ROTTEN TOMATOES: Erin Go Bragh! Ten Great Irish Movies

Erin Go Bragh! Ten Great Irish Movies

by RT Staff

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97%

Once

Shot on a budget of $150,000 across 17 days, Once sings the simple but never slight tale of a Dublin busker (Glen Hansard) and a Czech flower girl (Marketa Irglova). Over the course of a week, the two form a relationship based on their mutual love for music and deep-seated desire for human connection. Critics, audiences, and even the Academy responded to Once's heart-on-its-sleeve authenticity; it was shot discreetly on Ireland's streets, shops, and backroads, and each of its songs are seamlessly integrated into the story. Once "[elegantly captures] the alchemy of songwriting," writes Lisa Rose of the Newark Star-Ledger, "Not to mention the alchemy of fleeting romance."

100%

Darby O'Gill and the Little People

Need a sweetly pictorial view of the Emerald Isle? Look no further than Darby O'Gill and the Little People: it's got the lush countryside and guys in hats drinking pints, along with banshees and tricksy leprechauns guarding pots of gold and teasing out riddles. Albert Sharpe stars as Darby, a village fool who tangles with King Brian, ruler of the leprechauns, through a series of comic misadventures. Though initially a box office disappointment (which especially rankled Walt Disney, since he spent nearly 10 years developing and producing the project), the movie holds its own against the era's other live-action Disney movies. It's "[an] overpoweringly charming concoction of standard Gaelic tall stories, fantasy and romance," wrote New York Times' A.H. Weiler, and we agree: The Little People are perfect for family viewing on Sunday evenings.

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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)

Once

Darby O'Gill and the Little People

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