Customer Reviews

Hear My Song [VHS]

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

UPDATE: The PAL/Region 2 "Hear My Song" has been released in the UK, so look at my comment on this review, and UNFORTUNATELY it is a rehash of the US version, omitting the original opening scene. I was so Brassed Off that I sent it back!! And why does Amazon persist in listing the cast in order of appearance? The first 8 cast members listed AREN'T IN THE US VERSION!! AmazonUK has the cast listed correctly!!

Hear My Song's plot has features loosely based on the true career of the Irish singer, tenor Josef Locke. Jo Locke was Irish, but is not the diddly diddly Irish Rovers/Suffering Gaels type. His career filled music halls and ornate Victorian pubs and seaside resorts, and as one of Mickey O'Neill's staff says "There won't be a dry seat in the house." There are still websites devoted to the man and his music. This is a well-crafted movie, with great photography, and a lush soundtrack filled with Jo Locke ballads(sung by Vernon Midgely) and more traditional tunes by the band "Patrick Street". Ned Beatty gives a nicely subdued performance, his lipsynching of Locke's(Midgely) music is well done, and unlike most American actors, his "Irish" accent comes across well. Adrian Dunbar is a gem as impresario Mickey O'Neill, Tara Fitzgerald is very fetching as Nancy, Mickey's love interest, and one of my favorites, James Nesbitt, is Mickey O'Neill's oldest friend, Fintan. Normally, I'd love to see Tara Fitzgerald naked, but the one scene here is out of place. That is one of two bones I'll pick with Hear My Song. The other is that in the credits, roles are listed for "Young Mickey", "Young Fintan", and "Mickey's Mum". These roles never crossed the Atlantic, because there are no scenes with these characters. HEAR MY SONG was listed in early '06 as due to be released on DVD in November '06....What is up with that, when any crap Fox TV series or P Hilton merde comes out on DVD but a GREAT flick like this is unavailable. And why does Amazon list the leading characters as Brian Flanagan, Constance Cowley, et al? (Since I originally posted this review, I went to Britain & picked up a copy of Hear My Song in PAL format on EbayUK. The omitted part deals with Mickey, Mickey's Mum, & Mickey's problems with love. A tiny piece that probably cost more to delete than to keep in, but the new DVD release from the UK also omits the original opening scene. MERDE!!!) More's the pity, because whenever Hear My Song ends, I wish it were just a wee bit longer, like a pint of Guinness that's a few drams short. I can hardly wait for it to be released on DVD here in the colonies, if for no other reason than both of my VHS copies are rather tired.

...I haven't seen what you've seen...' So begins the oft-given speech by one Micky O'Neill (Adrian Dunbar) - not too bad a bloke, but a little short on sincerity, and having a very difficult time making his way in the world without occasionally scamming nearly everyone with whom he comes into contact. Micky is a theatre manager - and he's hanging on by his fingernails to a seedy-but-polished venue in an Irish neighborhood in a large UK city (Liverpool, I'm guessing). He has had one too many performer bail on him at the last minute, and the Ryans - the family of elderly women who own the building - are losing patience with him. To make matters worse, he has a VERY hard time saying the words 'I love you' to his gorgeous sweetheart, Nancy Doyle (portrayed by the stunning Tara Fitzgerald). Threatened with eviction by the Ryans - who aren't buying anymore of his BS - he books one Josef Locke, an Irish tenor who '...when he sings, women weep'. Locke is, unfortunately, a fugitive from Her Majesty's Tax Inspectors - he fled the UK in a bit of a hurry some 25 years previously, after having a fling with the newly-crowned Miss Dairy Goodness, who, to make matters worse (if that's possible) for Micky, just happens to be Nancy's mum. Deeper into misfortune sinks Micky - the Josef Locke he books turns out to be a fake. Not only does he break Kathleen's heart all over again, he's found out by the general populace. A near riot ensues, with people demanding their money back - and the Ryans evict Micky from the building. So far he's lost all of his money, his business, many of his friends and the girl he loves. If this is starting to sound like the things that a wonderful Irish comedy (albeit partially set in the UK) is made of, you're right.

