Customer Reviews

The McCourts of New York [VHS]

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The McCourts of New York is a great companion piece to Frank McCourt's memiors, Angela's Ashes and 'Tis, and to Conor McCourt's earlier film, The McCourts of Limerick. Its glimpses of the lives of the four McCourt brothers are funny and touching. The film gives not only a look at the rollicking past of the brothers McCourt but a personal look at what their family tragedies mean to them now. If you loved reading Angela's Ashes as much as I did, you'll want to see this wonderfully human documentary.

Anything from Frank McCourt is bound to be a delight, of course, but this film of his and Malachy, Michael, and Alphie's journey from poverty-stricken, poorly educated and poorly-equipped young immigrants to men who found some success and happiness in the world of the United States is a remarkable story. Conor McCourt, son of Malachy, treats the subject matter with tenderness and respect, while the broad and sometimes ironic humor of his father and uncles, especially Uncle Frank, laces the stories with a lightness. Somehow, where the McCourts go, humor always follows. In spite of the challenge of New York, the frustration of being poor, Frank's desire for education (he talks his way into college, even though he has never gone to high school) and Malachy and Michael's battles with the bottle, this is a down-to-earth rags-to-riches story that is at times hilarious, often poetically poignant, and occasionally, heroic. At the end of the film, they finally find the burial place of their long-dead sister, and give respect to her and their late mother in a scene that had tears running down my cheeks. And there is Frank, weeping, and yet injecting humor ("I'm not going to be buried, I'm going to be stuffed and mounted," and one of the brothers says, "Shaking hands." All laugh.) Conor McCourt has given us a look into the lives of his uncles in particular and of immigrants in general, and it is a look that left this viewer feeling richer for having seen it.

This was an good film. I saw it after the McCourts of Limerick and it answers a lot of my questions. We get to follow the brothers as they each come to America. I liked the part of Frank's first days in NYC, Malachy's bars, smuggling gold and acting, the reading of Angela's diary, Alphie and his learning impaired daughter, and the brothers visit to the grave of the long dead sister. It is a heartfelt and touching effort by Conor, Frank's nephew and Malachy's son.

I just saw the dvd today and I enjoyed it very much. It's a great addition on Frank and Malachy's books. Do not expect it to be some sort of movie, because it simply is not. The four brothers tell you all about their 'adventures' in New York, about Frank being a teacher, Malachy working in several bars, being an actor, his career as a gold smuggler etc.
I really enjoyed the part where Frank and Malachy did a part about their past on stage. They showed some tape. I wish they could bring that out on dvd. I bet that it will be great for a good laugh. Malachy is real funny.
I also enjoyed Mike's story. Though he was pretty serious (of course), I think you can have a great laugh with him too. And Alphie, he did tell his story, but I wish he told more.
Maybe it's because he is not mentioned very much in the books. Well maybe he will tell his own story in a book someday?

Last, hopefully they will put the McCourts in Limerick on DVD, so that I can watch it too.

Documentary filmmaker Conor McCourt's "The McCourts of New York" is a warm, tender visual ode to his father Malachy, and his uncles Frank, Michael and Alphie. It is replete with tales both bittersweet and humorous - often both - of the brothers McCourt's survival in New York City during the 1950s and 1960s. As such, it will be seen by some as an affecting tribute to one immigrant family's hard-won success here in the United States (Though those who are documentary film purists may find some aspects of the film's production worthy of criticism, and thus, in their eyes, rendering it as a visual document that's less compelling than, for example, any of Ric and Ken Burns' films or those from the likes of Liz Garbus and Michael Moore.). Included in this delightful cinematic valentine are some clips from the original production of "A Couple of Blaguards" performed by Frank and Malachy at the Village Gate (Written around the time I was a student in Frank's class, the original version of this two-man play was held at a performing venue associated with noted New York City folk musician Gil Robbins, whose son, Tim, is among our high school's most famous acting alumni.). Without quesiton, this DVD will be a desirable acquisition sought by McCourties - diehard fans of Frank's and Malachy's prose - and one that will be a most essential part of their collections.

If you've found yourself caught up in the whole McCourt heritage like I have, you will definately want to add this to your collection. The film is touching and entertaining, and is a hidden gem for people that have read Angela's Ashes and A Monk Swimming. Give it a shot. You won't be disappointed.

If you love the movie "Angela's Ashes" as much as I do, please buy this companion piece. Anyone with immigrant ancestors or who comes from a family where a father was absent due to drinking and a mother had to struggle to keep going for her children can appreciate the poignancy and introspection offered. There is a hauntingly beautiful song at the end of the documentary that speaks volumes about what life was like for Angela and it is a song that unfortunately still rings true today for thousands of mothers around the world and here at home. I am not even Irish (I'm Italian) but it is something to be appreciated by all.

After visiting Limerick, Ireland and taking a literary walk about the book by Frank McCourt, Angela's Ashes, in January, I wanted to learn more about this amazing family. This picks up with their life here in the US. This documentary with the family themselves telling the story is very real and emotional. I did watch the movie version of Angela's Ashes and then watched this documentary and it really answered questions that the movie left unanswered for me. One of the reasons I have gotten so interested in these people is because the literary tour I took in Limerick was conducted by a childhood friend of Frank McCourt and lived through the story as well. I would recomend this documentary and Angel's Ashes to anyone that is interested in how a family can overcome the most difficult of times just by being strong and sticking to what they believe in.

It was great learning more about the McCourt Brothers. I loved hearing them recount parts of their lives.

This documentary was interesting to me because I saw it right after reading both of Frank McCourt's books: Angela's Ashes and Tis. So, I was interested to see what the documentary offered. Since then, I read Malachy's book.

What this documentary offers is a brief summary of what happened to Frank and his three brothers after they had all arrived in the United States as young adults from Ireland. Frank's story I knew, but nonetheless he's always interesting to hear, not just read about. His brothers, which look similar to me with their pudginess and white hair, all have some interesting tales to tell. The Irish make good storytellers, that's for sure.

Near the end of this 70-minute program is a very dramatic scene when the brothers get together to find the grave site of their sister who had died shortly after birth. Frank shows he's the most sensitive one in the family.

All in all, if you are fan of the brothers' work, this a nice documentary of a very interesting family. I would watch it more than once, just on its own merit.