list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around The Commitments on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/The_Commitments/6818/default.aspx Title: The Commitments
Year: 1991
Director: Alan Parker
Plot: "The Irish are the blacks of Europe, Dubliners are the blacks of Ireland, and the North Siders are the blacks of Dublin ... so say it loud -- I'm black and I'm proud!" Or so Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins) tells his slightly puzzled friends as he tries to assemble a rhythm & blues show band in a working class community in Dublin in Alan Parker's film The Commitments. Jimmy is a would-be music business wheeler and dealer, and he's decided what Dublin needs is a top-shelf soul band. However, top-shelf soul musicians are hard to find in Dublin, so he has to make do with what he can find. However, after a long round of auditions, Jimmy makes two inspired discoveries: Deco (Andrew Strong), an abrasive and alcoholic streetcar conductor who nevertheless has a voice like the risen ghost of Otis Redding, and Joey "The Lips" Fagan (Johnny Murphy), a horn player who knows soul music backwards and forwards and claims to have played with everyone from Wilson Pickett to Elvis Presley. Before long, the band -- called the Commitments -- is packing them in at local clubs. But do they have what it takes to make the big time? Based on the novel by Roddy Doyle, who also co-wrote the screenplay, The Commitments is sparked by fine performances by its young cast and enthusiastic performances of a number of '60s soul classics; the cast, who play their own instruments, reassembled the band for a concert tour after the film became a hit. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 15
Number of Lists: 12
Number of blog posts: 3
Number of discussion threads: 4
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:15:02 GMTThe Commitments1991Alan Parker"The Irish are the blacks of Europe, Dubliners are the blacks of Ireland, and the North Siders are the blacks of Dublin ... so say it loud -- I'm black and I'm proud!" Or so Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins) tells his slightly puzzled friends as he tries to assemble a rhythm & blues show band in a working class community in Dublin in <a href="/players/P___105602/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Alan Parker</a>'s film The Commitments. Jimmy is a would-be music business wheeler and dealer, and he's decided what Dublin needs is a top-shelf soul band. However, top-shelf soul musicians are hard to find in Dublin, so he has to make do with what he can find. However, after a long round of auditions, Jimmy makes two inspired discoveries: Deco (Andrew Strong), an abrasive and alcoholic streetcar conductor who nevertheless has a voice like the risen ghost of Otis Redding, and Joey "The Lips" Fagan (Johnny Murphy), a horn player who knows soul music backwards and forwards and claims to have played with everyone from Wilson Pickett to <a href="/players/P___107032/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Elvis Presley</a>. Before long, the band -- called the Commitments -- is packing them in at local clubs. But do they have what it takes to make the big time? Based on the novel by Roddy Doyle, who also co-wrote the screenplay, The Commitments is sparked by fine performances by its young cast and enthusiastic performances of a number of '60s soul classics; the cast, who play their own instruments, reassembled the band for a concert tour after the film became a hit. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide15Tag Target (>10)12343http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t39482ofa17.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Commitments/6818/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/blogs/laurenbailey63/archive/2009/9/25/44028.aspx Post By: laurenbailey63
Post To: laurenbailey63 Blog
Post Date: 9/25/2009 8:19:22 PM
Body: the best film ever. it is so funny it is great english comedy not meny people can get the humer if you are from the us but all and all the film is great. the best ever .
]]>Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:19:22 GMTlaurenbailey63laurenbailey63 Blog9/25/2009 8:19:22 PMthe best film ever. it is so funny it is great english comedy not meny people can get the humer if you are from the us but all and all the film is great. the best ever . http://www.spout.com/groups/Viewing_with_a_purpose/Re_Latest_unknown_fave/288/39825/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: seely
Post To: Viewing with a purpose
Post Date: 1/23/2009 10:55:13 AM
Body: The Commitments I was reminded of this classic in another thread. Great cast of musicians, not actors, with a lot of funny scenes, some touching moments and a little bit of something for everyone. Smaller Irish film, released 1991. Actually caught it on cable recently for the first time--never seen it on TV before.
