Barrytown (franchise)

Last updated

Barrytown
Created by Roddy Doyle
Original work The Commitments (1987)
Owners Beacon Pictures
20th Century Fox
Deadly Films
BBC Film
Years1987–present
Print publications
Novel(s)
Spin-off
Short stories
  • Two Pints (2012)
  • Two More Pints (2014)
Films and television
Film(s)
Television series Screen Two (1993)
Theatrical presentations
Play(s) The Snapper (2018–present)
Musical(s) The Commitments (2013–present)
Audio
Soundtrack(s)
Official website
TheCommitments.co.uk

Barrytown is an Irish comedy-drama media franchise centred on the Rabbittes, a working-class family from the fictional suburb of Barrytown, in Dublin. It began in 1988 when Beacon Pictures and 20th Century Fox bought the rights to the 1987 novel The Commitments by Roddy Doyle shortly after it was published. The book was successful, as was Alan Parker's 1991 film adaptation, which achieved cult status [1] and is regarded as one of the best Irish films ever made. [2] [3] In 1999, the British Film Institute ranked the film at number 38 on its list of the "100 best British films of the century", based on votes from 1,000 leading figures of the film industry. [2]

Contents

A sequel novel, The Snapper, was published in 1990, followed by a film adaptation in 1993. A third novel, The Van, was published and shortlisted for the 1991 Booker Prize, [4] followed by a film adaptation in 1996. Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha , a spin-off published in 1993 by Secker and Warburg, won the Booker Prize for that year, with an epilogue novel, The Guts, published in 2013. A musical and stage play based on the first two installments of the series have also been produced, ongoing from 2013 and 2018.

Novels

The Commitments (1988)

Following the 1988 publication of Roddy Doyle's novel The Commitments (1987) in the United Kingdom, [5] producers Lynda Myles and Roger Randall-Cutler acquired the film rights, and asked Doyle to write an adaptation. [6] [7] [8] Doyle, an inexperienced screenwriter, spent one year drafting the script, [6] accompanied by Myles and Randall-Cutler. [9] Although a script was completed, Myles felt it needed improvement, and passed the book on to Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, [9] hoping that they would suggest a more experienced writer. [6] Upon reading the novel, Clement and La Frenais agreed to help write the script themselves. [9]

The Snapper (1990)

The Snapper revolves around unmarried twenty-year-old Sharon Rabbitte's pregnancy, and the unexpected effects this has on her conservative, working class Dublin family. [10]

The Van (1991)

The Van focuses on the elder Jimmy Rabbitte and his efforts at going into business with his best friend Bimbo, after both lose their jobs. It was shortlisted for the Booker Prize (1991). [11]

Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha (1993)

Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha is a novel written by Roddy Doyle. [12] It is a spin-off following one year in the life of a Dublin ten-year-old, Patrick "Paddy" Clarke, as he explores Barrytown through his parents' divorce, encountering various characters from the Barrytown series of novels. [13]

The Guts (2013)

Set thirty years later, The Guts follows the younger Jimmy Rabbitte as he is suffering from bowel cancer. The novel was named Novel of the Year at the 2013 Irish Book Awards. [14] [15]

Short stories

Throughout the early 2010s, Doyle frequently posted short comic dialogues on his Facebook page between two older men in a Barrytown pub, often relating to current events in Ireland (such as the 2015 marriage referendum [16] ) and further afield. These developed into the novella short story collection Two Pints in 2012 and Two More Pints in 2014. [17]

Rabitte family members

Films

FilmU.S. release dateDirector(s)Screenwriter(s)Story byProducer(s)
The Commitments August 6, 1991 Alan Parker Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais, & Roddy Doyle Roddy DoyleRoger Randall-Cutler Lynda Myles
The Snapper April 4, 1993 Stephen Frears Roddy DoyleIan Hopkins
The Van May 11, 1996 Mark Shivas

The Commitments (1991)

Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins), a self-proclaimed promoter, decides to organise an R&B group to fill the musical void in his hometown of Dublin, Ireland. The band comes together but ends up consisting entirely of white musicians who have little experience with the genre. Even though their raw talent and lofty aspirations gain the group notoriety, the pitfalls of fame began to tear at their newfound friendships as they prepare for their big show. The film also stars Angeline Ball, Maria Doyle, Bronagh Gallagher, Glen Hansard, Andrew Strong, Colm Meaney, and Andrea Corr.

