Parked

So many lives end up this way because those in the know still don't listen and admit to the signs.

Been given the right help is a lottery, too much talk and not enough action and certainly funds are not given enough here rather than to health factors who can help themselves a lot more.

Wake up world.

A very moving film - a credit to the producers Ripple World and to a very talented cast. The story follows Fred Daly (Colm Meaney), an introverted and marginalized middle-aged man who returns to Ireland and ends up living in his car. He befriends a young homeless junkie, Cathal (Colin Morgan) and the two find comfort and a glimmer of hope in their low-key friendship.

Meaney gives a superb performance, walking the tightrope between sentimentality and cheap laughs without ever falling into either trap. He plays a man clinging to the last vestiges of normality, whether it be watering a plant or brushing his teeth, - a drowning man by the sea, clinging to the smallest pieces of debris to stay afloat. Morgan, best known as Merlin in the TV series of the same name, shows huge promise as a big screen actor.

Well written by Ciaran Creagh whose theatre background has given him a good ear for dialogue. Directed with elegant understatement by Darragh Byrne and with some beautiful photography from John Conroy including cinematic landscapes that lifted it away from potential TV-style relentless grimness.

If there is a single word for the movie, it is uncompromising. It takes a hard, unblinking look at lives on the margins but manages to retain its characters' humanity. I watched it at the LA Irish Film Festival 2011 and there were more than a few tears shed in the audience, which again is a credit to the film-makers in a world where shiny things and explosions usually dominate. For sure it is a slow burn, but all the more elegant for that. Full of sadness and pathos, but leaving the door open for a final sliver of hope to shine through. Bravo.

It's not just a movie.It's a sad beautiful poem. I still can't get the characters (specially Colin's) out of my mind. The music is excellent ! I still have tears in my eyes whenever I remember Cathal's last moments :( . The only thing that I felt missing in this movie is a bit of details about both the character's past life. This is one of those movies which creates an ever lasting impression in a person's mind.It's heart warming and heart breaking. And one thing is sure Colm Meaney and Colin Morgan has made Fred and Cathal immortal with their strong performances. Hats off to them and also to all those who made this beautiful movie.

I liked the look of this and the storyline sounded interesting

It is ok up to the first half then before you know it it is over with a poor ending.

I didn't care for either of the characters and didn't feel it was as harrowing as some are miking out. In fact I would say it was very weak in parts.

(Sorry English is not my first language).

I put a 10 /10 because I haven't been able to watch "Parked" without feeling a deep compassion and empathy for Cathal O'Regan (played by Colin Morgan) and Fred Daly (played by Colm Meaney), the two leading roles of "Parked".

I watched this movie because of Colin Morgan (Merlin). I was curious to see him in a different kind of character than in Merlin (great show by the way). Watching "Parked" after "Merlin" shows how much Colin Morgan is capable of playing so many different emotions in a very realistic way, this is undeniably the mark of a very talented actor. It always amazes me how some actors are able to reproduce an incredible range of emotions with so much accuracy and realism, like if it were their own feelings. To be able to do this, they need to have a huge understanding of human soul I suppose. Colin Morgan give a very concrete life to the characters he plays, and this always in a subtle and intelligent manner.

"Parked" touched me and makes me remember that everyday we can see around us people like Cathal or Fred. We end up ignoring them like they were invisible, trying to forget that they are part of our society. But they are exactly like us, made of the same substance. We could be them. What can we said about a society where strong people crush the weak instead of helping them?

-------------------

If you like this movie, I also recommended you to watch "Island", a very good Irish movie with Colin Morgan (I already was a fan of Irish movies but now, after Colin Morgan, I'm going to be unbeatable on the subject!).

.