Rory O'Shea Was Here (2005)
Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins
Theatrical Release: Feb 4, 2005 Limited
Synopsis: The winner of the Audience Award at the 2004 Edinburgh International Film Festival, Rory O'Shea Was Here is an extraordinary story of determination that fuses highly emotional drama with bracingly boisterous humor. Inspired by the experiences of real people, the film follows two young men... The winner of the Audience Award at the 2004 Edinburgh International Film Festival, Rory O'Shea Was Here is an extraordinary story of determination that fuses highly emotional drama with bracingly boisterous humor. Inspired by the experiences of real people, the film follows two young men with physical disabilities as they band together and seize an opportunity to savor life on their own terms. All his life, Michael Connolly (Steven Robertson) has lived in the residential care of Dublin's Carrigmore Home for the Disabled. Michael has cerebral palsy, uses a motorized wheelchair, and has a significant speech impairment. Most people find it difficult to make out what he is saying, and simply stop trying. But Rory O'Shea (James McAvoy), a new arrival at Carrigmore, is not like most people -- or any of the other Carrigmore residents. Rory is able to understand Michael. Rory has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a degenerative muscle-wasting condition. All Rory has are the use of two of his fingers, partial movements of his head -- and unlimited use of his mouth. These two young men form a friendship that empowers them to look beyond Carrigmore and its inflexible supervisor Eileen (Brenda Fricker). After the rebellious and outspoken Rory masterminds a field trip to pub and nightclub, Michael is emboldened and motivated to finesse an appeal to Ability Ireland for a personal-assistance grant. His appeal is successful, enabling the two friends to move into a flat of their own and recruit the disarming Siobhan (Romola Garai) to assist them with their daily needs. Rory and Michael both develop growing feelings for Siobhan, and their rivalry for her attention only further accelerates their shared journey towards true independence and liberation. -- © Focus Features [More]
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Steven Robertson, James McAvoy, Romola Garai, Brenda Fricker, James Flynn
DVD Info
Release:
Jun 14, 2005
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Snap Case
- Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35
- Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound - English
Additional Release Material:
- Deleted Scenes
- Alternate Scene - 1. Extended Party Sequence
Buy It On DVD
Reviews
A modest, relatively low-budget affair graced with strong stars and sharp dialogue.
Director Damien O'Donnell has achieved a warm and uplifting movie which is marred only by a brief drift into melodrama in the middle.
A technical mess. The final version looks like an unfinished cut.
O'Donnell should be lauded for offering a sensitive portrayal of disabled people without ever being patronizing.
Spiky-haired, handsome MacAvoy shows us how to be audacious and prominent without moving more than his face and two fingers.
Irish drama about disability, interdependence and self-determination is nothing new, but it's nicely made, with two great performances.
Tries and fails to juggle humor, sentimentality and political correctness with its punk war cry.
Rory O'Shea, challenging and difficult to watch at times, is to be applauded for taking us about as close to reality as a situation like this allows.
Perhaps a better moniker would have been One Flew Over My Left Foot.
Nobody will be shocked to learn people with cerebral palsy are people too
This problematic individual is quickly reduced to symbolic chump change. Pale martyrdom ensues, as he's dulled down and sanctified according to trite Hollywood formula. Yawn.
How ironic that a movie that claims to assert independence for the disabled cannot set its protagonists free for even a second.
Tries and fails to juggle humor, sentimentality and political correctness with its punk war cry.
...but that’s not enough to drag yourself or your loved ones to the cinema.
Director Damien O'Donnell and his terrific cast lend the film authenticity by quickly retreating whenever the proceedings threaten to get too cloying or sappy.
It's a nice effort, enlivened by the work of McAvoy. His O'Shea is a memorable rebel who keeps self-pity at bay with good humor, and the occasional pint of Guinness.

