The Commitments biography
The Commitments is a 1991 comedy-drama film adaptation of the novel The Commitments by Roddy Doyle. It tells of unemployed Dubliners who form a soul band. It was directed by Alan Parker from a screenplay adapted by Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais, and Doyle himself. The film was an international co-production between companies in Ireland, the UK, and the United States. It was filmed on location in Dublin.
Plot
Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins) aspires to manage the world's greatest band, with only one music in mind: soul. Disgusted with bands in Ireland, he assembles a soul band in the tradition of Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Wilson Pickett. Jimmy holds auditions at his parents' house and assembles a group of young musicians. Unlike his idols, Jimmy's band is all white. With the help of Joey "The Lips" Fagan, the veteran musician in the band who has unlikely stories about meeting and working with famous musicians, Jimmy begins to whip the rest of the members into shape - only to have the group fall apart in a clash of egos.
Cast
The cast were mostly unknown before filming, chosen for their musical rather than acting ability.
- Robert Arkins as Jimmy Rabbitte, manager. Arkins was initially considered for the role of Deco until the filmmakers discovered Andrew Strong. He sings only in the film's video.
- Colm Meaney as Jimmy Rabbitte, Sr.
- Andrew Strong as Declan "Deco" Cuffe, lead singer. His father, Rob Strong, was brought in as a vocal coach and Parker heard his son singing and auditioned him for Deco. Strong was 16.
- Maria Doyle as Natalie Murphy, backing singer
- Bronagh Gallagher as Bernie McGloughlin, backing singer. Born in Derry, Northern Ireland, Gallagher had to learn a Dublin accent.
- Angeline Ball as Imelda Quirke, backing singer.
- Glen Hansard as Outspan Foster, Guitar.
- Kenneth McCluskey as Derek "Meatman" Scully, bass.
- Johnny Murphy as Joey "The Lips" Fagan, trumpet. A number of established musicians were considered, including Rory Gallagher and Van Morrison. Morrison insisted his songs be used in the film. Parker insisted that an established actor mentor the largely untrained cast.
- Félim Gormley as Dean Fay, sax.
- Michael Aherne as Steven Clifford, piano.
- Dave Finnegan as Mickah Wallace, drums
- Dick Massey as Billy Mooney, drums.
- Andrea Corr as Sharon, Jimmy's younger sister, who does not sing in the film.
- Peter Rowan as the skateboarding boy who wants to audition for the band.
- Colm Mac Con Iomaire as an auditioning fiddler.
- Jim Corr as a Guitarist
- Sharon Corr As a Violin Player
- Caroline Corr just a face in the crowd.
Reception
The film won the BAFTA Award for Best Film, as well as BAFTA Awards for Best Director, Best Editing (Gerry Hambling), and Best Adapted Screenplay. It was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy and for the Academy Award for Best Film Editing.
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