]]>Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:55:13 GMTseelyViewing with a purpose1/23/2009 10:55:13 AMThe Commitments I was reminded of this classic in another thread. Great cast of musicians, not actors, with a lot of funny scenes, some touching moments and a little bit of something for everyone. Smaller Irish film, released 1991. Actually caught it on cable recently for the first time--never seen it on TV before. http://www.spout.com/groups/Community_Recommendations/Re_Movies_Spout_Needs_to_Watch/643/39598/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: leeroy711
Post To: Community Recommendations
Post Date: 1/16/2009 1:46:15 PM
Body: [quote user="seely"] Am I allowed to make a suggestion? One I saw a year or two ago that really stuck with me as a very overlooked gem was The Committments. It was a minor release in 1991, from Ireland, and didn't get the attention it deserved. Its funny, dramatic, heartwarming, and meaningful. One of the all-around best films I've seen. I'd like to think Once drew a lot of its inspiration from this film. [quote user="csprague"] I've added most of your suggestions, minus the 70s horror. Keep 'em coming! I've got a blockbuster queue to keep full. [/quote] [/quote] Good call, I second that recommendation.
]]>Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:46:15 GMTleeroy711Community Recommendations1/16/2009 1:46:15 PM[quote user="seely"] Am I allowed to make a suggestion? One I saw a year or two ago that really stuck with me as a very overlooked gem was The Committments. It was a minor release in 1991, from Ireland, and didn't get the attention it deserved. Its funny, dramatic, heartwarming, and meaningful. One of the all-around best films I've seen. I'd like to think Once drew a lot of its inspiration from this film. [quote user="csprague"] I've added most of your suggestions, minus the 70s horror. Keep 'em coming! I've got a blockbuster queue to keep full. [/quote] [/quote] Good call, I second that recommendation. http://www.spout.com/groups/Community_Recommendations/Re_Movies_Spout_Needs_to_Watch/643/39593/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: seely
Post To: Community Recommendations
Post Date: 1/16/2009 12:34:41 PM
Body: Am I allowed to make a suggestion? One I saw a year or two ago that really stuck with me as a very overlooked gem was The Committments. It was a minor release in 1991, from Ireland, and didn't get the attention it deserved. Its funny, dramatic, heartwarming, and meaningful. One of the all-around best films I've seen. I'd like to think Once drew a lot of its inspiration from this film. [quote user="csprague"] I've added most of your suggestions, minus the 70s horror. Keep 'em coming! I've got a blockbuster queue to keep full. [/quote]
]]>Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:34:41 GMTseelyCommunity Recommendations1/16/2009 12:34:41 PMAm I allowed to make a suggestion? One I saw a year or two ago that really stuck with me as a very overlooked gem was The Committments. It was a minor release in 1991, from Ireland, and didn't get the attention it deserved. Its funny, dramatic, heartwarming, and meaningful. One of the all-around best films I've seen. I'd like to think Once drew a lot of its inspiration from this film. [quote user="csprague"] I've added most of your suggestions, minus the 70s horror. Keep 'em coming! I've got a blockbuster queue to keep full. [/quote] http://www.spout.com/blogs/seely/archive/2008/9/12/35061.aspx Post By: seely
Post To: seely
Post Date: 9/12/2008 12:13:16 PM
Body: I was skeptical about Once, after reading a very poorly written synopsis. I was even more skeptical after the first few minutes of the film proved to be shot in first person with a shaky camcorder, with awkward dialogue and Irish accents thicker than the wool sweaters the Irish love so much. However, I stuck with the film, and after about ten minutes found my ear adjusted to the dialogue, and fell in love with the voyeur-first-person-perspective on the quirky relationship between a vacuum-cleaner-repairman-street-musician and a czech-born-mother-pianist-flower-salesgirl. Hansard, plays an anonymous vacuum-repairman whom we meet playing his original songs on the street for change. His song seems of little siginifance initially, but as the story progresses, the viewer will find his songs (actually, all of the songs), sort of present a subtext to the film, revealing the character's true thoughts and feelings that they are unable to express. Musical haters need not fear--there are no show tunes, no choreographed dance sequences involving spinning parasols and impromptu chorus lines, and plenty of dialogue in between tunes. The music simply serves to fill in the gaps and the thoughts that the characters of Hansard and Marketa Irglova (Czech ex-pat flowergirl). The relationship and the inability to express