We hope all our followers and clients enjoy the coming St. Patricks Day festival and remember to stay safe.
After all the parades, mint milkshakes and celebrating, why not stick your feet up and enjoy a great modern Irish film after an eventful day, recommended by our movie expert Richard. Or, better yet, have a laugh at the “so bad they’re good” attempts at the Irish accent by Hollywood stars.
Best Irish Films:
The Guard (2011)
Brother of Martin McDonagh, director of In Bruges, John Michael McDonagh directed this little gem of a film in 2011. The Guard has become known for capturing the native Irish wit and humour and for another fine performance from Brendan Gleeson.
Once (2006)
Director John Carney created a faithful and relatable love story of a busker and an immigrant through the use of music in this Dublin set 2006 musical drama. The original song “Falling Slowly” went on to win the “Best Original Song” academy award at the Oscars that year.
Calvary (2014)
Another film directed by John Michael McDonagh and another great acting performance from Brendan Gleeson. Dispensing with the trademark humour from his previous film, John Michael McDonagh instead focuses on the internal conflict of a Priest in modern Ireland, trusting Brendan Gleeson to carry the film which he more than achieves.
Frank (2014)
Both unique and quirky in its story, Frank tells the touching story of an oddball band and the enigmatic and lead singer “Frank” played masterfully by Michael Fassbender. Domhnall Gleeson, Brendan Gleesons son, also co-stars.
In Bruges (2008)
Marking somewhat of a comeback for star Colin Farrell and a directorial debut for Martin McDonagh, In Bruges leads the way in terms of acting, story, setting and humour. In Bruges is a film that can be both side splitting funny and immensely touching even during a single scene.
It should be noted how Brendan Gleeson and his performances, starring in three of the above films, stands as a testament to Irish acting and overall, Ireland’s place in Hollywood.
Worst Irish Accents in films:
Leonardo DiCaprio – Gangs of New York
While his co-star Cameron Diaz also butchers the Irish Accent, Leonardo DiCaprio’s accent in the 2002 film Gangs of New York switches between his native Los Angeles accent and his inferior Irish accent mid-sentence distracting from the overall film.
Gerald Butler – P.S. I love you
Scottish born Gerald Butler managed to sound like old fashioned Irish Leprechaun by attempting to master the Irish accent in this film. He himself has since apologised for his train wreck attempt at the accent in an interview.
Julia Roberts – Michael Collins
Julia Roberts has become a repeat offender of the bad Irish accent, twice within the one year. First starring as Mary Reilly in “Mary Reilly” and then playing Kitty Kiernan, Michael Collins lover in Michael Collins. Her cringe worthy accent defined every scene she acted in.
Brad Pitt – The Devil’s Own
Brad Pitts attempt to perfect the Northern Ireland accent by walking around the streets of Belfast fell short to deliver a believable accent in this film.
Kevin Spacey – Ordinary Decent Criminal
Long before he played Frank Underwood on House Of Cards, Kevin Spacey starred as Michael Lynch in the 2000 film – Ordinary Decent Criminal. Strange how the Irish Director plus Spaceys co-star Colin Farrell failed to notice how dire his Irish dialect was.
This years St Patrick’s Day blog post brought to you by our tech and film guru, Richard Clark-Elliott.
