Irish Eyes

I walked out of the theater after viewing Irish Eyes with a profound sense of awe. I had witnessed a story as old as the bible (Cain and Able) told in such a dramatic new fashion that I felt as if I had never heard it before. This movie has an epic feel. The relationship between the brothers is the essence of the film. The often times difficult relationship brothers have is certainly more complicated when your professional lives are in conflict, as one bother is a US attorney charged with bring down organized crime figures (the good brother, Able) and the other is the head of the Irish Mob(the bad brother, Cain.) The city of Boston is as much a character in this film as the state troopers, and the city is a reflection of the brothers. The pictures on the screen project a city with youth and vigor as the brothers begin to grow up, and it turns darker and more dangerous, as the brothers age and grow more cynical and deadly. Truly the climax takes place when Tom, the good brother, delivers his speech at the end of the movie. Watching that scene you believe that his very own real life brother is the head of the Irish Mob. If you liked Public Enemy or State of Grace, then you'll love Irish Eyes.

'Irish Eyes' or 'Vendetta' is an action-packed crime-drama that follows two Irish-American brothers in Boston from childhood to adulthood as they rise to power on opposite sides of the law.

The story begins in 1955 at a shipyard in South Boston. John Phelan, a burly dock worker with a thick Irish brogue, argues with two Mafioso over the strongarm tactics of the Italian-controlled union. The altercation turns physical and John, an adept pugilist, sends his enemies away limping. The following morning John kisses his wife and sons goodbye. As he exits the house, bullets rip through his chest as the two mobsters casually walk away. SEAN (Daniel Baldwin) and THOMAS (John Novak) watch as their father lies dying in the street.

Eight years later, Sean and Thomas have taken completely different paths in life. Thomas studies with ambitions to make something of his life while Sean hangs out on street corners and dabbles in petty crime. Thomas eventually leaves for college and Sean, after a botched bank robbery attempt, winds up in prison.

The early 1980s: Sean Phelan is fresh out of jail. Irish gang wars have bloodied the streets, and like a moth to a flame, Sean soon finds himself climbing the ranks of Boston's Irish mob. Meanwhile, Thomas is just as hungry for power and recognition on his side of the law. Now a District Attorney, Thomas is mentored by his father in law, Jack McGuire, a man with enough clout to help Thomas rise through the ranks of city politics.

Their paths eventually cross in an unfogettable way as they're both forced to make decisions that will change their lives forever.

I saw this as Vendetta and was very disappointed. Its not that the acting or the story was bad, its just that the direction and everything about the film on a technical level comes across as unimaginative bad TV.

Basically its the story of an Irish family in Boston where some end up as good guys and some as bad. Daniel Baldwin stars as the head of the Irish Mafia who is running into trouble.

I really can't say much about this movie. I wanted so much to like it but was forced to keep repeating "This should be better, this should be better" over and over to prevent my frustration from harming the TV.

Its not quite that bad, and it is worth seeing on cable. I just wish it was better.

Irish Eyes is well worth viewing. The relationship between the brothers played by Daniel Baldwin and John Novak is engaging to watch and both actors give heartfelt performances. The story is gritty and compelling, supported by a strong acting ensemble. Bravo to Daniel McCarthy for bringing a great story to the big screen!! It's a remarkable achievement for someone writing, directing and producing his first feature.

The plot was dull, the acting was forced and uninspired, the accents were unbearable, the direction was not present, the film itself was out of focus. Writer/Director/Actor/Producer Daniel McCarthy must have forgotten to include focus puller in his list of responsibilities.

I only wish MST3k was still on the air, this beats Manos: The Hands of Fate for the worst movie ever made. I saw this at the New York premiere and asked the projectionist about the film being out of focus and he told me he spent much of the running time trying to fix the focus only to realize it was the film itself which was out of focus. Despite all of these factors I stayed through the four times I expected the movie to finish and then kept going for another twenty minutes until it finally came to an anti-climactic and predictable end. It is no wonder why they had to get a new film editor during post-production.

I recommend this film for the U.S. government as an alternative to traditional torture techniques as this is far worse than water boarding, not to mention they have to watch Daniel Baldwin fail to act his way out of a paper bag or donut box. Whatever the title of this movie is watch at your own risk. If I had Bill Cosby's money I would buy the rights to this and destroy any record of it. I can only hope Writer/Director/Actor/Producer Daniel McCarthy does not inflict any more damage to the minds of unsuspecting film goers ever again. Horrible, just plain horrible.