| Inside I'm Dancing | |
|---|---|
USA poster for Rory O'Shea Was Here |
|
| Directed by | Damien O'Donnell |
| Produced by | James Flynn Juanita Wilson |
| Written by | Story: Christian O'Reilly Screenplay: Jeffrey Caine |
| Starring | James McAvoy Steven Robertson Romola Garai Brenda Fricker |
| Music by | David Julyan |
| Cinematography | Peter J. Robertson |
| Editing by | Fran Parker |
| Studio | StudioCanal Working Title Films Irish Film Board WT2 Productions |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures Momentum Pictures (UK) Focus Features (USA) |
| Release date(s) | October 15, 2004 (UK) February 4, 2005 (USA) |
| Running time | 100 minutes |
| Country | Ireland |
| Language | English |
Inside I'm Dancing, also released under the title Rory O'Shea Was Here, is a 2004 Irish film directed by Damien O'Donnell (East is East) and starring James McAvoy, Steven Robertson, Romola Garai, and Brenda Fricker. The film revolves around two disabled young men who pursue physical and emotional independence in direct defiance of "protective" institutional living and their society's prevailing standards and attitudes, especially pity.
The production was filmed in Dublin and Wicklow and involved production companies Working Title Films and StudioCanal with assistance from the Irish Film Board (Bord Scannán na hÉireann).
Contents |
Michael Connolly (Steven Robertson) is a twenty-four-year-old with cerebral palsy who is a long-term resident of the Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled run by the formidable Eileen (Brenda Fricker). His life, mundane and schedule-driven by the institution's authorities, is transformed when the maverick Rory O'Shea (James McAvoy), who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, suddenly moves in. Michael is stunned to discover that fast talking Rory, prone to lewd and/or overt jokes at unpredictable intervals, and who can move only his right hand, can understand his almost unintelligible speech. Rory's dynamic and rebellious nature soon sparks a flame in Michael, introducing him to the wider world outside of Carrigmore.
On a day out in Dublin led by Carrigmore collecting for "the needs of the disabled", Rory leads Michael astray, sneaking off to a local pub with their donation bucket ("This is for the NEEDS of the disabled; I'm disabled and I NEED a drink!"), charming a group of girls at a corner table at which sits Siobhán (Romola Garai); later they see Siobhán again while traversing a neighboring nightclub, which they get into only by Michael citing Irish and EU Disability Discrimination Law text to the bouncer.
Rory has meanwhile repeatedly failed in his application for the Independent Living Allowance; he is always denied but told to reapply in six months. Inspired by his example Michael applies for the allowance himself; with the help of Rory as his interpreter Michael gets the allowance but they struggle to find an apartment that is both wheelchair accessible and affordable. Rory convinces Michael to visit his estranged father who, out of guilt, gives them the money and property they need to set up on their own. The two gleefully enter and settle in, but then they realize they need a Personal Care Assistant to help them with various household movements.
They interview a collection of odd characters in their search for this care-giver with little success, but later they meet Siobhán working in a local supermarket, and try to convince her to take on the job. Despite not having any professional experience she reluctantly accepts.
Seeing that Michael and Siobhán are especially friendly to each other (although not romantically), Rory becomes increasingly jealous of them and causes trouble to release his frustration, going so far as to take a joyride with the local kids in a stolen car, crashing it, subsequently getting briefly detained by the police.
Siobhán invites Rory and Michael along to a costume party; Rory warns "someone might think it is his lucky night" knowing Michael has fallen hopelessly in love with Siobhán. Rory is dressed as Doctor Strangelove, Michael as a naval officer, and Siobhan is dressed in a revealing nurse's uniform. Michael dances with Siobhan but she rejects his romantic advances, and as a result of this rejection conditions in the house turn frosty and tense. Siobhan brings in Peter, a qualified Personal Assistant to replace herself, trying to do the dignified thing by not simply leaving, but Rory, in his subsequent insults to her for walking out, pushes her too far. "You know what your disability is!? You're an arsehole!" she tells him.
Meanwhile Michael is distraught over Siobhán's departure from their lives, and considering suicide; Rory finds him on the edge of the James Joyce Bridge. Michael jokingly complains the edge is too high for him to throw himself off, and Rory talks him out of it, reminding him he has a future and to enjoy it.
Then tragedy strikes, with Michael finding Rory in his bed struggling to breathe, and calls for an ambulance. His disease having progressed, Rory is given only a few days to live.
Michael visits Siobhán and with her help goes to the review board on behalf of Rory to argue his case, another chance having come up after six months. The board complain that Rory is a rebel who causes trouble and makes mistakes. Michael argues that "the right must exist independently of its exercising" and as a gesture the board approve Rory's independent living allowance "in principle" but before they can get to the hospital to tell Rory the news, he has already passed on.
The film ends with Michael and Siobhan attending Rory's funeral. Michael hears in his mind Rory's words "Well, then, are we going out?" and we then see Michael heading out on his own after saying goodbye to Siobhan.
Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 49% based on 69 reviews, with a rating average of 5.8 out of 10.[1] Among Rotten Tomatoes' "Top Critics", the film holds an overall approval rating of 43%, based on a sample of 21 reviews. The site's general consensus is that "The dramatic aspects of Rory O'Shea Was Here veer into mawkish, formulaic sentiment, which undercuts the characters' individuality."[2]
Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score gives the film 59% based on 23 reviews.[3]
Neil Smith gave the film 4/5 stars but felt casting non-disabled actors undermined the film.[4]
The film won four awards.[5]
As noted on the film poster the film was from the producers of Bridget Jones Diary.
The film features the Johnny Cash cover version of "Hurt". Siobhan asks Rory "Were you born like this ... dodgy hair and shit taste in music?" and plays the Cash song for him.[6]