their emotions will leave the viewer frustrated, but absolutely captivated. My viewing partner found herself screaming at the television "KISS ALREADY!" not even halfway through the film. I don't want to give too much away, but I will say that Once is a beautiful story about a plausible human male/female relationship, and not like most seen on the silver screen. *spoilers below* Ultimately, Irglova forgoes what she wants and pushes Hansard's character to follow his dreams--something I don't think he would have ever done without her pushing him and giving him the confidence he needed. I believe Irglova realized she couldn't quite live her dream, and she saw a chance to live it through Hansard, and she had a chance to help him succeed before it was too late--as she seemed to feel it was in her case. It is a story of a short, necessary relationship at a necessary time. Who can't relate to that? Anyone who enjoyed "Once" should also check out 1991's The Commitments. Another Irish film starring real Irish musicians who pursue their dreams.
]]>Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:13:16 GMTseelyseely9/12/2008 12:13:16 PMI was skeptical about Once, after reading a very poorly written synopsis. I was even more skeptical after the first few minutes of the film proved to be shot in first person with a shaky camcorder, with awkward dialogue and Irish accents thicker than the wool sweaters the Irish love so much. However, I stuck with the film, and after about ten minutes found my ear adjusted to the dialogue, and fell in love with the voyeur-first-person-perspective on the quirky relationship between a vacuum-cleaner-repairman-street-musician and a czech-born-mother-pianist-flower-salesgirl. Hansard, plays an anonymous vacuum-repairman whom we meet playing his original songs on the street for change. His song seems of little siginifance initially, but as the story progresses, the viewer will find his songs (actually, all of the songs), sort of present a subtext to the film, revealing the character's true thoughts and feelings that they are unable to express. Musical haters need not fear--there are no show tunes, no choreographed dance sequences involving spinning parasols and impromptu chorus lines, and plenty of dialogue in between tunes. The music simply serves to fill in the gaps and the thoughts that the characters of Hansard and Marketa Irglova (Czech ex-pat flowergirl). The relationship and the inability to express their emotions will leave the viewer frustrated, but absolutely captivated. My viewing partner found herself screaming at the television "KISS ALREADY!" not even halfway through the film. I don't want to give too much away, but I will say that Once is a beautiful story about a plausible human male/female relationship, and not like most seen on the silver screen. *spoilers below* Ultimately, Irglova forgoes what she wants and pushes Hansard's character to follow his dreams--something I don't think he would have ever done without her pushing him and giving him the confidence he needed. I believe Irglova realized she couldn't quite live her dream, and she saw a chance to live it through Hansard, and she had a chance to help him succeed before it was too late--as she seemed to feel it was in her case. It is a story of a short, necessary relationship at a necessary time. Who can't relate to that? Anyone who enjoyed "Once" should also check out 1991's The Commitments. Another Irish film starring real Irish musicians who pursue their dreams. http://www.spout.com/blogs/unclefestering/archive/2008/5/14/29198.aspx Post By: unclefestering
Post To: unclefestering Blog
Post Date: 5/14/2008 9:45:16 PM
Body: The Commitments bring together two of Alan Parker's favorite themes: music and class. Both elements are well servied by this funny and touching story of a man with an unlikely goal: to create the next U2. It doesn't matter that he doesn't know anybody in the music business. He gets a motley crew together and forms them into a great soul band. He wheels and deals, doing whatever he has to, in order to get his band on stage. The final concert scene is one of my favorite musical moments in the movies. Alan Parker may have first staked out his rock credentials with Fame and Pink Floyd: The Wall, but nine years later, he reaffirmed them solidly with this movie.
]]>Thu, 15 May 2008 01:45:16 GMTunclefesteringunclefestering Blog5/14/2008 9:45:16 PMThe Commitments bring together two of Alan Parker's favorite themes: music and class. Both elements are well servied by this funny and touching story of a man with an unlikely goal: to create the next U2. It doesn't matter that he doesn't know anybody in the music business. He gets a motley crew together and forms them into a great soul band. He wheels and deals, doing whatever he has to, in order to get his band on stage. The final concert scene is one of my favorite musical moments in the movies. Alan Parker may have first staked out his rock credentials with Fame and Pink Floyd: The Wall, but nine years later, he reaffirmed them solidly with this movie. http://www.spout.com/blogs/go-ape/archive/2007/10/7/20475.aspx Post By: Go-Ape
