Search - Amongst Women on DVD

Samuel K. (Solvanda)
Reviewed on 7/9/2018...

Excessively high-strung Irish drama.

STRONG IRISH EMOTIONAL DRAMA IN THE 50's

Harold Wolf | Wells, IN United States | 12/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Beautiful Ireland is shown with a family of 5 children immediately after the mother dies in the early 1950's. The story of the dysfunction of this group is portrayed by a grand set of actors playing the family members. Tony Doyle leads the group as the father who is disgusted with the Irish politics after spending time as a soldier in the IRA. He has a huge anger management problem, is selfish, brutal, and as the Irish have been known to put it--a horse's arse. He plays the role so convincingly that it's a wonder someone has not tossed his uncaring bulk over the Cliffs of Moor by now. That's how well he performs the role. You'll love the actor but hate the character.

Daddy Moran remarries to Rose (Ger Ryan) who spends the rest of the decade making excuses for her husband if not calming him. Similarly, daughter Maggie (Susan Lynch), who is the first of the 3 girls to escape the house, spends lots of time making up what people say about her father and making up what her father thinks of her siblings. It is all an attempt to smooth hard feelings between all the members. Mona (Gerandine O'Rawe) and Shella (Anne-Marie Duff) also find means of getting out from under the brutish treatment of an uncontrollable father. They escape the anxiety of never knowing when or what will next make Daddy angry.

Actually, son Luke (Brian F. O'Byrne)is the first to leave home, bitter as a result of his beatings from his father and vowing never to return. Will he ever, even as the father nears death in 1960, and the siblings beg him to make amends? The last to leave was son Michael (Demien McAdam) who has his own struggles learning to be adult, his alcohol limits, sexuality, and educational disinterests.

This ex-soldier/father of the 50's wants his family to be united and knows little of how to make it happen. The children fear him and want to escape but also have an inner craving for family life as well. It is an emotional roller coaster for every member, each riding their own out-of-control coaster car, and the track has seemed to self destruct. This is a serious award winning BBC drama about Irish Baby Boomers (if there is such a thing). Powerful drama (no comedy) but 5-star worthy.

Will love win? Will the children return? Will there be forgiveness? Will the family unite? It is 4 episodes lasting about 55 minutes each, but don't expect to be able to stop between the segments. Hugely emotional, but tip-top Irish drama.

PS. No subtitles by the dialect is fairly understandable. We had to reverse a few times to catch some phrases."