On Broadway

Set in the Irish Catholic neighborhood in south Boston, on Broadway is a worthwhile film about family, friends and the courage to follow a dream - no matter what. I had the opportunity to see the film at the Phoenix film festival, where it was the Sundance Channel Audience Award Winner. I was moved by the relationships among the characters. The film is well acted and well cast. The soundtrack was perfect for the movie.

Dave McLaughlin, writer and director, was at the film festival. Not only is he very talented, but also a genuinely nice person.

For me, a movie where I can laugh and cry is a winner. On Broadway has it all. I hope this film gets wide release.

This movie, small though it is, is brilliant. It has real heart and a genuine love for its subject. I knew none of the actors in On Broadway but they all turned in wonderfully "real" performances. All through the film I found myself willing the main character Jack to succeed in his desire to write, stage and direct his first play inspired by his beloved uncle's death, in spite of fierce opposition from his father. The relationships between the characters whether familial or romantic are portrayed in a really authentic way and are totally believable. I want to see anything else written or directed by its author/director as he has a fantastic talent which should be encouraged and nurtured. Its on Sky TV in |uk at the moment so try to catch it if you can.

I saw this at the Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck, Michigan.

Jack O'Toole's beloved uncle Pete dies unexpectedly. After the wake, Jack decides to write a play based on the wake and to celebrate the life of his uncle. With the help of his fellow Boston friends, he attempts to put on the production of the play, even if it means having it performed in a little Irish Pub.

Written and directed by Dave McLaughlin and starring Joseph McIntyre, the wonderful film was a joy to watch. I loved the whole cast, they were well written and the actors did a great job. I was very impressed by Joseph McIntyre, he has come a long nicely since his early days as a member of New Kids on the Block. I also enjoyed the small role that Mike O'Malley played. The soundtrack was also amazing, the songs fit the story perfectly.

Dave McLaughlin, Joseph McIntyre, and Lance Greene were at the festival and they were all very nice. I hope this film gets a wider release after the festival circuit. I know a lot of people will enjoy the film and be entertained by it. It's a nice film about friends and family and how important they all are. Look for this film, see it, then spread the word.

I was actually dragged to this film against my will by my wife since she is a huge Joey McIntyer fan. It was being shown at the Boston Independent Film Festival and I was handed a green slip before entering the theater to vote for the movie on a 1-5 scale, 1 being the lowest. I didn't know what to expect, I had no idea what this movie was about and I was fully prepared to hate it, but by 10 minutes into the movie I had already ripped a 5. The writing was amazing, it was well acted and full of humor and sorrow, running the full gambit of emotions. On Broadway is about a man named Jack (McIntyer) who's uncle dies and through the process of grief, he gets the idea to write a play. The man's family is against him, feeling that it is a crazy idea in the first place and that he should just leave writing plays to the professionals. Throughout the film he struggles to put the play together in the memory of his late uncle in hopes to break through to his father who hasn't been the same since he lost his leg in an accident when Jack was a young boy. No spoilers here because I want folks to seek this film out to find out how it ends. The cast was amazing, they were truly believable and often reminded me of people I have known in my life. My favorite character was Neil played by Lucas Caleb Rooney. He was a genuine character and his story of the smart-Aleck friend who falls for the actress who's way out of his league was beautiful. I urge theater owners to show this film and for theater goers to seek it out. This is a film for anyone who has had a dream they wanted to fulfill, for struggling writers, or someone who lost someone they loved.

On Broadway is the first film that I have seen that truly captures the intensity, rich tradition and beauty of Boston and its people.

It is a great story and it is incredibly believable. The shots of Boston are fantastic. There were so many moments that I smiled or laughed right out loud because the dialogue could easily have come from my own family, both past and present.

There were several scenes where the plot could have taken a turn towards something more risqué, violent or crude. But Dave McLaughlin did a fantastic job at implying intimacy and the tension that existed in the family without ever cheapening the film.

So many other film makers begin with a mediocre story and fill in the blanks with a bunch of "F'ing" this and "F'ing" that and as much sex as possible. He has an amazing story, great character development and he used "real" Boston shots.

Unlike so many other films set in Boston, all of the actors resisted the temptation to over emphasize the Boston accent. Again, it just felt natural.

The film portrays the city as physically beautiful, spirited and artistic. That's a far cry from the plethora of films in the past that portray us all as one dimensional drunken Red Sox loving/Yankee Hating jerks who can't "tawk" right. Don't get me wrong...the evil empire still must fall...but there's more to us than just that.

And contrary to what recent films would have you believe, we are not a bunch of gangsters or thugs. While those films may be entertaining, the story in On Broadway reminds us what loyalty, family and tradition really mean.

A great film that should not be missed.