Review: Dancing at Lughnasa
Starring: Meryl Streep as Kate, Kathy Burke as Maggie, Brid
Brennan as Agnes Sophie Thompson as Rose, Catherine
McCormack as Christina, Darrell Johnston as Michael,
Rhys Ifans as Gerry Evans, Michael Gambon as Jack Mundy
Directed by: Pat O'Connor
Review by: Joy Wyse, The SILVER Screen critic
This is definitely an ensemble film. Because of it, Meryl Streep is miscast. Her fame calls for her character to be bigger and stronger than the others, but it's not and it shouldn't be.
This is a lovely story of the Mundy family, a group of sisters and their brother, as told through the eyes of the boy, Michael.
The sisters live simple lives with average jobs such as teaching and factory work. They live together in their parental home. None of them are married although Michael is the result of an affair by Christina. Rose is attracted to a married man.
Their brother Jack, a Catholic priest, has come back home from Africa as a missionary after suffering a breakdown. Shortly thereafter the boy's father, Gerry Evans, comes back into their lives.
The movie is based on the Broadway play. Although it garnered many Tony nominations, I doubt that it will attract any Academy Award votes. It's a nice story told in a delightful way. There is nothing objectionable portrayed although some people may take offense at the actions of some of the characters.
Lughnasa is not a location, but rather a festival to Lugh, the harvest deity, the God of Music and Light. Knowing this helps explain some of the actions.
Because the movie is fairly slow moving with little plot, I give it a C.
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