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The Commitments
1991 118 min United States of America, United Kingdom R 16+
★7.9
Comedy, Drama, Music
Director: Alan Parker
🎭 Based on
«The Commitments»
byRoddy Doyle
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
Jimmy Rabbitte, just a thick-ya out of school, gets a brilliant idea: to put a soul band together in Barrytown, his slum home in north Dublin. First he needs musicians and singers: things slowly start to click when he finds three fine-voiced females virtually in his back yard, a lead singer (Deco) at a wedding, and, responding to his ad, an aging trumpet player, Joey "The Lips" Fagan.
Budget:
$12M
US Gross:
$14.92M
Worldwide:
$14.92M
Starring
Robert Arkins
Actor
Michael Aherne
Actor
Angeline Ball
Actor
Awards
BAFTA 1992
— Best Director
BAFTA 1992
— Best Picture
BAFTA 1992
— Best Film Editing
BAFTA 1992
— Best Sound
BAFTA 1992
— Best Film Editing
BAFTA 1992
— Best Adapted Screenplay
Academy Awards 1992
— Best Film Editing
Golden Globe 1992
— Best Picture (Comedy or Musical)
Key opinion
Alan Parker's The Commitments is widely celebrated as an authentic, energetic, and humorous portrayal of a Dublin soul band's rise and fall. Its success relies heavily on the vibrant musical performances and the raw, naturalistic chemistry of its ensemble cast, which captures the working-class Irish spirit with both cynicism and heart.
| Score | The vibrant, soul-infused soundtrack acts as the film's beating heart, effectively grounding the narrative in authentic musical passion. | |
| Acting | The ensemble cast of unknown actors delivers luminous, realistic performances that capture the gritty yet charismatic energy of a fledgling band. | |
| Screenplay | Sharp, witty, and vernacular-rich dialogue provides a compelling, darkly humorous window into the working-class Dublin setting. | |
| Pacing | The film maintains an exhilarating, driving momentum that mirrors the rhythmic energy of the performances it showcases. | |
| Editing | While the film is lauded for its realistic and lived-in aesthetic, some viewers find its structure chaotic, reflecting the messy, turbulent nature of the band's journey. |