Tara Road (2005)

Ria (Olivia Williams) appears to have the perfect life. She is married to a successful man, has two children, and a fabulous house on the exclusive “Tara Road” in Dublin. Her world suddenly comes crashing down around her when her husband breaks the news that he's leaving her to go and live with his mistress. 

Meanwhile, American mother Marilyn Vine (Andie MacDowell) has just lost her son in a tragic accident and finds herself unable to come to terms with the loss. She feels she can’t talk to her husband and needs some time to herself. By chance, Marilyn comes across a business card of an acquaintance she met several years ago in Dublin. She rings the number and gets through to Ria. Marilyn tells Ria that she would like to do a house swap with somebody in Dublin and Ria, seeing this as a perfect opportunity to change her life and to help her get through her difficult time, offers to swap houses with Marilyn...

Based on Maeve Binchy’s popular book, this film translates well to the screen in spite of the complex characters. It is beautifully filmed both in the Dublin suburbs of Rathgar/Rathmines, where “Tara Road” is set and in New England. 

This bittersweet story is often very sad, particularly so when Marilyn (played by Andie McDowell) is grieving over the loss of her son who died in a motorbike accident. On the other hand sometimes you will be laughing loudly, particularly at Ruby Wax who plays Marilyn’s friend Carlotta and who is hilarious throughout the film. A nice balance between drama and humour is found.

I felt however that the movie seemed to be catering towards an American audience more than an Irish one. When there was mention of a Leprechaun I had to cringe as did most of the audience in the cinema!

The complexities of the characters are well portrayed by the strong cast who manage to keep the characters real and interesting. Olivia Williams and Andie MacDowell do a good job of portraying the upset and sorrow experienced by these women when their worlds are turned upside down.

Stephen Rea plays Colm, Ria’s gardener/handyman and he plays the part of sympathetic listener, to Marilyn, very convincingly.

Lasting Thought: You never know what life is going to bring next, and there are always people who have worse problems than you.

Bottom Line: Beautifully shot entertaining film with a good cast.

Reviewed by Sharon Swift, Premier Movie Reviews 2005.

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SARAH BOLGER:  In America

Genre: Drama

Director: Gillies MacKinnon

Certificate: Tara Road was rated 12A by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie) i.e. suitable for those of 12 years of age or upwards. Persons under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Violence = mild. Drugs = none. Sex/Nudity = mild. Language = mild.

~ Main Cast ~

Andie MacDowell

Olivia Williams

Stephen Rea

Brenda Fricker

Iain Glen

Ruby Wax

Sarah Bolger