Intermission

  Plot Summary

Dublin petty criminal, Lehiff, (Colin Farrell), is hoping to pull off a big job that will give him the funds to get a place of his own. He comes up with a plan to hold the girlfriend of a bank manager hostage while the bank manager goes to get cash from the bank. Lehiff recruits a couple of misguided and incompetent accomplices to help him. Meanwhile, Detective Jerry Lynch, (Colm Meaney) is on a crusade to rid Dublin streets of "criminal scum". He is keeping an eye on Lehiff and would dearly love to see him behind bars...

Review

This Irish comedy/drama has an ambitious storyline as there are many strands to the story that must be followed, developed and concluded. There are also a lot of characters in the film. In spite of the difficulties of juggling the many different subplots and characters the film works well and the characters and subplots blend quite comfortably together.

There is a quirky dark humour running through the film that will probably appeal most to the Irish and in particular Dubliners. Some parts are very funny and there is a certain novelty in recognizing Dublin mannerism and phrases, even though some of the humour relies on a tirade of profanity. Colin Farrell might have added a few four-letter-words whether they were in the script or not! A lot of the comedy comes from the crazy character, Detective Jerry Lynch, played by Colm Meaney. The Detective sees himself as an Irish version of "Dirty Harry" who loves chasing down the thugs on the streets of Dublin!

Colin Farrell is excellent playing the part of the Dublin criminal but Colm Meaney steals the show with a funny over-the-top performance as Detective Jerry Lynch who takes himself far too seriously and who will stop at nothing to see Lehiff locked up

There is good support from Cillian Murphy who plays John, the inarticulate ex-boyfriend, who told his girlfriend that he wanted to break-up; just to "test" her!?

Bottom Line: Very funny in parts and manages to keep the many subplots moving along.  

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2003

Genre: Comedy/Drama

Certificate: 15's

Director: John Crowley

~ Main Cast ~

Colin Farrell

Colm Meaney

Kelly Macdonald

Shirley Henderson

Cillian Murphy

Ger Ryan

Brian F. O'Byrne

Michael McElhatton

RATING

WORTH A WATCH