Movie Reviews

Evelyn
directed by Bruce Beresford

About the Film
Ireland, 1953. When Desmond Doyle's wife leaves him, the Irish courts and Catholic Church decide that his three children be placed in Church-run orphanages. Desmond attempts to retrieve his children with the aid of a feisty barmaid he has befriended named Bernadette, and her solicitor brother, Michael .When the church and courts refuse to give the children back, a visiting Irish-born American lawyer, Nick Barron agrees to help with the case. He in turn drafts his old mentor Thomas Connolly, out of retirement and with the aid of Hugh Cannon, a popular radio broadcaster, the team take on what has never been done before - to challenge the constitutionality of a law before the Irish Supreme Court.

Release Date: November 2002

Sheila's Review
This Irish tale is based on a true story which my mom would probably love. She would be reaching for the hanky a lot throughout the film.

Pierce Brosnan is great as an Irish, out of work father whose wife runs off with another man and leaves him to take care of their three young children, Evelyn, Maurice and Dermot. Sophie Vavasseur was amazing as Evelyn. She is a very talented young actress who is very convincing in her role as the loving daughter. The kids are taken away from their father when the law and church find out that they do not have a mother in their lives and Doyle is faced with the challenge of fighting the church and government to get his children back.

Julianna Marguilles got a hang of the Irish accent for this part as the bartender who falls for Desmond Doyle (Brosnan). Aidan Quinn must not have been able to get the Irish accent down as he played the Irish lawyer who studied in the USA which explained his American accent to the audience.

A team builds to help Doyle challenge and change the law so he can be reunited with his family. A heart wrenching tale for the family to watch; especially for the women who like a tear jerker.

~Sheila, September 2002

Trixie's Review
Based on a true story, Evelyn is the embodiment of underdog-good-guy fights the big dogs and wins, capturing the support and the hearts of everyone around him. This isn't a film I would have normally gone to see, but that's what film festivals are for. I was impressed by Pierce Brosnan, who finally seemed to act in a film. His portrayal of a father that fights his country and the church to be with his children was touching. The cast was wonderful, and the acting understated enough to allow the emotions of the story to shine through.

If you're in to heartfelt dramas, this is one for you.

~Trixie, September 2002


A letter we received about Evelyn:

Hi Girl Posse

Thank you for the wonderful review of the movie 'Evelyn', however I must jump to Aiden's defence here. He can do the most authentic Irish accent, including taking his Guiness like an Irishman, however his character was an American in real life hence the accent.

The whole cast and crew were enormous fun to be with and we had a ball in Toronto.

The movie was based on my book due out in the new year in the States and already in the bestsellers here in the UK and Ireland. See you in Chicago.

Best Wishes
Evelyn Doyle

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