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Dead Bodies

Plot Summary

Tommy is enjoying his freedom after his middle-class self-absorbed spoilt girlfriend, Jean, decides they need their own space. She moves out of his run-down flat but a week later Jean has moved back in. She prefers his indifference to her mother’s nagging!

Tommy doesn’t put up too much resistance initially to good-looking, familiar, Jean. Already frustrated by the rut that his life is in, it doesn’t take too long for Jean’s selfishness, demands and nagging to get on his nerves again. During an argument, he accidentally kills her and decides his best option is to bury the body. His friend, Noel, supports his decision and shortly after, he starts seeing Jean’s friend. Jean doesn’t stay away for long as her body is found and Tommy’s freedom is again threatened...

Review

This is a low-budget Irish comedy-drama with a taste of thriller set in Dublin. The storyline is captivating as it twists and turns unpredictably. The storyline incorporates the ideas and effects of deceit, lies and secrets as it twists its way along. It manages to hold the interest throughout and this is helped by some dark humour along the way. In parts the plot is, perhaps, conveniently unlikely but this doesn’t take away from the film.

It is very enjoyable to watch an interesting film containing familiar Dublin surroundings, Dublin accents, Irish faces and Irish concerns. There is a certain satisfaction in seeing a low budget Irish film “getting it right” and a good film set in your own city with native actors adds to the enjoyment and even the story. The achievement of this film should strengthen the argument for more funding for Irish films.

The characters aren’t always particularly likeable and the acting is solid rather than fantastic but the interactions between the characters are realistic.

Bottom Line: A low budget film that produces a captivating story with tension and a few laughs. For Dubliners the familiar surrounds of Dublin enhance the story.

Reviewed by Niamh Fox, Premier Movie Reviews 2003

Genre: Comic drama/thriller

Certificate: 15's

Director: Robert Quinn  

~ Main Cast ~

Andrew Scott

Kelly Reilly

Darren Healy

Sean McGinley

Gerard McSorley

RATING

4 STARS

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