Influenced: John Carney, Peter Cattaneo, Guy Ritchie, Ken Loach, Mark Herman
There were two working-class English directors called Alan that came to prominence in the 1970s and 80s, Alan Clarke – whose films I love, especially Scum (1979), The Firm (1988) and Elephant (1989), but I couldn't justify adding any to this list – and Alan Parker. One of the genres that Parker specialised in was musicals, from Bugsy Malone (1976) and Fame (1980) to Evita (1996), but unquestionably his greatest achievement was The Commitments. Based on the 1987 novel of the same name by Roddy Doyle, the film is set in the Irish capital of Dublin and follows the formation and rise of a soul band in a working-class neighbourhood in the Northside of the city. Doyle adapted his novel for the big screen and co-wrote the screenplay with Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais.
It's an absolutely joyous film that captures the energy and excitement of the music scene in the late 80s and 90s. The story revolves around Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins), a young music enthusiast who decides to form a soul band, inspired by his love for the music of Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and other R&B legends. Jimmy auditions and assembles a group of talented, yet inexperienced, musicians and singers from his Barrytown neighbourhood. The film used a largely unknown cast, many of whom were local musicians rather than professional actors, to achieve a sense of authenticity in the portrayal of the band members. Jimmy names the band The Commitments and becomes their manager. All the musical performances in the film were recorded live on set, rather than using pre-recorded tracks, lending an authentic and raw quality to the music scenes.
In a memorable montage scene, Jimmy auditions and recruits members for The Commitments, including lead singer Deco Cuffe (Andrew Strong), trumpet player Joey "The Lips" Fagan (Johnny Murphy), guitarist Outspan Foster (Glen Hansard) and various local musicians. It was clever of Parker to cast local musicians who can act, like Strong, whose powerful and soulful voice is a standout element of the film. On backup vocals are a trio of local belles, including the desirable Imelda Quirke (Angeline Ball), while the film also features cameo roles from Colm Meaney as Jimmy's Elvis-obsessed father and members of local bands The Corrs and The Frames. We follow the rise and fall of The Commitments as they rehearse, struggle with personal issues and ultimately gain recognition and popularity within the local music scene. However, as the band garner more attention and start to experience success, tensions rise among them. Personal conflicts, romantic entanglements and disagreements threaten to tear the group apart.
The film also delves into the socio-economic issues faced by the characters and paints a vivid picture of life in the Northside of Dublin during the late 1980s, especially for those "on the dole" (unemployed). The film ends with a reunion gig, where some of the original members of The Commitments come together for one last performance. While The Commitments was critically acclaimed and a moderate commercial success at the time of release, the film's reputation has grown immeasurably since. In terms of legacy, the film's soundtrack, featuring classic soul and R&B songs performed by the cast, introduced a new generation to the genre and contributed to a resurgence of interest in soul music. The film was also a landmark in Irish cinema, paving the way for the growth of the Irish film industry and inspiring future filmmakers. The Commitments was also adapted into a successful stage musical, which enjoyed runs in the West End and on Broadway, helping to grow the audience of the original film further.
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