On Broadway

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.

It never ceases to amaze me how different people are so different - how anyone could watch this film and say 'its not great' is just beyond me. The story was written by someone who has lived it, and will immediately be recognised by those who have travelled that path. In reading the reviews so far you could be forgiven for thinking that the story was about families, about Boston, about father and son reconciliation (and maybe it is and its me who missed the point). It spoke to me, however, about the leap of faith, the courage and the determination an ordinary mortal needs to become a writer, and how, for a story to be anything more than a fleeting moment among neurons, the writer must become a magnet for good people to join him/her - a messiah of sorts.

There were moments in the film that felt like the final rehearsal before the scene should be shot (when Pete and wife have their first argument springs to mind), but to me that lack of Hollywood gloss just made the whole thing even more real.

If you have anything to do with story-telling, or you have aspirations in that direction, then you will not just enjoy this film, you will benefit from it.

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 offers you something you don't find outside of the world of cartoons - a movie you can bring your children to, where you'll share a joke with them, but it definitely give you something to talk about after. It is a movie about family, about needing to talk, wanting to give voice to, of wanting and needing to connect. It deals with loss, with setbacks and with redemption. And it does all this with a steady undercurrent of humor.

The timing of the humor is dead on - a task that is more difficult than you think. We've all suffered through books that promise humor or movies that are suppose to be hilarious - On Broadway's humor is subtle at times and sometimes very direct but it doesn't miss a beat. The old adage it is better to laugh than to cry is captured succinctly in this movie. It brings to mind My Big Fat Greek Wedding in the sense, that families and traditions are funny, but what is most endearing is how you suffer through them.

It is not a glossy presentation - it is filmed more in the tradition of you being right there in the room with them, the camera angles can be close, ajar. The lighting and texture grainy, but that's what makes you realize that you are not sitting on your couch watching a polished sitcom, you are watching life.

For me it was the humor of the piece and the sincerity of the intent of the protagonist that worked its magic.

McLaughlin has assembled a talented cast to tell the tale of a family and a dream. Arnett practically steals the show. McIntyre is good as is Dushku; you never question their characters believability. Flint lacks a bit (from my point of view) but my husband and his friends - yes all male - thought she was great and very believable, ah the male perspective. Poehler in her cameo was wonderful; Lawler too also wonderful. Vincent Dowling wonderful. There are many supporting characters or cameo characters - McIntyre's sister Judy actually has a small role but is great at execution - again an example of the humor hitting the right note. O'Malley, Greene and Wahlberg could have given a bit more, at times they are a little flat, but they are by no means lacking in their commitment. Lucas Caleb Rooney, although a stereotype of sorts (isn't everyone in a play, movie or book a stereotype?) plays his part well. The actress that plays McIntyre's mother, also nails her pieces with such Irish ferocity that you don't question she is indeed an Irish mother.

On Broadway is a wonderful movie about family and connections. It celebrates the Boston Irish but it more importantly, it celebrates the trials, tribulations and jubilation that is LIFE. Go see it, you'll feel good afterward, I promise.

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.