Ballywalter

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Ballywalter

2022

1h 30m

Comedy

Drama

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10 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Eileen (Seána Kerslake) is a sardonic University drop-out whose dreams of a successful life in London have died. Back at home in Belfast with her mum and pregnant sister, she is trying to make ends meet by working as an unlicensed driver in her ex-boyfriend's minicab. Shane (Patrick Kielty) has exiled himself in Ballywalter following the break-up of his marriage, but now he's trying to get his life back on track by enrolling in an evening comedy course. Eileen accepts the weekly return fare from Shane. As the two spend time together on the road between Belfast and Ballywalter, shuttling back and forth over several months, a surprising connection is made and a unlikely friendship develops, saving them both from a downward spiral.

Ryan Gilbey

Guardian

Thank goodness for Kerslake, who drives the action, literally and figuratively. Her portrayal of the damaged but resilient Eileen is prickly, unsentimental and true.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 18, 2023

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Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

Spurred on by two impressive central performances, this debut feature from director Prasanna Puwanarajah is honest, darkly humorous, and undeniably emotive, yet never melodramatic or showy.

May 1, 2024

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Chris Wasser

Sunday Independent (Ireland)

Kerslake is every bit as good as you’d expect; Kielty is a revelation.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 28, 2023

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Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

A low-key comedy from Northern Ireland, this film has wonderfully edgy charm as it follows two broken people through a meandering series of events.

Rated: 3.5/5

Sep 26, 2023

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Emma Simmonds

Radio Times

Although the film resorts to the occasional cliché, director Prasanna Puwanarajah and writer Stacey Gregg treat the sensitive subject with the care it deserves, and they find plenty of room for hope.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 21, 2023

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Edward Porter

Sunday Times (UK)

The script is rather forced but reaches a well-judged ending and the performances are engaging, especially Kerslake’s picture of an angry soul.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 21, 2023

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Peter N

Thoughtful, funny, sad, poignant. Great script and excellent acting makes this a faultless film in my book.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/25

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Deborah M

We watched this because of the critics reviews and are glad we did. Honest emotions, showing the real situations that people have to face. Failures exposed and redeemed with no sugar coating but gentle Irish humour. Great acting. It's good to know that movies like this still get made. No violent crime or horror just the challenges of life and the uplift from helping others.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/26/25

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Brady E

Anyone who's been in a slump can relate to these two even though their personalities may be drastically different from one's own. This is a story of how the power of another's company can pull you out and get you to start enjoying life again. There's many "bad" jokes as Shane is in a beginner's comedy class, but I found them funny and the lack of reaction from the characters adds to the laughs. Watch it and you may be inspired to get of your own slump!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/31/24

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Audience Member

A sarcastic, dark comedy, about comedy. Will leave you feeling depressed but not down 🙂. Give it a watch. Nice independent film

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/22/24

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Keaven A

I saw this on American Airlines. Watch it if you get a chance!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/10/24

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Prasanna Puwanarajah

Director

Seána Kerslake

Eileen

Conor MacNeill

Short

Joanne Crawford

Donna

Ryan McParland

Pizza Phil

Julian Moore-Cook

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Synopsis

Eileen (Seána Kerslake) is a sardonic University drop-out whose dreams of a successful life in London have died. Back at home in Belfast with her mum and pregnant sister, she is trying to make ends meet by working as an unlicensed driver in her ex-boyfriend's minicab. Shane (Patrick Kielty) has exiled himself in Ballywalter following the break-up of his marriage, but now he's trying to get his life back on track by enrolling in an evening comedy course. Eileen accepts the weekly return fare from Shane. As the two spend time together on the road between Belfast and Ballywalter, shuttling back and forth over several months, a surprising connection is made and a unlikely friendship develops, saving them both from a downward spiral.

Director: Prasanna Puwanarajah
Producer: James Bierman, Nik Bower
Screenwriter: Stacey Gregg, Stacey Gregg
Production Co: Riverstone Pictures, Cowtown Pictures
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 30m