Rory O'Shea Was Here DVD Review:

Considering the difficulty of the subject, it is a miracle that Rory O’Shea Was Here does not spend more time in melodramatic turmoil. With the two main characters in wheelchairs and unable to use their limbs efficiently if at all, this could have easily been a strong drama, but instead it decides to bounce back and forth from humor and drama, much in the way life actually is.

Michael is perfectly content in the institution which he has lived since his father abandoned him. He is quiet and reserved, unable to be understood because of the strong speech impediment which slurs all of his words. When Rory O’Shea arrives things begin to change for Michael. Rory is a rebel who looks to break rules constantly, but Michael gravitates towards him when he finds Rory is able to understand what he is saying. Rory has been denied for assisted living for years because of his rebellious nature, but when Michael applies he is approved immediately. The two of them move out together and hire an attractive grocery store worker, Siobhan, who they met in a bar to be their live-in aid. Freedom suits them well until Michael begins to develop feelings for Siobhan, causing a great deal of problems.

The greatness of Rory O’Shea Was Here comes in its ability to understate the elements of the story. It is a story about freedom, but the advances that the characters make are seemingly small and often difficult. There is no huge triumph of the spirit at the end of the film, but rather a quiet realization. This simplicity is what makes the film remarkably honest.

There are fantastic performances all around in this cast. From the two leading men all the way down the line, this film was excellently cast with very able actors. This helped by the dialogue, which must take into consideration that the audience will not be able to understand what Michael is saying in the same way that Rory can. One of the traps that films with translation fall into is that they feel every word must be translated, but this is not the problem with Rory O’Shea. Often times there is dialogue which is left un-translated, or merely responded to in a way that allows the audience to realize for themselves what is being said.

The DVD has a wonderful menu, rather fitting for the film in its simplicity. The video and audio also looks great, and the film is picture perfect in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. Although the bonus features are somewhat lacking with only deleted and extended scenes, the alternate ending is worth watching. This film comes from the producers of Bridget Jones’s Diary and Billy Elliot and it has the fun of those two with a bit more maturity in the material as well.



Ryan Izay