Many of the actors involved in The Commitments went on to pursue various acting and musical careers. [18] Robert Arkins signed a record deal with MCA Records in 1993, [19] although he did not finish recording the consequent album. [20] He has produced work for a number of commercial clients, television projects, and composed music for two short films. [18] Andrew Strong went on to produce several albums, which he described as having elements of R&B and rock. He has performed alongside The Rolling Stones, Elton John and Ray Charles, and formed his own band, The Bone Yard Boys, in 2003. [21] In 1993, two of the film's cast members, Kenneth McCluskey and Dick Massey, formed their own tribute act band, The Stars from the Commitments. The 9-piece band has since played more than 1,000 shows worldwide, and has played with B.B. King, James Brown and Wilson Pickett. [18] [22]

The Commitments underperformed at the North American box office, grossing $14.9 million during its theatrical run. Reviewers praised the music, performances and humour, while criticism was occasionally aimed at the pacing and Parker's direction. The film resulted in two soundtrack albums released by MCA Records; the first reached #8 on the Billboard 200 album chart and achieved triple-platinum status, while the second album achieved gold sales status. At the 1992 British Academy Film Awards, the film won four of six BAFTA Awards for Best Film, Best Direction, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Editing. It also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Film Editing.

The Snapper (1993)

Doyle was given creative freedom by the BBC over the adaptation of The Snapper, for which he wrote the screenplay. [23] Lynda Myles returned to produce the film and hired Stephen Frears as its director. [24] Colm Meaney also returned. The adaptation was originally planned as a television film, as an episode of the British television anthology drama series Screen Two , before Frears suggested that it be transferred to film. [25] Doyle disagreed with the change, saying that he never liked to be made for the big screen, which he thought was grainy. [24] The Snapper (1993) premiered at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation. [24] It was a critical success, receiving largely positive reviews. [26]

The sequel again features the Rabbitte family, but due to rights problems, the family surname in The Snapper was changed from 'Rabbitte' to 'Curley'. The film centres on Sharon Curley, the eldest daughter of the family, and her experience of unplanned teen pregnancy. The film also stars Brendan Gleeson, Pat Laffan, Ronan Wilmot, and Stanley Townsend.

The Van (1996)

For the film adaptation of The Van, Doyle and Myles formed their own production company, Deadly Films, and the author was given creative control over the selection of its cast and director. [27] Frears returned as director, and Meaney was cast in the lead role. Although The Van (1996) premiered at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival to some favorable reviews, critical reaction was negative upon release; reviewers criticised the film for its thin material and lack of strong characterisation. [28]

The film deals with themes of unemployment and self-worth, as Brendan "Bimbo" Reeves (Donal O'Kelly) and Larry (Colm Meaney) cope with losing their jobs and embark on a partnership to sell fried food from the eponymous van. The film also stars Ger Ryan, Rúaidhrí Conroy, Brendan O'Carroll, Stuart Dunne, Marie Mullen, and Jon Kenny.

Mooted sequel

In January 2000, Harvey Weinstein acquired the film rights to The Commitments for Miramax [29] and commissioned playwright Warren Leight to write a direct sequel to the film, with Cathy Konrad attached as a producer. The premise involved several members of The Commitments pairing with new band members before going on tour in the United States. [30] The project subsequently entered development hell. [31]

