Hear My Song (1991)

TOMATOMETER

90%
85%

Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.

AUDIENCE SCORE

78%

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Movie Info

The owner of a British nightclub attempts to do the impossible by coaxing a legendary Irish tenor out of retirement for a once-in-a-lifetime show in this engagingly quirky comedy. The owner, Mickey O'Neill, is particularly desperate to land a performance by the great Josef Locke, as his already questionable reputation was ruined when he booked an impostor claiming to be Locke. Now only providing a show by the real thing can make up for it. Trouble is, Locke fled England several decades before to avoid charges of tax evasion, and would face immediate arrest upon his return. Naturally, the comedy emerges from O'Neill's desperate attempts to convince Locke to participate in the scheme. Much of the film's charm comes from the presentation of eccentric but believable characters, particularly Locke himself -- a real historical figure given warm life by Ned Beatty, who was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for his performance. The film as a whole manages a similar balancing act between realism and comic fantasy, grounding even the less believable aspect of the narrative in strongly observed local color.

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Cast

Ned Beatty
as Josef Locke
Adrian Dunbar
as Mickey
David McCallum
as Abbott
Tara Fitzgerald
as Nancy
Shirley Ann Field
as Kathleen
William Hootkins
as Mr. X
James Nesbitt
as Fintan
Harold Berens
as Benny Rose
Brian Hoey
as Mr. X
John Dair
as Derek
Stephen Marcus
as Gordon
Britta Smith
as Kitty Ryan
Gladys Sheehan
as Grandma Ryan
Gina Moxley
as Brenda Ryan
Norman Vaughan
as Norman Vaughan
Brian Flanagan
as Young Micky O'Neill
Constance Cowley
as Nurse
Marie Mullen
as Micky's Mum
Phil Kelly
as Ronnie Lavelle
Jean Blanchflower
as Ronnie's Mum
John Neville Rufus Altman
as Oscar Harrison
Joe Cuddy
as Franc Cinatra
Rúaidhrí Conroy
as Grandson Ryan
Bill Maynard
as Barry Haden
Aidan Grenell
as Compere
Aiden Grennell
as Compere
Donna McReady
as Young Cathleen
Terry David Mulligan
as Young Jo
Terry Adams
as Dressmaker
Terence Orr
as Receiver
Bal Moane
as Brewery Man
Laurie Morton
as Molly
Brian McGrath
as Barman
Jim Mooney
as Drunk in Pub
Jimmy Keogh
as Jo's Boy
Liam O'Callaghan
as Jo's Boy
Paddy Cole
as Jo's Boy
Maurice Blake
as Jo's Boy
Tony Morando
as Jo's Boy
Anna Manahan
as Mrs. McGlinchy
Tommy Lack
as Old Musician
Agnes Bernelle
as Receptionist
Mary McLeod Bethune
as Librarian
Pat Laffan
as 1st Taxi Driver
Vernon Midgley
as Josef Locke
Frank Kelly
as 2nd Taxi Driver
David Beggs
as 3rd Taxi Driver
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Critic Reviews for Hear My Song

All Critics (29) | Top Critics (13)

Genuine escapism may be the true lost art of movies, which is all the more reason to celebrate the unexpected charm of the English/Irish comedy Hear My Song.

Feb 6, 2018 | Full Review…
Newsweek
Top Critic

A thoroughly original romantic comedy.

May 16, 2015 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
Chicago Tribune
Top Critic

Beatty brings great comic flair and vulnerability to his role as a pub-crawling, poker-playing, handkerchief-waving singer on the lam, who is, in his own way, on the level.

May 16, 2015 | Full Review…
People Magazine
Top Critic

The many charms of Hear My Song hinge on its deft balance of the puckish humor of the present situation and a genuine sense of loss and roads not taken in the past.

May 16, 2015 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…
Philadelphia Inquirer
Top Critic

Such an unalloyed joy is this Anglo-Irish comedy that it recalls the great Ealing classics of the '50s.

May 16, 2015 | Full Review…
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic

Hear My Song isn't much more than an anecdote, but the actors lend this sweet, delicate wisp of a movie a surprisingly large spirit.

Sep 7, 2011 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…
Entertainment Weekly
Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (29)

Audience Reviews for Hear My Song

Not particularly memorable for me.

John Ballantine
John Ballantine

Super Reviewer

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Hear My Song Quotes

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