NEW YORK -- The beautiful splendor of Ireland contrasts well with the emotional tension rampant in Gillies Mackinnon's ''The Playboys.'' Co-written by Shane Connaughton (who wrote ''My Left Foot'') and Kerry Crabbe, this absorbing film boasts several outstanding performances as well as a richness in both story and character that is much too rare these days.
Though perhaps not as spiritually uplifting as was ''My Left Foot, '' ''The Playboys'' is at least as powerful in terms of drama and subtext. The presence of Albert Finney, Aidan Quinn and Robin Wright is sure to increase attendance, but it will predominantly be the art-house crowd that rushes to see this moving and gripping film.
The three leads are perfectly cast, but it is Finney's intense performance (and beautifully developed character) that stands out. Another Oscar nomination for this brilliant actor lurks in the wings.
Finney plays Sgt. Hegarty, a seemingly humorless, ominous policeman in a small Irish town. At the heart of his misery and every waking thought is the beautiful and willful Tara (Robin Wright). Tara has recently given birth to a Baby Boy and refuses to tell who the father is. She is labeled a tramp by the judgmental townsfolk, as if she gave a damn.
She, of course, wants nothing to do with Hegarty, in spite of his pathetic professions of love. In fact, it seems that Tara wants nothing further to do with men in general. They have brought her nothing but pain and hardship. When another local man, also smitten with Tara, kills himself, she is even blamed for that.
Everything changes, however, when a traveling troupe of actors comes to perform for the town. Handsome Tom (Aidan Quinn) is a roguish rascal who is almost as willful as Tara. After several awkward encounters, they fall in love, which ultimately leads to some tragic consequences involving Hegarty, the two lovers and the baby.
The heaviness of the situation is blissfully broken up by the entertaining troupe, known as ''The Playboys.'' Milo O'Shea is a pure delight as the beleaguered troupe master. His memorable turn as the maid in their rendition of ''Gone With the Wind'' and his ridiculously costumed ''Othello'' provide the much-needed laughter in this much-too-serious town.
Beautifully, and essentially, shot in Ireland, ''The Playboys'' has an almost mystical aura about it. As directed by Mackinnon, the film takes on a dream-like quality that actually enhances the reality at hand. As if caught in a dream, all we can do is watch helplessly as things start to unravel.
The embodiment of this film is found within Finney's brooding, haunting character. He is dark and weighted, but in his own way he is filled with tempestuous compassion. ''The Playboys'' is equally compassionate and memorable. Unlike a dream, its imagery becomes even clearer and more affecting as time goes on.
THE PLAYBOYS
The Samuel Goldwyn Co.
Director Gillies Mackinnon
Writers Shane Connaughton, Kerry Crabbe
Director of photography Jack Conroy
Editor Humphrey Dixon
Music Jean-Claude Petit
Producers William P. Cartlidge, Simon Perry
Color
Cast:
Hegarty Albert Finney
Tom Aidan Quinn
Tara Robin Wright
Freddie Milo O'Shea
Father Malone Alan Devlin
Brigid Niamh Cusack
Cassidy Ian McElhinney
Running time -- 108 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
Though perhaps not as spiritually uplifting as was ''My Left Foot, '' ''The Playboys'' is at least as powerful in terms of drama and subtext. The presence of Albert Finney, Aidan Quinn and Robin Wright is sure to increase attendance, but it will predominantly be the art-house crowd that rushes to see this moving and gripping film.
The three leads are perfectly cast, but it is Finney's intense performance (and beautifully developed character) that stands out. Another Oscar nomination for this brilliant actor lurks in the wings.
Finney plays Sgt. Hegarty, a seemingly humorless, ominous policeman in a small Irish town. At the heart of his misery and every waking thought is the beautiful and willful Tara (Robin Wright). Tara has recently given birth to a Baby Boy and refuses to tell who the father is. She is labeled a tramp by the judgmental townsfolk, as if she gave a damn.
She, of course, wants nothing to do with Hegarty, in spite of his pathetic professions of love. In fact, it seems that Tara wants nothing further to do with men in general. They have brought her nothing but pain and hardship. When another local man, also smitten with Tara, kills himself, she is even blamed for that.
Everything changes, however, when a traveling troupe of actors comes to perform for the town. Handsome Tom (Aidan Quinn) is a roguish rascal who is almost as willful as Tara. After several awkward encounters, they fall in love, which ultimately leads to some tragic consequences involving Hegarty, the two lovers and the baby.
The heaviness of the situation is blissfully broken up by the entertaining troupe, known as ''The Playboys.'' Milo O'Shea is a pure delight as the beleaguered troupe master. His memorable turn as the maid in their rendition of ''Gone With the Wind'' and his ridiculously costumed ''Othello'' provide the much-needed laughter in this much-too-serious town.
Beautifully, and essentially, shot in Ireland, ''The Playboys'' has an almost mystical aura about it. As directed by Mackinnon, the film takes on a dream-like quality that actually enhances the reality at hand. As if caught in a dream, all we can do is watch helplessly as things start to unravel.
The embodiment of this film is found within Finney's brooding, haunting character. He is dark and weighted, but in his own way he is filled with tempestuous compassion. ''The Playboys'' is equally compassionate and memorable. Unlike a dream, its imagery becomes even clearer and more affecting as time goes on.
THE PLAYBOYS
The Samuel Goldwyn Co.
Director Gillies Mackinnon
Writers Shane Connaughton, Kerry Crabbe
Director of photography Jack Conroy
Editor Humphrey Dixon
Music Jean-Claude Petit
Producers William P. Cartlidge, Simon Perry
Color
Cast:
Hegarty Albert Finney
Tom Aidan Quinn
Tara Robin Wright
Freddie Milo O'Shea
Father Malone Alan Devlin
Brigid Niamh Cusack
Cassidy Ian McElhinney
Running time -- 108 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
- 4/21/1992
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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