ROTTEN TOMATOES: Erin Go Bragh! Ten Great Irish Movies

Erin Go Bragh! Ten Great Irish Movies

by RT Staff

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95%

In the Name of the Father

Based on a true story, Father stars Daniel Day-Lewis as Gerry Conlon, a petty crook and freewheeler who's implicated, along with several friends, in an IRA bombing plot in Belfast. Conlon confesses under duress, and is jailed with his father, who's also been falsely accused. As a spirited defense attorney (Emma Thompson) works to free Conlon, he becomes closer to his father than ever before -- and matures in the process. Jim Sheridan's fine film doesn't just feature an embarrassment of great acting; it's also a powerful tale of the Troubles, the search for justice, and the bonds of family. "It is an injection into a society at war, Northern Ireland and England in the Seventies and a compelling account of a son and father making their peace," wrote Robert Faires of the Austin Chronicle.

97%

The Snapper

Roddy Doyle's "Barrytown" trilogy of novels had already inspired The Commitments, which necessitated a change in last names for the family at the center of this story -- 20th Century Fox, you see, owns the film rights to Doyle's Rabbitte family -- but the wit and blue-collar charm at the heart of Doyle's books is still here in spades. It's a familiar story (small-town girl gets pregnant, family rallies around her, laughs and tears ensue in equal measure), but thanks to Doyle's screenplay, Stephen Frears' sure-handed direction, and a terrific cast that includes the always-reliable Colm Meaney, critics fell in love with The Snapper almost unanimously. Among the crowd were writers such as Empire's Kim Newman, who lauded the film as "a rare attempt to make drama of ordinary people doing the right thing."

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(1-17 of 17 posts) | Reply

Samuel Vimes writes:
on Mar 16 2009 05:44 PM

Obviously this is based on Tomatometer ratings, but I have to give a shout out for The Boondock Saints. At 17% Fresh there's no way it'll make it on this list.

It still beats the pants off of Darby O'Gill.

(Reply to this)

rachel_renegade writes:
on Mar 16 2009 05:54 PM

In reply to this comment (#2376613)
I knew someone was going to mention it.

Personally, I thought the Boondock Saints was horrible, and i know ill get a lot of flak for saying that.

(Reply to this)

Salty Gritts writes:
on Mar 16 2009 06:08 PM

Boondock Saints is way overrated. I can't understand why so many people love that movie.

(Reply to this)

joshua p. writes:
on Mar 16 2009 06:44 PM

boondock saints you either love or hate.i loved it personally.but i thing one of the best was In Bruge.Dark,funny and well put together.

(Reply to this)

nathanpoitras writes:
on Mar 16 2009 07:04 PM

I disagree with Salty Gritts, Boondock Saints isn't way overrated, it's waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay overrated. I don't know how it got it's cult following because it's really not good at all.

(Reply to this)

nathanpoitras writes:
on Mar 16 2009 07:07 PM

Haven't see The Odd Man Out, but would like to since it's Carol Reed, but Once and In the Name of the Father are both fantastic.

(Reply to this)

Colyn B. writes:
on Mar 16 2009 07:30 PM

I agree that Boondock Saints was overrated. All my friends were like OMG WATCH THIS MOVIE! So I finally did and I just said to myself "Seriously this is it?" Im not saying its not enjoyable because it is a good film but people really overhyped the crap out of it, and it isnt THAT good.

(Reply to this)

Colyn B. writes:
on Mar 16 2009 07:32 PM

Im actually suprised by the lack of The Wind That Shakes The Barley on this list. I hear amazing things about that film.

(Reply to this)

rsr5001 writes:
on Mar 16 2009 07:47 PM

Where is Waking Ned Devine?? I guess it's tomatometer didn't quite make the cut.

(Reply to this)

ledawg1138 writes:
on Mar 16 2009 09:27 PM

Now "Once" is a great film! Love it so much. I think I'll watch it again.

(Reply to this)

Solonik -. writes:
on Mar 16 2009 10:07 PM

In reply to this comment (#2376636)
I liked the concept, and aside from the two main characters and Willem Dafoe if they would have just recast it and had a real screenwriter pen the thing it could be a much better action film.

(Reply to this)

ColinTheCimmerian writes:
on Mar 16 2009 11:20 PM

Agreed with Solonik; Boondock Saints has an interesting concept and likeable leads, but is for the most part poorly executed. I think whether someone hates it or loves it depends upon which they hold in higher esteem, concept or execution. I tend to favour the former over the latter (I like a lot of badly made movies just because I like the themes/plots/characters), so I like it, but I'll certainly agree that it's overrated in the sense that it wasn't particularly well done.

(Reply to this)

rockclmbr6 writes:
on Mar 17 2009 04:47 AM

I have seen "better" movies, but Once is my favorite movie of all time. Saw it, loved it, bought the soundtrack, loved it, saw them in concert, LOVED it...

And right now my mom has lent it out to one of her co-workers. Gah.

(Reply to this)

JohnnyJonJon writes:
on Mar 17 2009 08:17 AM

If you're a fan of Day-Lewis, check out The Boxer. It's a fascinating look at the IRA, and Danny boy is, as always, terrific. Kudos on Once!

(Reply to this)

arendr writes:
on Mar 18 2009 12:11 PM

Ugh...not a fan of The Boondock Saints at all.

Nice to see Darby O'Gill on here.

(Reply to this)

ben a. writes:
on Mar 18 2009 12:50 PM

In reply to this comment (#2376636)
you're right. 'the boondock saints' was one of the worst movies i've ever seen.

(Reply to this)

Bigbrother writes:
on Mar 20 2009 06:42 PM

Shocked by all the hate for Boondock Saints. If nothing else it was fun. Never heard so many people say a movie with a 17% Tomatoe rating was "over-rated".

(Reply to this)

In the Name of the Father

The Snapper

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