Cheap The Commitments (DVD) (Robert Arkins, Michael Aherne, Angeline Ball) (Alan Parker) Price

Related Products

Customer Reviews of The Commitments

A movie about fantastic soul music made by "The Commitments
The movie "The Commitments" is very interesting and authentic because it shows the hard reality of life in Northside Dublin. That means that you get a special impression of the working-class in Dublin, their life philosophy and their culture. A part of this impression is made up by the original setting, that includes market places, the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport), dirty tenements and houses to dimly-lit rehearsal rooms and local clubs. This dreary and sometimes depressive atmosphere is emphasized by the film techniques, the lighting as well as the camera movements. The actors are also very well-chosen because they are unknown and quite genuine; because of this fact they can represent the people of the working-class very realistically (just listen to the way they talk!). Jimmy is perfectly played by Robert Arkins, who emerges as a distinct personality as the manager of the band. I like him best because he plays his main role better than the others. And the best aspect of the film is the great music, which is an honour to the history of soul music and provides the heartbeat of the film. Finally, I would say that everybody should watch the movie, if only because of the great music!

---

I'm sorry you doubted me, brother Rabbitte ...
One of my all-time favorite films. If you love blues/R&B/soul, you'll find plenty to like in this film, even if you don't listen to anything else except the music. Andrew Strong is great as the "bollix-for-brains" lead singer of the Commitments, and was only 16 (!) when the film was made (shades of Johnny Lang!). But don't overlook some great performances by the female vocalists as well; "Natalie" (Maria Doyle) does a fantastic job with "I Never Loved a Man (the Way that I Love You)" and "Imelda" (Angeline Ball) really shows her stuff on "Chain of Fools"). The film also features great background classics by performers such as Delbert McClinton ("I've Got Dreams to Remember").

Yes, it's Irish, and you do have to listen closely in a few spots to understand the dialogue, but it's definitely worth the effort. The film is down-to-earth without being gritty or depressing, and accurately portrays the trials and tribulations of a band in the making. The music is superb, the dialogue is honest, funny and just wacko enough to be believable, and the plot (such as it is) doesn't really matter -- there's enough going on with the characters to keep things moving for the duration.

Recommended -- and when it comes out on DVD -- highly recommended.

---

The Soul of the City
Alan Parker once again put together a previously unknown cast and has produced a fantastic movie with some stellar individual performances.

"The Commitments" is the story of the struggle to escape unemployment and poverty, set in Dublin but equally relevant in any major city this movie chronicles the efforts of a new band to achieve fame and glory. The band choose soul music as their vehicle out of the ghetto at a time when James Brown is just a memory adding spice to an already engaging tale. After a faltering start the band start to pull it together only for their lack of discipline and focus to abort their chances at the very moment when real opportunity is at their door.

The music is the star of the show with fantastic numbers such as "At the Midnight Hour", "Mustang Sally" and "Try a Little Tenderness" littered through the movie. The musical performances of Mary Doyle Kennedy (Natalie)and Andrew Strong (Deco)and the acting of Robert Arkins (Jimmy) are really superb.

This movie is enhanced by this new format on widescreen DVD, but what makes it work is the screenplay, great acting and wonderfull music regardless of format.