White Irish Drinkers

Nick Thurston was brilliant as the young, struggling artist. However, it was the writing that made him, as well as the rest of the film so convincing. As an artist (and teacher of young artists), I was impressed with the authenticity of the dialog, the astonishingly beautiful art direction and all the skilled nuances that brought the Brian Leary character to life.It was a spellbinding, compassionate portrait of a creative soul as much as it was a gritty tale of coming of age. I also found the film visually compelling and powerful-which all points back brilliant writing. Kudos to John Gray. Not for nothing, the closing scenes and the powerful gifts of Stephen Lang were spectacularly effective. I can't remember the last time (if ever) a film made me stand up, cheer and pump my fit at the end! I do hope this film receives the broad audience and recognition it and its creators so richly deserve.

I graduated High School in 1976. I grew up in Bay Ridge/Sunset Park. I am Irish. My father was a drunk. My hobby is painting. The opening shots of the Bridge and then a pan of OLPH hit a cord with anyone who knows the area.

I wanted to like this movie a lot. It was brought down by a kind of predictable plot and predictable characters. It was brought up by some great (but uneven) acting and the way that Bay Ridge itself becomes a character in the film.

In a bigger movie, Karen Allen might have gotten an Oscar nod for her performance as a good-hearted, long-suffering, worn down Mother. Leslie Murphy totally nails her part as a Brooklyn girl. Less successful are the male leads. Steven Lang overplays the stereotype tough working class drunkard dad. Geoffrey Wigdor channeled a little too much Fonzie/Adam Dice Clay into his characterization of a Brooklyn Punk. Nick Thurston is endearing as a somewhat wide-eyed caught in a moment I can't get out of Catholic School boy wanna' be artist whose life is made difficult by the people around him for no real explainable reason. But he doesn't even try for a Brooklyn accent, and that strikes me as a little out of place.

But the bar/party scenes, the neighborhood, the stoops and corners are the authentic feel of Bay Ridge, although, in its entirety it is a much nicer more hopeful place than shown (although the 70's were it's low point). There are a lot of small moments in this movie that ring true. When Brian opens Danny's notebook that is a real punch in the gut. Two young guys sitting on a stoop talking...dead on Brooklyn, there. The idea that people would run naked through Greenwood Cemetery (one of the most famous busiest cemeteries in the country, which is crossed with roads) didn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

Overall, I would recommend this movie for the acting and the little things that it got right, although you have to overlook some senseless derivative plot elements to enjoy it.

There were times where this movie was a little bit predictable and a little bit slow, but I still liked it. I especially enjoyed the interaction between Danny and Shauna. It seemed both genuine and touching. Some of the other acting seemed a slightly wooden at times, but when viewed as a whole and not picked apart piece by piece it was still a good movie.

I was invited to an advanced screening of White Irish Drinkers with no expectations of the film, and I must say I was truly impressed.

From the acting of Steven Lang, who, as always - was extraordinary, to the under-appreciated Karen Allen in one of her best roles. And finally to Nick Thurston who delivered a strong, measured performance that anchors the story.

In addition, Seamus Tierney provided some exceptional cinematography shot on location in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn - rarely seen on film since Saturday Night Fever in 1977, which coincidentally is the roughly the year when Drinkers is set.

But it is the director/writer/producer John Gray who's long career of solid work has served him well in bringing this powerful story to life.

(I wanted to give 9.5 because almost nothing is a 10, but fractions are not allowed ...)

Invited by a friend of a friend, I saw a preview and was prepared to politely praise the film even if I didn't like it. But I was surprised. This film is sincere, unpretentious, extremely well written and well acted. The story captured my interest from beginning to end. High marks go to all of the actors -- Karen Allen, Peter Riegert, Nick Thurston at an existential crossroads, Geoffrey Wigdor as his older brother who is already lost to the streets, and especially Stephen Lang (the baddie from Avatar), a formidable actor who digs his fingers into your heart. I saw grown men in our audience surreptitiously wiping their eyes!

I don't know much about film-making, but I know what holds me. Whatever the makers did, they did right. Good luck!