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A Man of No Importance

Play trailer Poster for A Man of No Importance R 1994 1h 38m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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82% Tomatometer 17 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
In early-1960s Dublin, bus conductor Alfie Byrne (Albert Finney) lives quietly, leading a local amateur theatrical troupe and keeping house with his sister, Lily (Brenda Fricker). Deeply closeted at a time when homosexuality is still a criminal offense in Ireland, the middle-aged Alfie creates a local scandal when he announces a production of Oscar Wilde's play Salome, starring country girl Adele (Tara Fitzgerald) and Robbie (Rufus Sewell), the bus driver for whom Alfie secretly pines.
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A Man of No Importance

Critics Reviews

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Lisa Schwarzbaum Entertainment Weekly Rated: B- Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Alison Macor Austin Chronicle Rated: 4.5/5 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times If there were real Alfies in Dublin in the early 1960s, and I am sure there were, their lives were probably not anything near this cozy. Rated: 2.5/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com ...with the atmosphere of 1963 Dublin persuasively caught, A Man of No Importance is one of these lucky films that sees great talent well harnessed... Rated: 4/5 Jan 23, 2024 Full Review Joe Leydon The Moving Picture Show A slight but captivating film that is transformed into something special by Finney’s sweetly poignant performance. Jun 12, 2023 Full Review Quentin Crisp Christopher Street I felt that more could have been done with such a good idea and such an excellent actor. Apr 21, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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isla s This is a gentle, slow paced but not uncharming slice of Irish cultural life in the time its set in, i.e.the early 60s. I found the main character, Alfred Byrne, to be quite a likeable person, if a little bumbling perhaps. Its an easy and enjoyable watch and I liked that it wasn't too sentimental, nor was it excessively sexual or anything like that. Its a somewhat thoughtful film, with some poignant dialogue and so I'd sat this is worth a watch. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member It's the early 60s in Dublin and a middle-aged bus conductor sublimates his unfulfilled homosexual leanings into directing an amateur production of Oscar Wilde's Salome. A good cast, led by a twinkly Albert Finney, is unfortunately encouraged to wildly overdo the Oirish blarney: only David Kelly and Brenda Fricker (and to an extent Michael Gambon) are the real deal among the principal cast, and the thin script is further diluted by soupy music and rather clunky direction. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Frances H Such a sweet flick about a older man who takes delight in the works of Oscar Wilde, and shares his proclivities, but has never indulged in them. Instead he puts all of his energies and enthusiasm into trying to put on Wilde's plays and befriending all of the people who ride his bus--reading them the poetry of his favorite artist. When he shocks the conservative community with his latest attempt at the staging of Salome, secrets comes out that create tempest that marks a turning point in Alfie's life. A great cast in a film that uses gentle humor when dealing with its subject and Finney shows again what a consummate and charming actor he is. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/06/18 Full Review Audience Member brilliant performances Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Extremely banal, but Rufus Sewell is beautiful. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member brilliant stuff. i never really appreciated this film on previous views but guess i have reached an age where works such as this become more enjoyable. Finney is truly wonderful. rufus sewell also stars along with the other cast members mentioned here. good film, Shalom. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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A Man of No Importance

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Movie Info

Synopsis In early-1960s Dublin, bus conductor Alfie Byrne (Albert Finney) lives quietly, leading a local amateur theatrical troupe and keeping house with his sister, Lily (Brenda Fricker). Deeply closeted at a time when homosexuality is still a criminal offense in Ireland, the middle-aged Alfie creates a local scandal when he announces a production of Oscar Wilde's play Salome, starring country girl Adele (Tara Fitzgerald) and Robbie (Rufus Sewell), the bus driver for whom Alfie secretly pines.
Director
Suri Krishnamma
Producer
Jonathan Cavendish
Production Co
BBC Films, Little Bird
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 15, 2017
Runtime
1h 38m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo
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