Falling for a Dancer

This is a superb mini-series based on the book by Deirdre Purcell. Based in rural Ireland in the 1920s/ 30s, it explores many of the strong cultural influences at the time regarding the family, the importance of land, taboos about extramarital pregnancy etc. It depicts the difficulty faced by Lizzie (Elisabeth Dermot-Walsh) in turning from a young urban woman to the wife of an older rural man (Dermot Crowley), her struggle with her sexuality and ultimately her developing relationship with Mossie (Liam Cunningham).

Excellent performances are particularly given by Liam Cunningham and Elisabeth Dermot Walsh, and both of these are names to watch for in the future.

This is a wonderfully acted story of young Irish Catholic girl who is compelled to marry an unattractive widower(her only other option is a horrifying workhouse) after she's become pregnant (the proverbial one-night-stand) with a traveling actor.

Elisabeth Dermot Walsh (the young woman) and Liam Cunningham (neighbor and cousin-in-law) are absolutely delightful and maintain the viewer's interest throughout. The production is also beautiful. Dermot Walsh as a "dutiful" wife forced in a dreary loveless marriage is fantastic -- her disastrous flirtation at a local dance is actually understandable, given the stark circumstances that surround her. Cunningham conveys everything through his eyes and convincing acting. They're stunning and memorable.

Lovely, highly entertaining story.

I have to agree with other reviewers that this Irish movie is above average. Although it's not a recent production, it's certainly worth tracking down. I got my copy via my public library. The actors, the dialogue and the storyline are top-notch. Add to that the bleak landscape and realistic handling of this isolated location, and you can really 'feel' how difficult it was for our young female lead character. Each character was fully realized and even the children were very well portrayed. A very mature and intelligent approach to a timeless story of young, naive infatuation and how the 'land' and community can shape your life. I was truly impressed by the solid acting, especially by the main protagonists. The pace was perfect and the emotions this story hit upon were subtly yet authentically presented. Kudos for this little-known movie/mini-series.

This film is beautiful, interesting and very moving.

The story of a young girl that gets pregnant by an actor in a traveling theatrical company and is married off to a 40 year old widower to avoid scandal.

The 3 hours grant enough time for the story to unfold itself without hurry. Characters have time to be developed properly. The landscape has time to grow on you.

All the actors really deserve praise for this. Especially Liam Cunningham and Elisabeth Dermot-Walsh. Eleanor Methven should be mentioned too.

Although this film is now sold as a Colin Farrell vehicle, his role is really very small - although certainly one of his best.

I give this movie 10/10 and really cannot understand why it is that underrated here.

I surfed my way to this movie one day by accident, and the breathtaking scenery of Ireland caught my attention. After a very short time I was lost in the story and the characters. I enjoy movies that take me to other places and other times, and this one does both. This was a grand story, full of the passions that cause both tragedy and happiness for it's people. The location was so well represented that it left a feeling in me that I had actually been to Ireland. We seldom see stories of with such a sweeping scope in a made-for-television movie. I saw this movie over 4 years ago and have been waiting ever since then to see it again, as I did miss the first half hour or so of it. The many people in this film are so real, so well fleshed out, that the author is to be congratulated as well as the marvelous cast, of which none were known to me, and being new faces were all that much more real to me. I recommend it without hesitation that anyone who enjoys a real romance, full of difficulties, trials and misunderstandings that get in the way of all who seek happiness in life.