Irish Whiskey

Eliciting fine performances from an unknown cast, as most of these actors were when the film was made in 1997, is challenging, yet I found that most of the performances in this low-budget excellently directed independent feature film were uniformly outstanding! Brad Pagano who I understand never acted before, gives a very moving performance as Irish-American Michael, a bigoted alcoholic corrupt politician hitting bottom, trying to prevent his son from repeating his mistakes, and trying to make amends to his long suffering wife Brenda (excellently acted by Rebecca Clemons) when it's really almost too late; I say almost because I sensed that they still love each other beneath the layers of pain, and somehow we get a feeling that they may back together even though the split is very definitive in the film. For a film that explores such dark family relationship issues - effects an alcoholic has on his family, and a devout Catholic woman seeking liberty from a 25 year abusive marriage by breaking away from her religious values, the film is surprisingly amusing and at times bitterly funny as my wife and I found ourselves laughing, especially as the bigot dares utter outrageous Archie Bunker style phrases, i.e., calling his brother's black fiancée "Shaka Zulu's daughter". Over all, I and my wife - who was riveted by this "chick-flick" that can actually be shared and enjoyed by males as well, loved it, story, characters...shot very realistically in 35mm film (rare these days for indie films), almost in documentary style, with one great long scene pitting the women in the family against each other, shot almost entirely with a hand held camera, giving us an urgent being there feeling, as though we're eavesdropping on the characters and their secret conflicts being exposed for the first time perhaps. The film features a terrific performance by Vince De Pasquele (aka Vince Duval, a young Robert De Niro lookalike) playing a tormented Viet Nam veteran whose black fiancée had helped heal and is now on the spiritual path having gotten over his addictions. The great Celtic rock band The Young Dubliners perform rousing Irish rebel music during the finale wedding scene, leaving us with the hope that despite the hardships in all family relationships, there is always the possibility for forgiveness, redemption, and a new start when facilitated by love.

I expected a silly Archie Bunker interracial comedy, but to my surprise it was actually a highly engrossing and emotionally charged women's flick.

The arrival of the black woman character Cassandra who unexpectedly lands among the women in this dysfunctional Irish household, actually serves as the catalyst for change in the life of Brenda, wife of the Archie Bunker character.

When Cassandra arrives, at first Brenda echoes her husband Michael's bigotry, but before too long, Brenda realizes that the black woman is the woman she had always aspired to be, and so there is this powerful dynamic in the interrelationship between the white women of the family, and the black woman as Brenda starts to reevaluate her choices in life, and the film climaxes with her making a profound choice that I found totally credible.

Irish Whiskey turned out to be a very well acted, powerful, refreshing independent film with a terrific cast of unknowns, a intelligent movie that makes you think, and has a powerful appeal to young and adult women. I highly recommend it!

A friend recommended I see the film. It's a very wonderful women's film. I'd venture to say it's transformational. The center character, a traditional, religious Irish-American wife of a bigot gives a very strong performance. As a matter of fact most of the cast is excellent. There are very funny lines and situations throughout the film. It makes you laugh and cry, and there is a devastating father son scene that leaves you in tears, but the film ends on a note of hope, not artificially sweet, but bitter-sweet true to life. I recommend this undiscovered gem of a low budget beautifully shot independent film wholeheartedly! And yes, for Young Dubliners fans, it's a special treat to see this great Irish rock band perform in the wedding scene finale.

This film is well done.

It has a well selected cast with good performances.

The story and characters are very real and true to life.

It makes a positive statement on the human condition.

This film shows good production values.

The production quality is amazing.

The entertainment value is outstanding.

I loved the Celtic music and enjoyed the fact that the Young Dubliners appear in the film's finale Irish wedding scene.

There is a scene in the movie that takes place in the bedroom, between the alcoholic father explaining to his son why he is the way he is and why his son should not be like him.

It is a very deeply moving emotional scene. It reminded me of the relationship I had with my own father.

I found that director Jon Stevens elicited outstanding performances from the unknown actors.

Even though this film takes place in 1997, it deals with many family issues relevant today, especially women. Jon Stevens who also co-wrote the screenplay, dares to show the dark side of family, but he handled it with compassion, sensitivity and humor. It's really an important piece of work full of courage, dedication, and love.

I was additionally surprised and amazed by the high technical quality of this low budgeted independent film.

While the focus is on Irish-Americans, I highly recommend this wonderful film to all families.