Cast and crew

Principal cast

List indicators
  • A dark gray cell indicates the character was not featured in the film.
  • A P indicates an appearance through a photographic still.
  • An Lindicates an appearance through the use of an actor or actress's facial likeness.
  • A V indicates a performance through voice-over work.
  • A C indicates a cameo appearance.
Characters The Commitments The Snapper The Van
199119931996
Mr. Rabbitte Colm Meaney [a]
Missis TwixSheila Flitton
Barrytown Nightclub BouncerSeán O'Donovan
Mrs. RabbitteAnne Kent Ruth McCabe [b] Caroline Rothwell [b]
Roddy the Reporter Phelim Drew Roddy Doyle C
Jimmy Rabbitte Robert Arkins Rúaidhrí Conroy [c]
Maggie the Pawnbroker Ger Ryan Ger Ryan
Greg the Arsenal SupporterMichael O'ReillyMichael O'Reilly
Sonny RabbittePeter Rowen
Craig RabbitteEanna MacLiam
Bernie's Mother Rynagh O'Grady
Sharon Rabbitte Andrea Corr Tina Kellegher Neilí Conroy [d]
Darren RabbitteGerard CassoniColm O'Byrne
Tracy RabbitteRuth FaircloughDeirdre O'Brien [e]
Linda RabbitteLindsay FaircloughDierdre O'Brien [e]
Cancer PolicemanJack Lynch
Paddy the Bald ManRonan Wilmot
Des Health Inspector Anaesthetist Stanley Townsend
Jackie O'KeefeFionnuala Murphy
Sam Bertie Stuart Dunne
Dawn Barbara Bergin
Baby CurleyAisling Conlan and Alannagh McMullen
Brendan "Bimbo" Reeves Donal O'Kelly
Steven CliffordMichael Aherne
Imelda Quirke Angeline Ball
Natalie Murphy Maria Doyle
Mickah WallaceDave Finnegan
Bernie McGloughlin Bronagh Gallagher
Dean FayFélim Gormley
Outspan Foster Glen Hansard
Billy MooneyDick Massey
Joey "The Lips" FaganJohnny Murphy
Derek ScullyKenneth McCluskey
Deco Cuffe Andrew Strong
DuffyLiam Carney
Father MolloyMark O'Regan
Dave from Eejit Records Sean Hughes
RayPhilip Bredin
Imelda's SisterAoife Lawless
Kid with Harmonica Lance Daly
Protest Song SingerConor Malone
Heavy Metal SingerJezz Bell
Fiddler AuditionerColm Mac Con Iomaire
Punk Girl Singer Emily Dawson
Coconuts Trio Dave Kane
Kristel Harris
Maria Place
Uileann Pipe PlayerBrian MacAodha
Les Miserables SingerTricia Smith
Smiths' Song SingerCanice William
Cajun TrioPatrick Foy
Alan Murray
Jody Campbell
Rabbittes' NeighbourPhilomena Kavanagh
Only De Lonely SingerEamon O'Connor
Joey's MotherMaura O'Malley
Pool Hall ManagerBlaise Smith
Duffy's SidekicksDerek Herbert
Owen O'Gorman
Unemployment OfficialPat Leavy
Kid with HorseJohn Cronin
Community Centre KidMichael Bolger
Imelda's FatherMick Nolan
Imelda's Mother Eileen Reid
Regency Pub BarmanBob Navan
PhotographerDerek Duggan
Rock Salmon ManPaddy O'Connor
Avant-Garde-A-Clue Band / Eejit EngineerPaul Bushnell
Avant-Garde-A-Clue Band Jim Corr
Larry Hogan
Bernard Keelan
Dance Hall Manager Ronan Hardiman
Music JournalistMikel Murfi
Deco's FanJosylen Lyons
Man in LimousineWinston Dennis
Eejit Record Producer Alan Parker
James Brown James Brown A
Extra Caroline Corr
Fiddle Player Sharon Corr
PhotographerAlan Howley
Wedding GuestMark Leahy
Auditioning GuitaristRalph G. Morse
Young PriestMartin O'Malley
Lisa RabbitteJoanne Gerrard
Kimberley RabbitteCiara Duffy
Yvonne BurgessKaren Woodley
George Burgess Pat Laffan
Doris BurgessVirginia Cole
Pat BurgessDenis Menton
Lester Brendan Gleeson
Boy #1Dylan Tighe
Girl #1Caroline Boyle
Checkout WomanJennifer Kelly
Customer, Neighbour #3Audrey Corr
Desk Nurse Cathy Belton
DoctorMiriam Kelly
Dr. CookEleanor Methven
Loner Birdie Sweeney
MidwifeBillie Morton
Woman in HospitalJoan Sheehy
Oul'One Cathleen Delaney
NurseAilish Connolly
Supermarket Trainee Manager Stephen Kennedy
Woman in Police StationBritta Smith
Barrytown NeighboursConor Evans
Helen Roche
Marie Conmee
Jimmy Keogh
Pal #1 Tom Murphy
Pal #2Robbie Doolin
Young Lad / DadMatthew Devereux
FamineSandy
DianeNeilí Conroy
Weslie Brendan O'Carroll
Maggie's MumLaurie Morton
Vera Marie Mullen
Gerry McCarthy Jon Kenny
GlennMoses Rowen
JessicaLinda McGovern
WayneEoin Chaney
Wally Frank O'Sullivan
MonaJill Doyle
Anne Marie Charlotte Bradley
Mechanic Alan King
Pregnant WomanBernie Downes
Garda SergeantMartin Dunne
Nightclub BarmanTommy O'Neill
Bingo WomanEilish Moore
Pitch & Putt Man Paul Raynor
Crushed Girl Eileen Walsh
Complaining WomanSandra Bagnall
Boy with Choc IceDavid Kelly
Crying BoyLee Bagnall
Other KidJamie Bagnall
Barry David Byrne
World PeaceGavin Keilty
Leo the BarmanClaude Clancy
GirlMichelle Gallagher
Nightclub BouncerArthur Napper
KerrieJessie O'Gorman
Country Club Lunch GuestPhil Parlapiano
  1. Nicknamed Jimmy, Dessie, and Larry.
  2. 1 2 Nicknamed Kay and Mary.
  3. Nicknamed Kevin.
  4. Nicknamed Diane.
  5. 1 2 As Mary.

