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Movies / On DVD / Evelyn
Evelyn

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Evelyn (2002)

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Reviews Counted:106

Fresh:69

Rotten:37

Average Rating:6.1/10

Consensus: Though predictable and sometimes overly sentimental, Evelyn still manages to be heartwarming.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for thematic material and language

Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Dec 13, 2002 Limited

Box Office: $1,341,151

Synopsis: Pierce Brosnan stars as Desmond Doyle, an Irishman whose troubles mount after his philandering wife runs away with another man. As a single, unemployed father with a penchant for Dublin's pubs,... Pierce Brosnan stars as Desmond Doyle, an Irishman whose troubles mount after his philandering wife runs away with another man. As a single, unemployed father with a penchant for Dublin's pubs, Doyle is deemed an unfit parent, and his daughter and two younger sons are placed in orphanages. Despite his problems, Doyle is an utterly devoted dad and decides to fight for custody of his children and his right to raise them alone. Doyle's crack pro bono legal team--played by Stephen Rea, Aidan Quinn, and Alan Bates--takes his case all the way to the Irish Supreme Court in 1953, challenging the church and courts. Typically dapper Brosnan is exceedingly likable as down-on-his-luck Doyle, a common man who becomes a real-life hero, in this period piece. Sophie Vavasseur is a scene-stealer as Evelyn, Doyle's oldest child and the film's namesake, and Julianna Margulies adopts a believable accent as the barmaid who inspires Doyle to clean up his act if he wants his family back. Based on the true story of a court decision that changed the lives of many Irish families, EVELYN is directed by Bruce Beresford (TENDER MERCIES, DRIVING MISS DAISY). [More]

Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Aidan Quinn, Julianna Margulies, Stephen Rea

Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Aidan Quinn, Julianna Margulies, Stephen Rea, John Lynch, Sophie Vavasseur, Alan Bates

Director: Bruce Beresford

Director: Bruce Beresford
Screenwriter: Paul Pender
Producer: Pierce Brosnan, Beau St. Clair, Michael Ohoven
Composer: Stephen Endelman
Studio: MGM/UA

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Release:

Apr 15, 2008

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Reviews for Evelyn

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1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
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Good-looking, well-acted and now and then shamelessly sentimental paean to perseverance, spirit and Irish humor.

Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
12/13/02
John Anderson
John Anderson
Newsday
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Evelyn has little to do with real life. For a more realistic true story, try this: Clueless moviemakers sucker innocent moviegoers into paying nine bucks for a stupid movie.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
12/13/02
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

That the events really happened offers no excuse for the button-pushing, by-the-numbers approach taken by Beresford and screenwriter Paul Pender.

Full Review Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel | comment Comment
12/25/02
Todd Anthony
Todd Anthony
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Here's a sweet film to rent for Father's Day or Christmas. It's a heart-warmer, charming, and shot with a sugary cinematic eye.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | comment Comment
05/10/03
Ross Anthony
Ross Anthony
Hollywood Report Card

It's hardly clear why the case is 'hopeless' or why its legal precedent is dramatically important, but Beresford and his team whip up the puddin' into teary triumphs anyway.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
12/10/02
Michael Atkinson
Michael Atkinson
Village Voice
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Chock full of folksy predictability and transient emotion.

Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
12/18/02
Jeanne Aufmuth
Jeanne Aufmuth
Palo Alto Weekly

...ultimately reduces a potentially rich battle against the forces of inertia to utterly familiar melodramatic tropes.

Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer | comment Comment
12/19/02
Sean Axmaker
Sean Axmaker
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Beresford's direction makes sure that grit and a certain ugliness get equal screen time with the requisite heartwarming qualities.

Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
12/25/02
Joe Baltake
Joe Baltake
Sacramento Bee

This is Brosnan's film to own (but for the welcome screen time of the too-little-seen Alan Bates), and own it he does.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
12/29/02
Marjorie Baumgarten
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle

A film for those that rarely go to the movies 'because they don’t make movies like they used to.' Well, apparently they do...

Full Review Source: Spectrum (St. George, Utah) | comment Comment
03/11/03
Bruce Bennett
Bruce Bennett
Spectrum (St. George, Utah)

A shamelessly uplifting motion picture that attains its feel-good status by forging a deep emotional connection between the undertrodden protagonist and the audience.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
12/10/02
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Evelyn jerks some earnestly sentimental tears, but for a true story it sure feels fake.

Full Review Source: SPLICEDWire | comment Comment
12/15/02
Rob Blackwelder
Rob Blackwelder
SPLICEDWire

It's charming.

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
12/13/02
Liz Braun
Liz Braun
Jam! Movies

Director Bruce Beresford follows a straightforward and predictable path, yet succeeds in pulling your emotional strings even when you know what’s coming.

Full Review Source: Des Moines Register | comment Comment
01/31/03
Jeffrey Bruner
Jeffrey Bruner
Des Moines Register

Adults might find the movie on the slight side, though it's a good choice for family night viewing.

Full Review Source: Creative Loafing | comment Comment
02/26/03
Matt Brunson
Matt Brunson
Creative Loafing

A heart-affecting portrait of a loving father whose nurturing instincts come to the fore in a crisis situation with his children.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
12/13/02
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

After The Tailor of Panama made it clear that Brosnan can slide into character-based comedy with ease, Evelyn proves that his more challenging, dramatic work is in desperate need of being vigorously shaken and stirred.

Full Review Source: FilmStew.com | comment Comment
06/12/03
Brett Buckalew
Brett Buckalew
FilmStew.com

It's the relationship between Desmond and his daughter Evelyn (Sophie Vavasseur) that gives the movie its heart and emotional heft.

Full Review Source: Kansas City Star | comment Comment
01/10/03
Robert W. Butler
Robert W. Butler
Kansas City Star

...could very well prove to be Brosnan's 'The Sand Pebbles', a standout dramatic performance from an action star looking to be taken seriously.

Full Review Source: Countingdown.com | comment Comment
12/13/02
Larry Carroll
Larry Carroll
Countingdown.com

Evelyn sports the sort of diminishing returns cheered by idiots.

Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment Comment
12/24/02
Walter Chaw
Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central
 
 
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