Product Details

• Actors: Albert Finney, Brenda Fricker, Michael Gambon, Tara Fitzgerald, Rufus Sewell
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Sony Pictures
• VHS Release Date: February 13, 1996
• Run Time: 98 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303586112
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #144,858 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars importance is subjective, June 16, 2001

By 

Peter Shelley "petershelley" (Sydney, New South Wales Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Man of No Importance [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This debut from Suri Krishnamma is quite wonderful. Set in Dublin in 1963, it opens with Eartha Kitt singing "Let's Do it" and Albert Finney reading Oscar Wilde, so we know something particular is in the wind. Finney is a bus conductor who is inspired to mount a production of Salome after meeting Tara Fitzgerald. The film shows the rehearsals in the local church hall, and slowly reveals Finney's closeted sexual preference, secretly in love with someone he calls his "Bosie". What is interesting is the Vertigo relationship that develops between Finney and Fitzgerald. As her director, he recreates her the way he wishes to see her, which can be a common dynamic between certain men and the women they are obsessed with, and the situation is all the more resonant since Fitzgerald is so touching. Time allows the audience to like Finney, since at first his accent and face are off-putting. It seems he is trying too hard, but by the time he is dressed as flamboyantly as Wilde, we are won over. Brenda Fricker plays Finney's sister and is funny, but Rufus Sewell as the bus driver is unfortunately Method-y. However Krishnamma wisely removes him for a time and when he returns, we have Finney's idiot grin of happiness as a payoff.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Warm and Enjoyable, if sad., February 21, 2002

By 

Emily McB (Vancouver, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Man of No Importance [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Opening like a charming and lightweight Irish comedy, A Man of No Importance eventually proves to be more of a pathos-laden drama. Along the way however, it never fails of be warm, with Albert Finney a joy as the kind yet internally tortured ticket collector Alfie, who is inspired to mount a production of Salome, by his idol Oscar Wilde. Throughout the film we are treated not only to Finney, but also loveley turns by Tara Fitzgerald as Alfie's idealised Princess Salome, and Rufus Sewell as the bus driver, dubbed "Bosie," the object of ALfie's unrequited affections. The story could deteriorate into a weepy drama, but it never does, and the conclusion, although sad, is somewhat life-affirming. A great way to spend an evening.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The importance of being true to yourself, February 25, 2007

By 

KerrLines ""Movies,Music,Theatre"" (Baltimore,MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Man of No Importance [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Alfie Byrne is loved by everyone.He is a simple bus conductor who has a passion for art-most importantly the plays of Oscar Wilde.He quotes Wilde,and produces Wilde's plays on an amateur level,yet unlike Wilde,Alfie has yet to reach the true knowledge of love for himself and his own sexuality.Through the works and life of Oscar Wilde,A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE is a cleverly constructed screenplay that allows Alfie Byrne,so admirably and convincingly portrayed by Albert Finney,to find true knowledge of himself and love in his life.
This film will be greatly enhanced by an acquaintance with Wilde's work and life in order to gain the maximum satisfaction and understanding.A viewing of the film WILDE will make A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE so much more enjoyable on all levels.
The songs LETS FALL IN LOVE and CAN'T GET USED TO LOSING YOU are used to great effect in this film.
All in all, this is an incredibly well written,well directed and beautiful tour-de-force of a film.