Fine drama about an Irish family. The story is nothing new but the movie is very entertaining. There are some big names related to this movie. Gabriel Byrne was co-writer of the screenplay, producer and actor in this movie. There's also a small but funny role for Stephen Rea as a cab driver. The leading role is for Jared Leto, the guy who played also one of the leading role is the outstanding movie "Requiem for a dream". In "The last of the high kings" he also gives a good performance. Furthermore we have Emily Mortimer who gives an excellent performance as the sweet and beautiful Romy Thomas. Christina Ricci, who we know from "The opposite of Sex" is also in this movie as Erin.

In general this is a entertaining and sometimes funny movie, although there's nothing special in it. 7/10

1977. Awkward teenager Frankie (an excellent and engaging performance by Jared Leto) has just finished his final exams that could lead to him going to college. However, Frankie fears that he may have failed said exams, so he spends the summer pining for two local girls while contending with his eccentric family and trying to figure out exactly what he's going to do with the rest of his life. Director David Keating, who also co-wrote the wry script with Gabriel Byrne, relates the engrossing story at a relaxed pace, offers an affectionate depiction of the 70's era that thankfully doesn't resort to silly kitsch, neatly mines an amusing line in good-natured low-key humor, and astutely nails the bittersweet yearning, confusion, and uncertainty of adolescence verging on adulthood. Moreover, what makes this movie so likable and appealing is the breezy way it just sort of ambles along at a pleasantly laid-back clip, with plenty of well observed moments of warm drama and gentle comedy sprinkled throughout as well as loads of sharp asides at Irish pride, conservatism, and nationalism. The sturdy acting by the able cast keeps the picture on track: Catherine O'Hara almost steals the whole show with her spirited portrayal of Frankie's fiery and domineering mother Cathleen, Christina Ricci makes the most out of her regrettably minor role as bubbly and radiant American Erin, Byrne registers well as Frankie's colorful actor father Jack, Colm Meaney impresses as smug politician Jim Davern, and Stephen Rea has a funny bit as a gregarious cab driver with a knack for telling tale tales. In addition, there are praiseworthy contributions from Lorraine Pilkington as the saucy and vibrant Jayne Wayne, Jason Berry as loyal friend Nelson Fitzgerald, and Emily Mortimer as the pretty and charming Romy Thomas. Bernd Heinl's crisp cinematography provides a pleasing sunny look. Michael Conventino's jaunty harmonic score and the choice rock soundtrack are fine as well. A nice little film.

This film didn't start off too badly, but things just got progressively worse. There was the occasional amusing scene, especially during the beginning, but I never found a reason to start liking these characters. When Christina Ricci showed up, I was hoping that she would give the film a shot in the arm, but her character was gone before she had time to make an impact. And so, the final half-hour was simply a chore to watch and a dreadful way to end a poor movie. There's nothing that I can recommend about this film, but I would certainly be interested in finding out why some North American actors were hired for Irish parts. My theory is that some Irish actors saw the script, and they were wise enough to pass on this bomb.