The Snapper (1993) (TV)

Director:

Stephen Frears

Writers:

Roddy Doyle (novel)
Roddy Doyle (screenplay)

Release Date:

3 December 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Set in Ireland, Sharon Curley is a 20 year old living with her parents and many brothers and sisters...

Plot Keywords:

Irish Catholic | Irish | Small Town | Father Daughter Relationship | Sequel

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 9 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Colm Meaney	...	Dessie Curley
Tina Kellegher	...	Sharon Curley
Ruth McCabe	...	Kay Curley
Eanna MacLiam	...	Craig Curley
Peter Rowen	...	Sonny Curley
Joanne Gerrard	...	Lisa Curley
Colm O'Byrne	...	Darren Curley
Ciara Duffy	...	Kimberley Curley
Fionnuala Murphy	...	Jackie O'Keefe
Dierdre O'Brien	...	Mary
Karen Woodley	...	Yvonne Burgess
Pat Laffan	...	George Burgess
Virginia Cole	...	Doris Burgess
Denis Menton	...	Pat Burgess
Brendan Gleeson	...	Lester

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

UK | Ireland

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Finland:K-14 | Germany:12 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Ardmore Studios - Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

This is the second story in Roddy Doyle's "Barrytown Trilogy", following the adventures of the Rabbitte family. However, as 20th century Fox owned the film rights to the Rabbitte name (from The Commitments), the characters had to be re-named in the subsequent film adaptations (The Snapper, The Van).

Quotes:

Dessie Curley: [to Kay, after finding nothing to watch on TV] I suppose a ride's out of the question?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Kicking and Screaming (1995)

Soundtrack:

Can't Help Falling In Love

Sweet and touching, and kinda nutty

"Sequel" to The Commitments in that it follows some of the same characters (as does The Van that follows it), The Snapper is just the cure you might need for Angela's Ashes -- a portrayal of an Irish family that is kooky enough to be interesting, not drowning in abject poverty, and deeply caring for one another. The Curleys are a tad eccentric -- younger brother obsessed with bicycling, a younger sister who paints her face with shaving foam and costumes herself to pretend she is a marching band leader, middle sibs pushing the envelope at every chance -- and eldest sister Sharon, suddenly pregnant and refusing to disclose the name of the father. (pardon the pun.) Ballykissangel fans will recognise this actress as Niahm, the Garda's wife. Colm Meaney gives a beautiful performance as Desi Curley, the dad by turn bewildered and outraged then growing in his acceptance and excitement in the impending appearance of Sharon's baby -- the eponymous little "snapper". Brendan Gleeson also appears as one of Desi's pub chums, with a deft portrayal of a shy and lonely man.

One of my favorite aspects of this film is its un-Hollywood-ness -- everyone looks real. There is no slick, too-pretty feel to this movie. The dialogue is quick, thick with dialect (so listen closely, get the sounds in your ear, or you might miss some fun exchanges!) and funny enough to be real and real enough to be moving. If there is a message to this story (and I think there is!) it might be, "If we love each other, it really will all be ok." I find it to be a touching and uplifting movie.