Post To: Go-Ape Blog
Post Date: 10/7/2007 6:44:51 PM
Body: This is a brilliant piece of Irish Cinema, based on the masterpiece novel by Roody Doyle and adapted perfectly by Alan Parker. It is such a shame that so few of the actors involved in this went on to do anything else. But that is the industries loss I suppose. The film has an outstanding soundtrack with some truely staggering vocals. I love the character of Deco because he is just such a total bastard but he is a great point of comedy within the film as the person everybody loves to hate. This is a laugh out loud film, and also maintains Doyle's original points about the unemployment in Dublin what with the arguement that "we're a fuckin' third world county". This is masterpiece of cinema, and well worth a view. I would say that this film is one of the top 50 films and possibly the best film (that I've seen) that's come out of Ireland.
]]>Sun, 07 Oct 2007 22:44:51 GMTGo-ApeGo-Ape Blog10/7/2007 6:44:51 PMThis is a brilliant piece of Irish Cinema, based on the masterpiece novel by Roody Doyle and adapted perfectly by Alan Parker. It is such a shame that so few of the actors involved in this went on to do anything else. But that is the industries loss I suppose. The film has an outstanding soundtrack with some truely staggering vocals. I love the character of Deco because he is just such a total bastard but he is a great point of comedy within the film as the person everybody loves to hate. This is a laugh out loud film, and also maintains Doyle&#39;s original points about the unemployment in Dublin what with the arguement that &quot;we&#39;re a fuckin&#39; third world county&quot;. This is masterpiece of cinema, and well worth a view. I would say that this film is one of the top 50 films and possibly the best film (that I&#39;ve seen) that&#39;s come out of Ireland. http://www.spout.com/groups/My_Two_Cents/Top_5_movie_soundtracks/387/12973/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: stuntman_James
Post To: My Two Cents
Post Date: 7/3/2007 4:58:04 PM
Body: Alright......here is a good place to start. What film soundtracks have just given you tremendous inspiritation. The is no limit or restrictions....... My top 5:1. Sixteen Candles/Pretty in Pink: The first emo bands in the 80's. I love those songs, and everyone of them seemed to fit in every single scene. I still have my cassettes.2. The Commitments: Both soundtracks were amazing. Mustang sally sung in a killer blues way by a bunch of irish kids......3: Pulp Fiction/Jackie Brown: Tarantino is amazing, super and awesome. I know, but the way he crafts his films around his choices of songs is amazing. I cant listen to " Stuck in the Middle with You without picturing Madsen cutting off that cops ear.4: Empire Strikes Back: I loved this soundtrack and own every version and copy of it. Dorky fact about me......When I was a kid, everytime I heard the 20th Century Fox fanfare, I thought Star Wars was on......i know.....DORK!!!!!!!5: Big Lebowski: I loved every song, and even had a friend of mine create a soundtrack with every song in the movie, with some of the dialogue thrown in.....know how hard it was to find Viva Las Vegas by ZZ Top!! Alright.....come up with some kick ass ones JAMES
]]>Tue, 03 Jul 2007 20:58:04 GMTstuntman_JamesMy Two Cents7/3/2007 4:58:04 PMAlright......here is a good place to start. What film soundtracks have just given you tremendous inspiritation. The is no limit or restrictions....... My top 5:1. Sixteen Candles/Pretty in Pink: The first emo bands in the 80's. I love those songs, and everyone of them seemed to fit in every single scene. I still have my cassettes.2. The Commitments: Both soundtracks were amazing. Mustang sally sung in a killer blues way by a bunch of irish kids......3: Pulp Fiction/Jackie Brown: Tarantino is amazing, super and awesome. I know, but the way he crafts his films around his choices of songs is amazing. I cant listen to " Stuck in the Middle with You without picturing Madsen cutting off that cops ear.4: Empire Strikes Back: I loved this soundtrack and own every version and copy of it. Dorky fact about me......When I was a kid, everytime I heard the 20th Century Fox fanfare, I thought Star Wars was on......i know.....DORK!!!!!!!5: Big Lebowski: I loved every song, and even had a friend of mine create a soundtrack with every song in the movie, with some of the dialogue thrown in.....know how hard it was to find Viva Las Vegas by ZZ Top!! Alright.....come up with some kick ass ones JAMES http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/friendship/MemberTagFilms.aspxfriendship
Number of films tagged: 6791

