Evelyn (2002)

Wonderful Movie

One of my all time favorites.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

I don't mind how the movie diverges from the actual story as its primary purpose is entertainment but I found the movie's script let things down enormously. I found the script was extremely blatant and was very cliché. Fortunately the strength of the story (the story, not the script), the acting and the directing make the movie enjoyable enough. If only this movie had a better writer then the story could have made a much bigger impact.ERRATA: ccthemovieman-1 writes in his review, "The story is based a true situation in the mid 1950s Ireland in which, in the end, the Irish Constitution was amended because of this case." Neither in the movie nor in the real events from which the movie is based was the Irish Constitution amended. SPOILER: In both, Desmond Doyle's victory is achieved by challenging the constitutional validity of the law which was used to refuse Desmond custody of his children. The supreme court held that the statute conflicts with the constitution and is therefore invalid (hence that law could no longer be used to deprive Desmond of custody).

Most of the portrayals in this movie were exceptionally well done and for the most part authentic. The interaction between Pierce and Sophie was absolute perfection. All of the cultural aspects of living in Ireland mid- twentieth century are in place, and the story is one you are not likely to forget. One exception in the cast line up is Julianna Margulies whose character is too one-dimensional to be believable and instead of being sympathetic just fades into the background. A strong performance by Aidan Quinn as an American lawyer visiting Ireland were very supporting, if not entirely the truth. My largest complaint for seeing it in the theater was that much of the movie was filmed too darkly and it was difficult to view. The DVD conversion has corrected this problem and it is no longer an issue. The central theme of this film is one of the church having too much judicial power in Ireland is dealt with very strongly and was highly effective. I would recommend this movie on all counts.

Something totally different for actor Pierce Brosnan, and he makes the best of it in a terrific performance.Desmond Doyle (Brosnan) is a poor Irish father, married with 3 children. His wife deserts him and as he has no finances, the state takes his loving children away and places the boys in one school and his daughter, Evelyn, in a convent.His lovely daughter meets up with one kind nun but one so vicious played by a lady whose last name is Irvine. I haven't seen such cruelty displayed by a nun since Gladys Cooper in "The Song of Bernadette."Brosnan, a house painter and part-time singer, shows tremendous depth in this role of a hard-drinking, heavy smoking individual whose love for his children transcends all.He engages two attorneys played by Stephen Rea and Aidan Quinn to help him. In turn, they pursue another retired attorney, the late Alan Bates, who provides comic relief with his performance.The picture focuses on the attempts of the attorneys to change Irish law that would allow one parent in such a situation to decide what's right for his child.Irish eyes are certainly smiling on Doyle, he immediately touches the hearts of the people in his plain, sympathetic style. Heart-wrenching and a joy to view. Don't miss it.

This a sweet little movie that details a real-life legal battle that took place in Ireland in 1953, when an unemployed alcoholic father who's wife runs off to New Zealand has his three children taken away "because that's the law" and placed in church-run orphanages. He petitions the Irish Supreme Court and sets a new precedent for Irish parental rights. Everyone who seems amazed that Pierce Brosnan can play the part of an average working guy (Desmond), will probably be astounded to find out that he is doing his own singing in the pub! The beginning of this film moves slowly, and it almost falls into anti-Catholic stereotypes, but although it skirts the edge, it never quite tips over. Characters are real - Desmond reacts as many a father would in such a situation - at first he falls into despair, but then he pulls himself together and fights back. The "victory" speech at the end, by the little girl, Evelyn, is predictably sweet, but Evelyn did speak at the trial, and the law did change, so one can forgive the sweetness.