The Commitments (1991)

St. Patrick’s Day Movie #1 (first of Roddy Doyle’s Barrytown trilogy...alas, I have The Snapper as well, but not The Van)

Synopsis: Young Irish lads and lasses form 1960s-style soul band because...um, you know, that still doesn’t make a lot of sense.

Blurb From the VHS Jacket: “What a concept:  a frank, entertaining and utterly believable movie about the sweet, small victories and fatal screw-ups of a young rebel soul band straight outta the Dublin ghetto, starring real musicians and singers whacking away at great R&B crackers from the sixties.” – David Fricke, ROLLING STONE [nothing but reviews on the back of the jacket]

What Did I Learn?: The Northsiders are the “blacks” of Dublin, Dubliners are the “blacks” of Ireland, and the Irish are the “blacks” of Europe, according to Jimmy Rabitte.

You Might Like This Movie If: You enjoy all things Irish.

Really?: Is there really much demand in Dublin for local, white soul music? And I had a bit of trouble believing the older trumpet player would want to hang out with a bunch of kids, or that they would keep him around after he started banging the chicks in the band.

Rating: Filled with humour and great music, The Commitments is a warm and wonderful little movie. 9/10 stars.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101605/