind and funny as the lively guitarist Outspan Foster. Dick Massey’s amazing drummer Billy Mooney is so funny and intense. Johnny Murphy is as hilarious as he is heartfelt as Joey The Lips Fagan the trumpeter. Kenneth McCluskey’s playful bassist Derek Scully is as amusing as the difficult singer Andrew Strong portrays named Deco Cuffe. Editor Gerry Hambling’s audition montages and soul performance cutting is outstanding. Cinematographer Gale Tattersall captures both decimated Dublin, intimate rooms, cozy homes, and rowdy crowds in striking shots. The camera movements are crazy. All the old soul songs are blazing with passion in the soundtrack. Tom Perry’s clear sound recordings rock like Penny Rose’s sleazy costumes and Peter Frampton’s gritty makeup. In the end, The Commitments remains one of the funniest comedies ever made besides one of the truly great Irish films. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/02/25 Full Review Stephen C Funny in 1 hour and 57 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $13,900,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/22/25 Full Review Buck M Does a remarkable job of balancing a feel of lower-class life with the sheer exuberance the music brings. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/05/25 Full Review Bill A I loved this movie when it first came out in the early 90's. I didn't see it in theater, but rented it at Blockbuster Video. I watched again the other night, and even though it plays a little dated, the spirit of the film still holds it's own. The running internal interview of the band manager reminds me of my own career and how life and things get in the way of our own success, but even so, we go on about our business. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/24/25 Full Review Read all reviews

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