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Summary: A magical family film that brings Ireland home....
Review: "Into the West" is an underrated jewel of Irish filmmaking that follows a rather unconventional storyline: a down-and-out father, Papa Reilly, (Gabriel Byrne), leads a miserable existence in a Dublin slum along with his two young sons. The poverty and bleakness is overwhelming and not what one would expect from a Disney film (which it is). Starving children sing on streetcorners for money, fathers drink away the welfare money, and education and sanitary conditions seem alien. This is not the Ireland of "The Quiet Man" or even "The Secret of Roan Inish." Papa Reilly is a traveller, or gypsy, although he has forsaken the old ways after his wife's death. His father-in-law tries to convince him in vain to return to the roads, but Reilly stands firm, insolently refusing all help. His two sons Tito and Ossie fall in love with a mysterious white horse that has followed their grandfather's caravan, and the two claim Tir na Nog as their own (but the horse had claimed them first). The lines between fantasy and reality are blurred, and this is not just a children's film, nor is it solely for an older audience. It is hybrid of mythology and magic much like "The Secret of Roan Inish," another Irish fairytale of a film that also dealt with magical animals (in that case seals). The rest of the movie requires suspension of disbelief, including several improbable chase scenes, but the heartwarming stories of the two boys coming to terms with their past (their mother's death, their father's alcoholism) and forging stronger bonds of brotherhood, and the grieving father and widower coming to terms with his loss and resolving to start a new life with his sons as the king of the travellers once more, truly make this a touching and unforgettable film. The scenery is beautiful, from the bleak, grey Dublin slums to the gently sloping western mountains, spectacular craggy cliffs and crashing seaspray. The soundtrack is a blend of Irish music old and new, with contributions from Black 47, the Rankin Family and Clannad. Patrick Doyle ("Shipwrecked") composed the score, which uses Irish instruments and haunting Irish Gaelic vocals to build atmosphere. There are several tense moments during action sequences which may prove frightening to younger children, but nothing overly objectionable in "Into The West." Younger children may find it a bit slow and hard to follow, but patience is truly a virtue in the case of this magical film.
Rating:
Summary: Into The West
Review: A movie to truly appreciate whether horse or Fantasy lover. Wonderful acting by the boys and the interaction between them and the horse was magical. The youngest brother Ossie had some true communication with the horse(s),so very small but able to settle a huge stallion with words and touch. A lesson for us all. The entire story was believable, captivating and very beautiful with Ireland as the setting and Tir Na nOG as the story.
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Summary: This is a wonderful film for all - not just the horse crazy
Review: I love this film. Although I originally rented it for my horse crazy daughter, I have watched it many times and always it makes me smile. It is a tale of Irish traveller boys who overcome all for the love of a horse and with a child-like, innocent sense of justice. There are sad parts, and scary parts and some teaching points regarding alcohol, loss, prejudice and acceptance. I highly recommend this film for the horse crazy and those who love a good tale presented well!
Rating:
Summary: This is a wonderful film for all - not just the horse crazy
Review: I love this film. Although I originally rented it for my horse crazy daughter, I have watched it many times and always it makes me smile. It is a tale of Irish traveller boys who overcome all for the love of a horse and with a child-like, innocent sense of justice. There are sad parts, and scary parts and some teaching points regarding alcohol, loss, prejudice and acceptance. I highly recommend this film for the horse crazy and those who love a good tale presented well!
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Summary: this is wicked
Review: I thought this movie was brilliant because I think the horse in the movie is lush and I love the little boys accent. i T GAVE YOU A REALLY GOOD INCITE INTO THE WAY PEOPLE IN Ireland lived in those days. T he effects were brilliant and the actors were great a truly heartmoving movie I have recomended it to everyone
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Summary: Great! Different, interesting, dramatic
Review: I watched this about 3 times with my English class for a review, and you appreciate it more each time. To begin with I didn't like it, the beginning was too difficult and complicated, but because we had to pick out favourite scene from it, we had to watch it closely several times. It was a good film with such a mixture of, I don't know, themes? I enjoyed, although the song "Let's go riding waay out west!" kept getting stuck in our heads! For my favourite scene I chose the end, although I did love the bit when Ossie said "Jesus, Mary and Joseph!" He's so cute! Anyone have any information on him or the film?
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Summary: A journey to Tir Na Nog
Review: In Irish mythology, Tir Na Nog is the home of eternal youth. Which is fitting, because "Into the West" is a movie for those of us who remain young-at-heart. That may sound cheesy, but my 6-year-old brother couldn't sit still long enough to pay attention the first time we watched this movie. My sister and myself, who were in our teens when it was first released on video, were completely captivated. In fact, the only thing remotely wrong w/ this movie is the way it was marketed when it hit theaters. The trailers didn't provide a clue as to what this film was about, or the magic it held. The 2 young boys are marvelous actors, and Gabriel Byrne is very good as their loving, if miserable father. The lyricism and fairytale quality to the film are spellbinding, and the ending may very well leave you tearing up. For a full evening of Irish folklore, watch this in a double-bill w/ "The Secret of Roan Inish."
Rating:
Summary: A journey to Tir Na Nog
Review: In Irish mythology, Tir Na Nog is the home of eternal youth. Which is fitting, because "Into the West" is a movie for those of us who remain young-at-heart. That may sound cheesy, but my 6-year-old brother couldn't sit still long enough to pay attention the first time we watched this movie. My sister and myself, who were in our teens when it was first released on video, were completely captivated. In fact, the only thing remotely wrong w/ this movie is the way it was marketed when it hit theaters. The trailers didn't provide a clue as to what this film was about, or the magic it held. The 2 young boys are marvelous actors, and Gabriel Byrne is very good as their loving, if miserable father. The lyricism and fairytale quality to the film are spellbinding, and the ending may very well leave you tearing up. For a full evening of Irish folklore, watch this in a double-bill w/ "The Secret of Roan Inish."
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Summary: An enchanting story that tugs at your heartstrings
Review: It is rare to see a movie of such depth and warmth. The cast does a superb job, especially the two little boys.Although there are some sad parts, they are balanced by comic parts in a thoroughly delightful way. A welcome change from the sex-oriented junk we are usually fed. Don't miss it!!
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Summary: A film between myth and reality
Review: Someone, I've forgotten who, was reported to have reacted to the death of President Kennedy with the words "To be Irish is to know that the world will break your heart." This is true, but it is also true that to be Irish is to know that the world is not always as it seems. This is a story which resonates with both sentiments. The harsh contrast between the fantasy worlds of cowboys and Indians and Celtic mythology and the heartbreaking ugliness of life in council-house Dublin, the greed which can arise in the new "Celtic Tiger" Ireland and even the friendly but harsh life of the travellers make this tale of two small boys and their father and the effect on them of a white horse resound with mythic overtones. This truly beautiful horse belongs to the realm of Celtic myth, a classic example of a shape-changer, in this case very benign. That the horse is more than it seems is delicately conveyed by clever camera shots as well as by the storyline. If you fell in love with "The Secret of Roan Inish" you will probably like this, I certainly did.
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