Customer Reviews

Rory O'Shea Was Here

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I had been waiting to see this movie for six months, and thanks to the kindness of strangers, a showing was arranged on campus. After months of reading reviews and contenting myself with watching the trailer and assorted clips, I finally had the chance to become acquainted with Rory O'Shea.

"Rory O'Shea Was Here" centers on the lives of two young men trapped in Carrigmore, a Dublin care home "for special people." Lifelong resident Michael Connelly has cerebral palsy, which leaves him with tremors, limited manual dexterity (he is a wheelchair user), and a severe speech impairment. Abandoned by his famous barrister father, quiet, shy Michael is intelligent, but is frustrated by his lack of ability to communicate. He is reduced to pointing at letters on a chart, since his speech comes out as a series of grunts and moans. He has resigned himself to a dull existence at Carrigmore, forced to watch children's cartoons with the other patients.

All of this changes with the arrival of Rory O'Shea, a twenty-year-old punk in a motorized wheelchair, completely paralyzed except for two fingers by advanced Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Rory bursts into placid Carrigmore like an angry whirlwind, all leather, spiked hair, and a nose ring, offering a scathing nonstop commentary. He quickly angers supervisor Eileen (Brenda Fricker, My Left Foot) by blasting Slipknot in the middle of the night, and seeks an accomplice to gel his hair once the nurses are banned to do so.

Quiet, rule-abiding Michael resents the loud, obnoxious Rory, until he discovers that Rory can understand his laboured speech and act as his interpreter. Michael becomes Rory's partner in crime as the two sneak off on a pub crawl during a collection, cementing an unlikely friendship and giving Michael a taste of the world outside. Michael is inspired to apply for an independent living grant so that the two can have their own flat and carer (Rory has been turned down three times for his irresponsibility), on the condition that Rory comes with him to serve as interpreter.

The rest of the film centers on their adjustments to living on their own, and the daily trials and tribulations the two face. They hire Siobhan, a beautiful young woman that they met at a club, as their live-in carer. At first, the threesome share in good times, feasting on delicacies and going for walks in the park, but the two men soon fall for Siobhan, Michael openly and Rory secretly. We are witness to Michael's painful humiliation and Rory's broken heart, hidden by venomous comments and a tough exterior. The growing tension threatens to rip the fabric of their new life apart, but it takes a crisis to show them the meaning of friendship.

Rory and Michael teach us important lessons through the tears and smiles: to accept without pitying, to live every day to its fullest, to not be afraid to take chances. The film walks a delicate line between humor and drama, with plenty of searing one-liners from Rory and more serious reflections on abandonment, fear, and loneliness. By the end of the film, there is no doubt that "Rory O'Shea Was Here."

("Rory O'Shea Was Here" will be released on DVD on June 14, containing trailers, outtakes, and an alternate ending. The film is rated R and contains several sexually suggestive scenes and a good deal of profanity.)

This movie was so much better than I expected. It is a beautifully told story from every aspect---writing, directing and very especially acting. I rented this because James McAvoy is brilliant in The Last King of Scotland. Well, he's brilliant here too! This guy is the real deal. Like Daniel Craig before him, McAvoy just needs a huge juicy part to become an international superstar. For the moment I'm thrilled just with his acting. Oh, and he looks damn good too. Even in a wheelchair. Bravo to one and all.

Character Rory O'Shea is a work of art, clever, mischievous and very funny.

a true individual, and a hero on wheels..but a nightmare for the uptight,rigid institutional staff. Letting them know his true opinion of them with his actions more than his words. The scenes between Rory and staff are hysterical !

The compassion this young guy has for fellow lock-up Michael is very touching, although Rory does use Michael to his own advantage,it's definitely a great bond between them.

Performances of James McAvoy and Steven Robertson is masterful. Played so thoughtfully and naturally.

A glimmer in Steven's eyes binds him well to the character he portrays so powerfully.

Lastly the story itself is a great one. It proves that anyone with any kind of limitations should still be allowed all liberties. Amen.

I really, really enjoyed this movie! It includes a great cast, terrific acting, and wonderful storyline about two young, wheelchair-bound men, coping with their disabilities and trying to live life as "normal" people do. It's a universal and emotionally provoking film--a story about love and friendship. It's funny, engaging, and thoroughly entertaining. By the end of the movie, I was sad to see the credits roll; I ended up caring about the two main characters! If you're looking for a nice comedy-drama, then I highly recommend watching this film.

