Strength and Honour

I tried so hard to take the movie seriously, but being from the City where it was filmed, it just seems they took the complete mickey out of the city/culture etc... and every time I was nearly taking it seriously again something else "local" happened that we couldn't stop laughing at! I will agree it was a good attempt, but way too cliché-ed! The accents were awful and bore no resemblance to authentic Cork accents. As previously commented on, I'm sure it will be a hit in the States, but for anyone in the know, it will be a cringeful experience. I just feel that they put the scenes together and no one "proof-watched" it. All in all it tells of a true Irish tradition, but overly and badly dramatist.

Strength and Honor is a story of hope and personal triumph, and in this world filled with Matrix-wannabees, B-level comedy full of toilet humor, and 300 million dollar glitz, it's refreshing to find a film with no gratuitous sex, gore, or profanity. This film has such a strong and simple theme, you won't have a feeling of apprehension taking your 13 year-old daughter to see it (and she'll probably hug you on the way out of the theater). To put it in a single phrase, this movie is what good film-making is all about. Director Mark Mahon has woven an inspirational piece of cinema, and this candid reporter is better for seeing it. Be it karma or sheer fortune, I was able to meet and talk with Mr. Mahon, who also wrote and produced Strength and Honor. I found him to be just as rare and honest as his film is. It was obvious that I had stumbled upon one of those unique and spectacular individuals that make one ask, "I wonder what he'll do next?" (Mahon is working on his next feature 'Freedom Within the Heart', slated for 2009) Keep your eyes-peeled folks, because if Strength and Honor is any indication of what Mark Mahon can do his first time out the cinema gate, we are bound to be thrilled with his future endeavors. He's a storyteller – one to watch…and keep watching.

This is an excellent film. Perhaps it is a bit old fashioned because it is inundated with moral decisions and high ideas. The purity of the film is superb. This film has similarities to the most recent Rocky and Cinderella man but with a low budget. It is not cynical but it has many sad moments and a realism about the frequency that death affects the lives of people. It is also a film that addresses family loyalty. It is very complimentary to Ireland but only covers a small section of the society.

Perhaps, reviewers believe that a young boy has to be sarcastic like in a show like the Simpsons. But this kid is genuine. The relationship between father and son is not some twisted argumentative thing. This film at its heart is about heroes. It is certain to annoy both extreme left and right wing people who believe all people are flawed fools.

Language. I am not a linguist so I do not know if the language was perfect Irish accent. But it certainly would encourage people to go to Ireland. The boxing scenes were no more brutal than Rocky; There was a small amount of swearing and no sleazy scenes. I took my 13 year old daughter to see this film. She loved it. Michael Madsen is a fine actor and the role is a great. It was an entirely adult audience that seemed to like this film with applause at the end. Too bad that this film is likely to slip below the radar.

Well, I didnt expect much and I didnt get much. This movie is so bad that its watchable, if you know what I mean, and I know that you do. Enjoy lads.

This film is rubbish. Lazy, join the dots 'storytelling'. It purports to be about Ireland but unless you believe that Darby O'Gill lives with the little people there is no credibility whatsoever; could have been made 50 years ago and even then would have been crap.

There is no attempt to address Ireland in the noughties, the Celtic Tiger, the boom, the me culture, immigration or whatever. Just another Oirish pastiche for some gullible Americans - who must be sick of this rubbish as well.

How this film got made mystifies me but perhaps therein lies a more interesting story.

I'm from Cork so no 'anti Cork' bias stuff please..This movie is the worst tripe I've seen in years and makes me embarrassed to be Irish and a Corkonian.

Avoid, avoid, avoid.