Podcast: Play in new window
Book Vs Movie
The Commitments
The First of Roddy Doyle’s “The Barrytown” Trilogy Starts Off on a Rockin’ Beat
How much soul do you have? You may be filling to the brim with it after this latest episode of Book Vs. Movie talking about the 1987 Roddy Doyle novel, The Commitments and the 1991 Alan Parker-directed film which brought soul music back on the charts in the early 90s.
Not everyone knows that The Commitments is a part of a series of books set in the 1980s/1990s in Dublin, Ireland. This particular story is about a group of young adults who form a band to brighten their dreary lives in “The Barrytown.” (After this, Doyle wrote The Snapper and The Van as part of the trilogy.)
The Margos go into the background of Doyle who is one of Ireland’s most successful and celebrated authors. Then they talk about the well-received movie featuring a cast on unknown actors and a soundtrack that become an early 90s staple at parties.
So between the novel and the movie–which did we like better? Click the link at the bottom to find out.
In this ep the Margos discuss:
- Roddy Doyle’s literary achievements
- The cast of The Commitments including Robert Arkins (Jimmy Rabbitte,) Angeline Ball (Imelda Quirke,) Michael Aherne (Steven Clifford,) Maria Doyle Kennedy (Natalie Murphy,) Bronagh Gallagher (Bernie McGloughlin,) Glen Hansard (Outspan Foster,) Johnny Murphy (Joey “The Lips” Fagan,) Andrew Strong (Deco Cuffe,) and Colm Meany (Mr. Rabbitte.)
- Our favorite scenes and songs in the movie
Clips Featured:
- The Commitments trailer
- Jimmy meets Joey Fagan
- The Commitments play their last gig
- Jimmy explains why Dublin needs soul music
- Outro music Treat Her Right by The Commitments