Note: I wasn't familiar with James McAvoy's work, (he plays Rory O'Shea), but remembered seeing him in the widely acclaimed WWII epic television drama, "Band of Brothers." What a talented young actor! Scottish, too!! Never would have guessed, because he has such a great American accent. Looking forward to seeing more of his films.

A new way of life all on their own becomes an exciting reality for Michael, a shy guy in a wheelchair with a speech impediment, and the equally impaired yet loud and clear Rory, as both their independent living grants are finally approved. Rory's gift of understanding became instrumental in Michael's freedom from the confines of institutional living. Michael's tactful application and a suitable apartment they both convinced his now successful father to pay for, allows them to explore the meaning of independence, establishing a friendship between two very different personalities.

A beautiful young woman, named Siobhan (Romola Garai) agrees to work for them as their independent aide, helping them get settled and caring for them with remarkable devotion. They first met when she rescued them from a fight earlier in the movie during the two guys' escape to a local pub, spending the collection money they've just raised that afternoon on drinks with two other women they've met as Rory's wicked idea of showing Michael a good time. Rory's bad manners, intermittent use of profanity, risky behavior, and suggestive sarcasm contrasts sharply with Michael's modest, shy, and law-abiding demeanor. Yet the two find strength and inspiration in each other as their emotional bond with Siobhan deepens with gratitude and admiration.

The three characters complete each other, giving each a sense of higher purpose and meaningful relationship with one another. The three of them share great times together, shopping, going out to the park, listening to music, reading, sharing laughs until the love and tension between them grows to unbearable parameters. Brilliant movie!

"Rory O'Shea Was Here" is one of my favorite movies because of the sheer fact that even though I saw it two years ago, I still think of it frequently - it is a film that is so haunting and powerful that it STICKS with you. The characters are so loveable and relatable, as well as realistically flawed, and the relationships between them are so powerful, that there is no way you can ever forget them. Superb acting, and witty and passionate writing set this film apart from all the rest.

Grade: A

I was having trouble sleeping one night and saw this movie on the TV and read the info. It looked really interesting. I was right. This movie was so wonderful. It is about being strong and that even those who are less fortunate then others can find great happiness in life. And that those who seem like they have many in fact have not. I truely hope more see this film.

I have written 3 reviews of this movie and deleted them all becuase I couldn't get them to sound right. Bottom line is you will like this movie if you like a little dark humor. Also If anyone knows what song was playing in the club seen please wite it on here. Thanks!!!!

Rory O'Shea comes into the Carrigmore home for the disabled spike haired and foul mouthed. While his first words are a little crude, I was immediately charmed and couldn't help but laugh and be entertained! He has Muscular Dystrophy and enough personality and spirit for 10 men.

Michael Connolly is already a permanent fixture in the home. Having Cerebral Palsy absolutely no one can understand him when he talks. The home tries to have him point to letters on a card, but that just frustrates everyone because it is so time consuming. Michael continues to try to talk to people and when Rory hears and understands him, Michael's relief and excitement are palpable. And so starts the friendship.

Rory is a free spirit and longs to be 'normal' his biggest dream is to pass the Independent living application, but when he is rejected again due to his reckless behavior all seems lost. Luckily Michael is as smart as he is loving and he comes to the rescue, gaining independent living for the two of them. Free from the home and living on their own, they employ the beautiful and inexperienced Siobhan as their PA.

This is probably the most emotional movie I have ever seen, it touches on about every feeling a human can have. I have never been in a wheelchair or handicapped in any way (knock on wood) so it is impossible to say I could relate to this movie, but I definitely could sympathize and feel their frustrations. I can't imagine what it would be like to have the mind but not the body to do everything you want. These actors were so good I really thought that they were handicapped. I thought they got real people with Cerebral Palsy and Muscular Dystrophy to play the roles.

This is both a heartwarming and heartbreaking story. They go through so much together and as two very opposite men they learn a lot, too. I laughed as much as I cried and this was at least a one box of tissue movie. This was a great story and a great movie with fantastic actors.

Two disabled men find that working together will bring them both closer to the life they wanted and at the same time did not know they could accomplish.