Micky hies back to Ireland, hooking up with old pal - and theatrical agent in better standing than himself - Fintan O'Donnell, wonderfully portrayed by James Nesbitt (check out another great performance by this fellow as 'Pig' Finn in WAKING NED DIVINE). The two buddies travel off in search of the REAL Josef Locke (played excellently by Ned Beatty [and NO, he doesn't sing his own parts...]) - Micky is sure that if he can find him and tell him his story, he can convince him to come back to the UK and play the gig for him. It's the only way he can think of to right all of the wrongs he has committed, and to win back the heart of the girl he loves.

There are schtick Irish gags a-plenty in this film - but thanks to the fine acting by all concerned, and the gently funny script (by director Chelsom and actor Dunbar), it comes off very nicely indeed. It's not Shakespeare, but it'll make you laugh out loud, and feel good at the end to boot. Yeah - it's a little corny in places, but that's more than OK. I'd recommend this for the whole family, but there's a brief scene of nudity (just a few seconds, but probably not for the kiddies) - I'll say save this one for the adults who enjoy Irish humor. Too bad it's not available on DVD.

This is a movie that we rent when we have people staying with us and we want a nice little comedy without the cussing you always find in American-made movies (when my mom's visiting, for example!). There's a scene with a cow which I won't give away, but I will say that I laugh until I'm gasping for breath each time I watch it!

I was on a flight back from the US to Australia and had been up at 5 AM in Texas, flown to LA then out from LA at Midnight. Hence I was a tad tired. After a very generous scotch and dinner I settled back to sleep. But this darned film was on. I kept glimpsing at it ( without my headphones) and thought "That looks very good." I got home and told my wife I saw but didn't hear this film "Hear my Song" and we have to go see it. Alas couldn't find it as it had not been released In Oz as yet. When it was I and many of my friends went and saw it. I think it encapsulates why comedy from the UK leave US comedy for dead. It is real, it is funny, and I can reccommend this film to anyone who wants to feel good. It fits in with my 2 other great feel good films , "Local Hero" and "Waking Ned Devine."
All the characters are great and Mickey is a loveable rogue, his mate Fintan a true mate. And thank god they saved the cow!
One request, Get it on DVD, please.

This is the best movie of all time!!!!!! Forget about Casablanca, Citizen Kane and even Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Watch if again and again and again and again and again!!!

Must be put on dvd!!! I am afraid our vhs tape will disintegrate!!!

This is one of my top-10 movies. I've seen it maybe 12 times, and the laughs are guaranteed every time. Offbeat in that inimitably Irish way! Why no DVD yet?

I had seen this film once and knew I had to have it. It has a charm and wit that goes with the Irish who dominate this picture. Ned Beatty is delightful, as is the rest of the cast. The end may strain one's credulity a little, but it's what we all wanted. Why Adrian Dunbar hasn't done more in pictures is a mystery to me. And, Tara Fitzgerald is fey throughout the movie.

This sweet movie could melt a Heart of stone. I am compelled to add my own 5 stars to those who have spoken before me. As I'm writing this, I am "hearing" that song.... the little take off from the "Love me, Alfredo" theme from La Traviata.

It is a quirky, fun, romantic story. The locations of England and Ireland make for a magical tale. The acting and script are first rate, Ned Beatty is excellent. There are a couple of scenes and one liners, that are unforgetable.

What a gem! This is one of our very favorite movies. We're glad we own it, so we can either watch it whenever the mood strikes us or show it to friends. No one has ever heard of it, and it's always a wonderful surprise. The casting is terrific, as is the direction. Even the secondary characters are treasures. Fewer movies will make you smile as often and laugh uproariously at a few particular scenes -- the livestock auction, the well, and the dentistry, to name a few. An absolute must-have -- it's too hard to find in rental stores.