Dancing at Lughnasa (1998)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Don't listen to the negative reviews

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

I don't really know what else to say about this. It was dull. Dull, dull, dull.The acting was fine, but with nowhere to go. And I don't think it made much sense to have the boy as the narrator. I'd personally favor the eldest sister, Kate, or the 'simple' sister, Rose in that role.So much more could have been done with this film. The character of Father Jack was interesting, perhaps there could have been more with him, or maybe we could have found out more about Kate whom we get almost no understanding of at all. And why did the boy love that summer? We don't actually see enough of him to figure it out.This movie did not intrigue or entertain. It could have been better, but it wasn't. Try it out if you'd like, but my advice is, 'Don't waste your time.'

Given the luxury of owning films via DVD collections offers the opportunity to revisit at will the works the viewer found worthy of purchase. Such is the case with the luminous 'Dancing at Lughnasa', a 1998 release by director Pat O'Connor to the tunes of a lilting screenplay by Frank McGuinness based on Brian Friel's 1990 play of the same name. Though low key and not a popular hit at the box office, this is one of those rare films that combines a very simple tale about common folks brought to life by a cast of extraordinary actors.The story is set in Donnegal, Ireland in 1936 (just before WW II)choked the world) and simply relates the life of a family of five single sisters and the love child of one of them. The action is spare, centering on the visit of their brother home from the missionary work in Uganda inalterably changed from the experience, on the loss of job of the supporting eldest sister, and the return of the errant father of the love child for the summer, and other daily challenges. The stresses and strains these small events play on the sisters is eventually climaxed in the dancing festival that marks the Feast of Lughnasa (a persistent pagan celebration that challenges the very Catholic foundation of the Irish community), a compelling event that parallels the returned priest brother from the mission fields where he has gained insight into the desperate need for community, happiness, dancing and celebration as the essential needs of humankind.The cast is flawless: Meryl Streep is superb as the elder sister bitterly bound to holding the family together at all costs, Catherine McCormack as the mother of the lovechild, Kathy Burke, Sophie Thompson and Brid Brennan; Michael Gambon as the deranged returned brother; and Rhys Ifans as the errant father of the child. They interact and play like fine chamber music. The brilliantly green and gorgeous countryside is captured eloquently by Kenneth MacMillan. In every aspect of production the film fits like a tightly intertwined puzzle. It simply glows. Revisiting 'Dancing at Lughnasa' is an even finer trip than the first exposure. Highly Recommended.

Ask yourself something... How many movies have you seen where all of the principal characters are women. Not too many I bet.This movie is a gem and definitely worth seeing.Takes place in rural Ireland in 1936 and consists of the dynamics and interpersonal relations of a group of 5 sisters, 1 brother, 1 son and a mostly absentee father.Outstanding cinematography, wonderful screenplay, good solid flavorful characters (even the few minor male roles - Michael Gambon steals the show every time he appears) and the cast ensemble just blends effortlessly.I would venture to bet that the people who didn't care for this movie, didn't like it because it isn't a happy "Joy-Joy" ending; In fact, it repeatedly lifts you up and takes you down again running the whole range of powerful emotions. Welcome to Life 101 ladies and gentleman! Life has it's bittersweet moments which give it meaning and substance.If you value character development and portrayal, then you'll love this movie just like I did.

OK, we should all know by now that Meryl Streep is one of the few Americans who can do a believable accent. So, she makes use of that ability here as a woman in 1930s Ireland. She and her sisters spend their days making the most of life.Some of us may think that there are a few too many stories about Irish people making the most of life. Maybe so, but really, who doesn't like making the most of life? And after all the terrible things that have happened to the Irish, do we really wish to slam them like that? So anyway, "Dancing at Lughnasa" isn't any kind of great movie, but worth seeing, if only once. Also starring Rhys Ifans (who later starred in "Little Nicky", "The Shipping News" and "Human Nature").