The surname of the Rabbitte family was changed to the maiden name of Curley for the film adaptations of The Snapper and The Van, as 20th Century Fox owns the rights to the Rabbitte name from The Commitments , who were not involved in the adaptations of subsequent works in the trilogy.

Additional crew

Role The Commitments The Snapper The Van
199119931996
Composer G. Marq Roswell Stanley Myers Eric Clapton
Richard Hartley
Editor Gerry Hambling Mick Audsley
Cinematographer Gale Tattersall Oliver Stapleton
Production companies Beacon Pictures
The First Film Company
Dirty Hands Productions
BBC Beacon Pictures
Deadly Films
BBC Films
Distributor 20th Century Fox Miramax 20th Century Fox

Reception

Box office performance

FilmNorth American
release date
BudgetBox office grossBox office rankingReference
North AmericaOther territoriesWorldwideAll-time
North America
All-time
worldwide
The CommitmentsAugust 6, 1991$12–15 million$14,919,570£8,285,701$26,679,175.40#37#40 [32]
The VanNovember 29, 1996$712,095$712,095#155#156 [33]
Total$12–15 million$14,919,570$8,997,796$2,668,629,635

Critical and public response

Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
The Commitments89% (44 reviews) [34] 73 (23 critics) [35]
The Snapper97% (33 reviews) [36] 83 (18 critics) [37]
The Van38% (21 reviews) [38]

Accolades

AwardCategoryFilm
The CommitmentsThe Snapper
Academy Award Film Editing Nominated
Golden Globe Award Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy Nominated
BAFTA Award Best Film Won
Best Direction Won
Best Adapted Screenplay Won
Best Editing Won
Best Supporting Actor Nominated
Best Sound Nominated
AFI Award Best Foreign Film Nominated
Brit Award Best SoundtrackWon
Evening Standard British Film Award Peter Sellers Award for ComedyWon
London Film Critics Circle Award British Producer of the YearWon
British Director of the YearWon
British or Irish Screenwriter of the YearWon
Writers Guild of America Award Best Adapted Screenplay Nominated
Tokyo International Film Festival Tokyo Grand Prix AwardNominated
Best Director AwardWon
Goya Award Best European Film Won
Golden Globe Award Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Nominated

Legacy

An image of four of the actors of the original film, in character, was featured on an Irish postage stamp as part of the Ireland 1996: Irish Cinema Centenary series issued by An Post; the image includes lead singer Deco Cuffe (Andrew Strong), along with the three "Commitmentettes" – Imelda Quirke (Angeline Ball), Natalie Murphy (Maria Doyle Kennedy) and Bernie McGloughlin (Bronagh Gallagher). [39]

Music

Soundtracks

TitleU.S. release dateLengthComposer(s)Label
The Commitments (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) August 13, 199146:16Paul Bushnell, Kevin Killen, and Alan Parker MCA
The Commitments, Vol. 2: Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack March 17, 199235:53Paul Bushnell and Kevin Killen

Musical

Doyle's novel The Commitments and its 1991 film adaptation inspired a 2013 musical stage production, directed by British theatre director Jamie Lloyd. [40] [41] Following the film's success, Doyle had previously turned down offers to adapt his novel into a stage production. [42] [43] The Commitments began previews on 21 September 2013 in London's West End at the Palace Theatre, before its official opening night on 8 October. [44] The show had more than 1,000 performances before officially closing in London on 1 November 2015. The United Kingdom and Ireland tour commenced in 2017. [45]

Stage play

In 2018, the Gate Theatre commissioned Doyle to write a stage adaptation of The Snapper. [46] The show was directed by Róisín McBrinn and was revived in 2019. [47]

