The Playboys

PG-13

1992

1 hr. 50 min.

Drama

List

92%

25 Reviews

Tomatometer

53%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Father Malone (Alan Devlin) is scandalized that expectant mother Tara Maguire (Robin Wright) has not yet found a husband. In an attempt to keep her holy in the eyes of God, Malone sets Tara up with aging bachelor Brendan Hegarty (Albert Finney). But when Tara falls instead for Tom Casey (Aidan Quinn), an actor in a ribald wandering theater troupe called the Playboys, the priest's plan fails. Furious that Tara does not reciprocate his feelings, Hegarty plots to keep Tara and Tom apart.

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Steve D

I found it strangely uncomfortable.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Albert Finney, Aiden Quinn, and Robin Wright in a love triangle testing the limits and boundaries Taking place in Ireland in a very religious community The priest Father Malone finds that Tara not having a husband is unacceptable She's just had a newborn baby Malone attempts to set her up with sergeant Brendan Hagerty Tom Casey then enters the picture as a wandering theater troupe called the Playboys and Tara ends up falling for him instead That makes things frustrating for Brendan doing everything in his power to tear them apart The community also tries to make Tara into a leper making her situation seem like a sin But she's not going down without a fight for her independence and dignity There's an over abundance of melodrama in this almost seeming like it never ends But the three leads make for a very intense love triangle and a village full of people who rely on gossip and mistrust Plus Penn is a woman who defies the moral rectitude of her Roman Catholic community in the 1950s The church and the theater are the two most influential institutions during this time in a small part of the world having enough fear and hostility Expectations are not quite challenged in this but met with the amount you'd imagine

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A beautiful romantic film with marvelous locations and great performances. Albert Finney owned the film... partially, with his superb portrayal of an alcoholic ruthless man; but Robin Wright was not only beautiful in this movie, she did an outstanding job, as well did Aidan Quinn. I found the film quite reminiscent of John Ford's "The Quiet Man", at least in visual style and mostly because both are beautiful love stories set in a small Irish village. While Ford's film is an undeniable classic, this film is not far behind. It is much less known, but I think it's almost as good. It had as well little moments of comedy, especially the "Gone with the Wind" parody at the small theater, which was an extremely funny scene. The film contained especially near the end, some really intense scenes, which were brilliantly done, mostly because of Finney's top-notch acting work. Perhaps there have been many more films of this genre better than this, but still I consider this a very nice addition and a worth-seeing motion picture. Pure joy and enchantment.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A beautiful romantic film with marvelous locations and great performances. Albert Finney owned the film... partially, with his superb portrayal of an alcoholic ruthless man; but Robin Wright was not only beautiful in this movie, she did an outstanding job, as well did Aidan Quinn. I found the film quite reminiscent of John Ford's "The Quiet Man", at least in visual style and mostly because both are beautiful love stories set in a small Irish village. While Ford's film is an undeniable classic, this film is not far behind. It is much less known, but I think it's almost as good. It had as well little moments of comedy, especially the "Gone with the Wind" parody at the small theater, which was an extremely funny scene. The film contained especially near the end, some really intense scenes, which were brilliantly done, mostly because of Finney's top-notch acting work. Perhaps there have been many more films of this genre better than this, but still I consider this a very nice addition and a worth-seeing motion picture. Pure joy and enchantment.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Was an average drama of love attraction jealousy etc. Good performances but nothing spectacular in the story

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The Playboys is low-key and disarming, and its appeal sneaks up on you. A film of surprising charm and resonance. By no means amazing, but an all-together watchable Irish treat.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Gillies MacKinnon

Director

Albert Finney

Constable Brendan Hegarty

Aidan Quinn

Tom Casey

Robin Wright

Tara Maguire

Milo O'Shea

Freddie

Alan Devlin

Malone

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

This familiar pattern of headstrong girl and passions brimming beneath the surface is well directed by first time Scottish helmer Gillies MacKinnon, though the pace slows in middle reels as plot gives way to the troupe's enjoyable stage performances.

Mar 11, 2008

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Not amazing but watchable.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 11, 2008

Full Review

Terry Francis

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

MacKinnon's gifts are abundant and ringing, the rare example of a first time director reaching early maturity. His pacing of scenes is an example of subtle phrasing in art. And his work with actors is superb.

May 9, 2023

Full Review

Brian D. Johnson

Maclean's Magazine

The Playboys is the enthralling story of a fiercely independent woman who defies the moral rectitude of her Roman Catholic community in the 1950s.

Oct 11, 2019

Full Review

Film4

The wry Irish wit sits like froth on the head of a glass of Guinness, masking a deceptively bitter brew.

Mar 11, 2008

Full Review

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Synopsis

Father Malone (Alan Devlin) is scandalized that expectant mother Tara Maguire (Robin Wright) has not yet found a husband. In an attempt to keep her holy in the eyes of God, Malone sets Tara up with aging bachelor Brendan Hegarty (Albert Finney). But when Tara falls instead for Tom Casey (Aidan Quinn), an actor in a ribald wandering theater troupe called the Playboys, the priest's plan fails. Furious that Tara does not reciprocate his feelings, Hegarty plots to keep Tara and Tom apart.

Director: Gillies MacKinnon
Screenwriter: Shane Connaughton
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Apr 20, 2004
Box Office (Gross USA): $4.9M
Sound Mix: Surround