Number of people who tagged: 154

Number of times used: 980

]]>Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:42:20 GMT6791154980Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/music/MemberTagFilms.aspxmusic
Number of films tagged: 4341

Number of people who tagged: 144

Number of times used: 481

]]>Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:51:44 GMT4341144481Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/drama/MemberTagFilms.aspxdrama
Number of films tagged: 525

Number of people who tagged: 102

Number of times used: 624

]]>Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:39:10 GMT525102624Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/irish/MemberTagFilms.aspxirish
Number of films tagged: 25

Number of people who tagged: 27

Number of times used: 40

]]>Sat, 15 Aug 2009 03:09:31 GMT252740Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/ireland/MemberTagFilms.aspxireland
Number of films tagged: 407

Number of people who tagged: 26

Number of times used: 35

]]>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:40:17 GMT4072635Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/selfdiscovery/MemberTagFilms.aspxselfdiscovery
Number of films tagged: 514

Number of people who tagged: 22

Number of times used: 38

]]>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:56:35 GMT5142238Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/soul/MemberTagFilms.aspxsoul
Number of films tagged: 173

Number of people who tagged: 17

Number of times used: 21

]]>Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:13:44 GMT1731721Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/band/MemberTagFilms.aspxband
Number of films tagged: 25

Number of people who tagged: 16

Number of times used: 26

]]>Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:05:36 GMT251626Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/behindthescenes/MemberTagFilms.aspxbehindthescenes
Number of films tagged: 2757

Number of people who tagged: 15

Number of times used: 16

]]>Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:02:41 GMT27571516Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/songwriter/MemberTagFilms.aspxsongwriter
Number of films tagged: 1690

Number of people who tagged: 9

Number of times used: 15

]]>Tue, 05 May 2009 13:12:46 GMT1690915Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/audition/MemberTagFilms.aspxaudition
Number of films tagged: 114

Number of people who tagged: 8

Number of times used: 9

]]>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:25:47 GMT11489Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/band-music-group/MemberTagFilms.aspxband-music-group
Number of films tagged: 3095

Number of people who tagged: 5

Number of times used: 6

]]>Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:02:37 GMT309556Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/bluesmusic/MemberTagFilms.aspxbluesmusic
Number of films tagged: 619

Number of people who tagged: 5

Number of times used: 7

]]>Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:05:23 GMT61957Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/dublin/MemberTagFilms.aspxdublin
Number of films tagged: 3

Number of people who tagged: 4

Number of times used: 5

]]>Sun, 19 Oct 2008 13:51:30 GMT345Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/1991/MemberTagFilms.aspx1991
Number of films tagged: 3

Number of people who tagged: 3

Number of times used: 3

]]>Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:20:51 GMT333Tag