So much average

Pretty Good

Highly Overrated But Still Good

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

This is a moving picture, in the sense of the audience being moved by the film. I got it from NetFlix without knowing much about it, and was blown away. Steven Robertson and James McAvoy as Michael and Rory turn in performances which can only be called exquisite. and Romola Garai, of whom I'd never even heard, is lovely and empathetic as the men's chosen caregiver. All characters were beautifully written, and the training Robertson and McAvoy went through in order to make their portrayals true was obviously quite comprehensive. The two main characters endure physical and emotional challenges which most of us can only imagine. As my wife said at the end, "See the problems we don't have?" This film should make everyone who sees it grateful to be able to stand up and talk. I'm not reviewing the story because others have already done that. I'm just here to say that watching this movie is a touching, and often quite funny, film experience.

Best comedy I have ever watched. Its very funny and not degrading to people with special needs. Its made on a low budget which doesn't take from it. It is very Irish which adds to its charm. Although funny it has some sad scenes. Its something men and women will both enjoy. Makes you more aware of the problems special needs people have. The main male actors are very good. I would like to see a sequel. Its a great idea that could have a follow up.If i was to try and pick faults for me i would say the love story part could have been more convincing or passionate and the sad part drags out a bit to much for a comedy. Other wise it is great a laugh a minute. Funny but simple and normal laughs. Brilliant.

Rory is a rebellious disabled person stuck in a home for disabled people. He hates it there and feels like a vegetable, being trapped in prison and rebels whenever he can. Here, he meets Michael, a young man with cerebal palsy and severe speech difficulties. Rory manage to understand him perfectly and the two strike up a friendship. They leave the home to live on their own in a flat and employ Siobhan as their carer.Michael has lived in homes his whole life and has no concept of independence so Rory teaches him how. The first heart-breaking scene is when Rory and Michael go and see Michael's father who has abandoned him so that they can afford a flat. Michael's father rejects his son as his responsibility, yet has a picture of his other son graduating. It is heart-breaking to see Michael's distress on seeing how little his father cares for him.When Michael refuses to go out and sits by the window, i was reminded of my brother who has disabilities and how he will not go out unless he has planned to, and merely sits and watches the world go by. A perfect portrayal of the way the disabled mind works.When Michael falls for Siobhan, Rory helps him to get over her as she decides she must leave. Rory shows him that he still has a future ahead of him. The two go out in the rain before returning to their flat.Rory's death is almost inevitable from the moment the two move in together, yet it is still shocking when he does fall ill from pneumonia and has mere days left. Michael is clearly shocked, not having considered this. He seeks out Siobhan's help to make Rory a free man before he dies, making a brilliant speech in front of the board in charge of independent living.When they return to the hospital it is clear Rory has died and when Rory's father hugs Michael it is a surprising yet touching scene. At this point i was in fits of tears. The inevitability still did not prepare me for the pain of it. Rory's funeral was painful to watch as, with a lot of disabled people, he died far too young.When Michale returns to the flat, Rory's empty wheelchair is sitting in his room. A stark show of how empty a life can be when someone with disabilities dies. He hears an echo of Rory's voice and goes out into the world alone.A truly beautiful film that damn near broke my heart, with excellent acting from the two lead roles that perfectly portray the stance and emotions of disabled people. I am truly grateful that the world has changed since and that there are more possibilities for disabled living instead of full time care and no care. Let's hope the world will change it's view on disability in the future.

To be honest I nearly skipped over this film, thinking that I wasn't in the mood for something slow pace, overly poignant and mundane! It was really only on the off chance that I thought I should at least give it a try.Straight away with the arrival of Rory O' Shea to the screen, I was drawn into the story! The connection between the leading characters of the film was intense. And Rory's father really brings an odd vibe into the film, giving an uncanny depth to the lead characters situations and disabilities!The greatest feature of the film, however, in my eyes, was the way in which the director took the film! The total lack of subtitles for Michael Crowley's difficulties to communicate orally was a different stroke from how a normal approach to dealing with this story would have been taken! This little feature was, in my estimation set the movie apart as a truly great.That spark and the tremendous acting, collaborative spirit, the plot (often exciting in moments and infinitely far from mundane) in the movie and the strong finish all contributed to me scoring this so highly!I'm rare to give tens - because I feel its the needle in a haystack that deserves a ten. But I feel comfortable doing so in this case! Very enjoyable movie. Watch it.