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The Commitments [1991]
![The Commitments [1991]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51M0JJJ49SL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £12.99
Our Price: £2.94 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
An irresistible, comic drama from director Alan Parker (Evita, Mississippi Burning), overflowing and alive with passion, humor and music, The Commitments showcases some old R&B standards in a new light. A headstrong, fast-talking, ambitious young Dubliner (Robert Arkins) fancies himself a promoter of talent, and sets about assembling and packaging a local Irish R&B band. His group of self-absorbed, backbiting, but stunningly talented individuals begin to succeed beyond his wildest dreams, until petty jealousies and recrimination threaten to scuttle the whole deal. A moody, vivid and soulful exploration of the Dublin club scene as well as a showcase for some wonderful unknown actors, the film (and its wonderful soundtrack) also features the actual band covering classic soul tunes from the likes of Otis Redding and Sam and Dave. It's that combination of soul and soul music that makes The Commitments a special little film. --Robert Lane, Amazon.com --This text refers to the VHS edition of this video
Editorial
Special Features
1.33 Full Screen
DVD 5
English
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital Surround English
Dolby Digital Surround
Interactive Menus
Scene Selection
Original Theatrical Trailer
Featurette
Music Video Treat Her Right
Samples From Original Soundtrack Album
None
Editorial
Synopsis
Alan Parker's THE COMMITMENTS, based on Roddy Doyle's buoyant debut novel, follows the enjoyable travails of a band cobbled together by young Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins), whose vision is to bring soul music to Dublin. After putting an ad in the local paper, Jimmy assembles an unlikely group of musicians who, though nervous, raw, and rough, make music that speaks to something very near the heart of their audience of curious kids and sharp-tongued, sarcastic relatives. As the band nears its big break, egos clash and expectations of fame and fortune start to tear them apart, forcing Jimmy to fight desperately to keep them together.
THE COMMITMENTS bubbles over with life, largely on the strength of the young, mostly unknown cast. Andrew Strong shines in the role of the lead singer exuding a volatile and irresistible charisma as he transforms rapidly from an unsure adolescent into an egotistical spotlight hogger. Colm Meaney contributes a hilarious cameo as Jimmy's father (a role that would expand in two later film adaptations of Doyle novels, THE SNAPPER and THE VAN). Pumped along by killer 1960s soul tunes and crackling throughout with quick-witted dialogue, THE COMMITMENTS is an effervescent, affecting tour through working-class Dublin.
Great music, not so good acting
Review date: 2007-07-25 Rating: 6 out of 10
I picked this up cheaply from the supermarket this week, having been keen to see it for some time. I liked the idea of the story, and the musical performances were excellent, but I thought the acting and script didn't come up to the same standard. In particular, I thought Robert Arkins as the lead character (Jimmy Rabbitte) gave a very wooden performance - it seemed at times as if he was reading his lines off a cue card. And I thought the dialogue, while funny in places, was so over-laced with swearing that its impact became ineffective, even on the level of poetry.
I know that most of the (hitherto unknown) cast were assembled on the basis of their musical skills first and any acting ability second, which is probably why so much screentime is devoted to the band playing. This pays off - their performances are terrifically authentic, and convey an excitement that makes joining a band look like a really good idea.
Similar Products
- The Commitments
- The Van [1996]
- The Blues Brothers
- The Blues Brothers [1980]
- The Snapper [1993] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Reviews
What a community!
Review date: 2006-07-02 Rating: 10 out of 10
The film shows a grim looking landscape of high-rise flats, dismal areas of waste and squalor, high unemployment and few prospects for young people - but growing out of this unpromising soil, the most vibrant, colourful, fun community imaginable. The sense of neighbourhood, shared experience and follow-feeling alone, could make you wish you were an North Dubliner yourself. And that's even before the music's added to the mix. It shows a community of lively, intelligent, witty kids and young adults who are finding ways to keep themselves entertained and entertain the rest of the town - with the long-term aim of also making a good living and getting famous. It's fun while it lasts. The humour should keep you laughing and grinning between classic soul numbers, where you may feel constrained to adopt a more serious attitude and sing along. The group swing up through the learning curve pretty quickly, starting off out of tune and out of time and ending up belting out the numbers like pros. Just wonderful. I was surprised to learn the boy who plays Deco (Andrew Strong) was only 16 when this film was made. What an incredible voice! (Since then Joss Stone has also shown that young lungs and larynx can produce amazing sounds, but it's still a surprise.) In any case, the whole thing: the story, the music and the acting are just superb. The only faces I recognised were Colm Meaney (playing Jimmy Rabbitte senior) and Sean Hughes (playing Dave of "Eejit Records"), because most of the actors were found by auditioning locals. What a talented bunch of locals! Excellent film - the sort you'll want to watch again and again.
THE Commitments
Review date: 2006-04-09 Rating: 10 out of 10
This film is one of the classics in the music business of films, gripping funny and you cant stop singing along, if you love the album then youll really love the film, buy it you wont be sorry.
The Irish Blues Brothers?
Review date: 2004-03-04 Rating: 8 out of 10
When this film first came out, a friend urged me to see it and described it as the Irish equivalent of the Blues Brothers. Lets just think about that for a moment and compare the two: There are no car chases in The Commitments, gritty realism instead of surrealism, lots of very bad language, and no endless parade of big stars in cameo roles(just a brief appearance from Sean Hughes) . In spite of all that, I still think its a good way to sum up the film because the essential ingredients are there - humour, likeable characters and above all, good earthy music.
The film is a pleasure to watch and the band are a pleasure to listen to. Andrew Strong is an absolute revelation and I still can't believe that someone so young can have such a mature and soulful voice. The music is 100% soul/R&B classics performed in a straightforward and extremely competent way with a couple of the songs comparing very favourably to the originals.
The adaptation from Roddy Doyle's novel is accurate without being slavish, and captures the spirit of the book perfectly. The other two books in the 'Barrytown Trilogy' have also been turned into films but never had the impact of this one. (The Van and The Snapper) The actual screenplay is well-enough written that it will bear repeated viewings: even if you put the film on again just for the music, you are not tempted to skip through the dialogue.
The Commitments may not be on a mission from God, but they can give the Blues Brothers a run for their money any day!
all for glen
Review date: 2004-02-24 Rating: 10 out of 10
the commitments captures the true essence of north dublin; the factories, housing estates, drug problems, musical ambition... but one stand out figure in this film who everyone else has over looked... irish cult hero, the lead singer of the best irish band in history (The Frames) and all round gentleman; the eclectic and wonderful mr.Glen Hansard. he plays the ginger lead guitarist. someone mentioned that some characters have went on to great things, but you forget glen. if none of you have heard the frames, which is appears you havnt, shame on you. they may not have had the publicity of front pae coverage of the corrs, but searh for them and i promise you wont regret it. the frames represent the message at the core of the commitments, charm, colour, honesty and good music.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Andrew Strong
Angeline Hall
Maria Doyle
Robert Arkins
Michael Aherne
Creators:
Andrew Strong (Primary Contributor)
Robert Arkins (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
EAN: 5039036003032
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Full Screen, PAL,
Release date: 2003-07-28
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 113 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1991
Language: English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired)
Language: English (Original Language)