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MOVIES / ON DVD / THE COMMITMENTS
The Commitments

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The Commitments (1991)

91%
86%
86%
N/A
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N/A
91 %
Reviews Counted: 35 Fresh: 32  Rotten:3 Average Rating: 7.6/10
Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins
Synopsis:
Alan Parker's THE COMMITMENTS, based on Roddy Doyle's buoyant debut novel, follows the enjoyable travails of a band cobbled together by young Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins), whose vision is to bring soul music to Dublin. After putting an ad in the local paper, Jimmy assembles an unlikely... [More]
Alan Parker's THE COMMITMENTS, based on Roddy Doyle's buoyant debut novel, follows the enjoyable travails of a band cobbled together by young Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins), whose vision is to bring soul music to Dublin. After putting an ad in the local paper, Jimmy assembles an unlikely group of musicians who, though nervous, raw, and rough, make music that speaks to something very near the heart of their audience of curious kids and sharp-tongued, sarcastic relatives. As the band nears its big break, egos clash and expectations of fame and fortune start to tear them apart, forcing Jimmy to fight desperately to keep them together. THE COMMITMENTS bubbles over with life, largely on the strength of the young, mostly unknown cast. Andrew Strong shines in the role of the lead singer exuding a volatile and irresistible charisma as he transforms rapidly from an unsure adolescent into an egotistical spotlight hogger. Colm Meaney contributes a hilarious cameo as Jimmy's father (a role that would expand in two later film adaptations of Doyle novels, THE SNAPPER and THE VAN). Pumped along by killer 1960s soul tunes and crackling throughout with quick-witted dialogue, THE COMMITMENTS is an effervescent, affecting tour through working-class Dublin. [Less]

Genre: Dramas

Starring: Robert Arkins, Michael Aherne, Angeline Ball, Maria Doyle, Dave Finnegan

Director: Alan Parker
Screenwriter: Roddy Doyle, Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais
Producer: Lynda Myles, Roger Randall-Cutler

DVD Info

Release:

Mar 4, 2008

[DVD Details]

DVD Features:

  • Region 1
  • Keep Case

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
  • Dolby Surround - French, Spanish
  • Disc 1: THE COMMITMENTS - Widescreen
  • Widescreen - 1.85

Additional Release Material:

  • Audio Commentary - Alan Parker - Director
  • Disc 2: THE COMMITMENTS - Supplemental Material

Additional Release Material:

  • Behind the Scenes - "Making of"
  • Documentaries - 1. "The Making of THE COMMITMENTS"
  • 2. "The Commitments: Looking Back"
  • 3. "Dublin Soul: The Working Class & Changing Face of Dublin"
  • Music Video - 1. "Treat Her Right" - The Commitments (Intro by Alan Parker and Robert Arkins)
  • 2. "Before the Next Tear Drop Falls" - Andrew Strong
  • 3. "Taking on the World" - Robert Arkins
  • Trailers - 1. Theatrical Trailer
  • 2. TV Spots (6)
  • 3. Radio Spots (4)

Text/Image Galleries:

  • Stills/Photos - Gallery (10)

Buy It On DVD

Reviews

 
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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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Ratings Image

No review available.

| Comment
04/06/08 10:14 AM
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
Ratings Image

This typically slick but largely enjoyable Alan Parker offering is the story of the rise and demise of a young Irish soul band.

Full Review | Comment
03/10/08 05:39 PM
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Ratings Image

Director Alan Parker's story of a band of young Dubliners playing American '60s soul is fresh, well-executed and original.

Full Review | Comment
03/10/08 05:38 PM
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

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.

Full Review | Comment
03/10/08 05:37 PM
Channel 4 Film
Ratings Image

This is probably Alan Parker's best film, in part because it's one of his most modest.

Full Review | Comment
03/10/08 05:36 PM
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

Foul-mouthed, fast-talking and very funny, this is Parker's best to date.

Full Review | Comment
06/24/06 03:26 AM
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
Ratings Image

No review available.

| Comment
10/15/05 10:18 PM
Chuck O'Leary
Fantastica Daily
Ratings Image

High-energy fun

| Comment
10/07/05 02:35 AM
James Sanford
Kalamazoo Gazette
Ratings Image

No review available.

| Comment
06/30/05 04:36 PM
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Ratings Image

No review available.

| Comment
06/03/05 10:45 AM
Andy Klein
Los Angeles CityBeat
Ratings Image

No review available.

| Comment
05/18/05 01:23 PM
Nicolas Lacroix
EnPrimeur.ca
Ratings Image

Has the raw power of a documentary and a driving musical soundtrack.

| Comment
03/11/05 10:53 AM
James Plath
Reel.com
Ratings Image

Pure pleasure on every level.

Full Review | Comment
03/22/04 02:40 PM
Matt Brunson
Creative Loafing
Ratings Image

Groundwork for The Full Monty school of condescending films about noble blue-collar western Europeans who like their beer dark and their unemployment light.

Full Review | Comment
03/14/04 07:20 PM
Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central
Ratings Image

If it’s light on meaning, it’s strong at presenting the visceral pleasures of music, which can be extremely difficult to do

Full Review | Comment
02/22/04 08:24 PM
Mark Athitakis
Filmcritic.com
Ratings Image

Alan Parker -- stick to music-related projects! You're great at them!

| Comment
02/04/04 10:47 AM
Gregory Weinkauf
New Times
Ratings Image

No review available.

| Comment
10/08/03 02:22 AM
Nell Minow
Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Ratings Image

A surprisingly blissful combo of Brit humor and Soul music.

| Comment
08/10/03 01:15 PM
Brian Mckay
eFilmCritic.com
Ratings Image

A full-steam-ahead cinematic triumph propelled by the raw energy of a talented cast and the vibrancy of a dozen soul classics.

Full Review | Comment
07/18/03 07:57 PM
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice
Ratings Image

Mr. Parker is capable of whipping a series of quick, well-edited snippets into a happy collage of musical high spirits.

Full Review | Comment
05/20/03 05:08 PM
Janet Maslin
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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Related Forums

'The Commitments' named one of top five Irish films!
by: RottingTomato 3/27


REEL_REVIEWER
THE COMMITMENTS - Do you like soul music?
by: REEL_REVIEWER 1/4


REEL_REVIEWER
THE COMMITMENTS - Do you like soul music?
by: REEL_REVIEWER 1/4


REEL_REVIEWER
THE COMMITMENTS - Do you like soul music?
by: REEL_REVIEWER 1/4


REEL_REVIEWER
THE COMMITMENTS - Do you like soul music?
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