SPECIAL ST PATRICK'S DAY FEATURE
Directed by Alan Parker
118 minutes
Certificate 15
Starring Robert Arkins, Michael Aherne and Angeline Ball

 Jimmy Rabbitte firmly believes that ’Our Irish brothers wouldn't still be shooting at each other if they had soul’. In fact, so disgusted is he with the bands he’s heard playing in Ireland, he decides to bring soul to the people himself by putting together and then managing the world's greatest band, albeit with only one sort of music in mind: soul music. Holding auditions at his parents' house Jimmy somehow manages to assemble a fantastic soul band in the tradition of Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett. Then this group of self-absorbed, backbiting but stunningly talented individuals actually begin to succeed beyond their wildest dreams. But it’s not long before petty jealousies and recriminations threaten to scuttle the whole deal. So keeping the band together turns out to be just as big a problem for Jimmy as it was putting it together in the first place...

This film is an irresistible comic drama, alive and overflowing with passion and good music and it’s as funny, fresh and relevant as it was 20 years ago when it was made. The characters are just great, the music is wonderful, and it's absolutely hilarious - Wilson Pickett would have been proud! It was written by Roddy Doyle and casting for the film took place in Dublin, so the actors are real Dubliners who were all unknown when the film was made. Andrew Strong, who unbelievably was only sixteen when he took the part of Declan "Deco" Cuffe, the Commitment’s lead singer, has a voice to die for and Andrea Corr went on afterwards to form ‘The Corrs’, and the rest, as they say is history. The characters are gutsy, funny and true to life. Whether you're into soul music or not, it makes no difference, this special little film is a lively, poignant lesson about fighting to achieve your dreams and it has a feel good vibe that will have you humming the songs and smiling all the way home.

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