References

  1. "Are these the best cult Irish films ever?". TheJournal.ie . 30 May 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  2. 1 2 "Best 100 British films". BBC News . 23 September 1999. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  3. "Top Ten Irish Movies of all Time" . Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  4. "The Van on Man Booker Prize". The Man Booker Prize. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  5. "Looking back at THE COMMITMENTS: 25 Years Later with author/co-screenwriter Roddy Doyle". Lower East Side Tenement Museum. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 Gritten, David (11 August 1991). "MOVIES: Irish Soul: How Alan Parker drew upon the working-class kids of Dublin to power his movie 'The Commitments', about a fictional Irish band". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 18 November 2010.
  7. Pettitt, Lance (1992). Screening Ireland: Film and Television Representation. Manchester University Press. p. 35. ISBN   978-0-7190-5270-5.
  8. Parker, Alan. "The Commitments – The Making of the Film". Alan Parker.com. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 "This Distracted Globe — Film reviews and commentary tonight, before I forget tomorrow". This Distracted Globe. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
  10. "The Snapper". Publishers Weekly . Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  11. "The Booker Prize 1991". thebookerprizes.com. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  12. Imlah, Mick (12 June 1993). "BOOK REVIEW / A boy's own adventure: 'Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha' - Roddy Doyle: Secker, 14.95 pounds". The Independent .
  13. Jordison, Sam (14 August 2009). "Guardian book club: Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha by Roddy Doyle". The Guardian .
  14. "Roddy Doyle wins Novel of the Year". RTÉ News. 27 November 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
  15. Knox, Kirsty Blake (27 November 2013). "Inside story: Roddy Doyle's got the Guts for awards glory". Irish Independent . Retrieved 27 November 2013.
  16. Martin Doyle, "Roddy Doyle adds his Two Pints worth to marriage equality Yes vote campaign", The Irish Times, 1 May 2015.
  17. Tait, Theo (3 August 2013). "Still singing the old songs". The Guardian Review. London. p. 5.
  18. 1 2 3 Kendall, Paul (29 September 2013). "Whatever happened to The Commitments?". The Telegraph . Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  19. "Artist Profile: Robert Arkins". My Music Source. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  20. Martin, Paul (26 November 2001). "Soul searching 10 years on". The Mirror .
  21. Dougherty, Tara (October–November 2009). "Andrew Strong: Life After The Commitments". Irish America. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  22. "The Stars From The Commitments featuring Kenneth McCluskey and Dick Massey" . Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  23. White, Caramine (2001). Reading Roddy Doyle. Syracuse University Press. p. 34. ISBN   978-0-8156-2887-3.
  24. 1 2 3 White 2001 , p. 35
  25. BBC – Radio Times – Screen Two: The Snapper
  26. "The Snapper (1993)". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  27. White 2001 , pp. 35–36
  28. White 2001 , p. 36
  29. "AFI Catalog". American Film Institute . Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  30. Fleming, Michael (3 January 2000). "'Commitments' encore gets Leight touch". Variety . Variety Media, LLC. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  31. Flowers, Phoebe (9 December 2007). "Gone Hollywood (yes, that one and the other one)". SunSentinel . Archived from the original on 25 August 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  32. "The Commitments (1991)". Box Office Mojo . IMDb. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  33. "The Van (1997)". Box Office Mojo . IMDb. Archived from the original on 3 November 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  34. "The Commitments (1991)". Rotten Tomatoes . Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  35. "The Commitments Reviews". Metacritic . Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  36. "The Snapper (1993)". Rotten Tomatoes . Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  37. "The Snapper Reviews". Metacritic . Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  38. "The Van (1996)". Rotten Tomatoes . Archived from the original on 3 December 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  39. "Ireland 1996: Irish Cinema Centenary". Emerald Isle Gifts, original stamps from An Post. 17 September 1996. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  40. Brown, Mark (23 April 2013). "Commitments West End". The Guardian. London.
  41. "The Commitments to be turned into musical by Roddy Doyle after novel and film success". Daily Mirror . 23 April 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  42. Brown, Mark (23 April 2013). "The Commitments to be turned into West End musical". The Guardian . Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  43. Cummins, Steve (24 April 2013). "Roddy Doyle on The Commitments musical". irishpost.co.uk. The Irish Post. Archived from the original on 3 September 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  44. Brown, Mark (4 July 2016). "Commitments West End". The Guardian. London.
  45. Hewis, Ben (21 May 2015). "The Commitments to close in November". WhatsOnStage.com. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  46. Meany, Helen (23 June 2018). "The Snapper review – Roddy Doyle's baby banter brought to vivid life". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  47. "The Snapper". Gate Theatre Dublin. Retrieved 2 January 2020.