Main Cast: Ned Beatty, Adrian Dunbar, David McCallum, Tara Fitzgerald, Shirley Ann Field
Release Year: 1991
Country: UK/IE
Run Time: 104 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
The owner of a British nightclub attempts to do the impossible by coaxing a legendary Irish tenor out of retirement for a once-in-a-lifetime show in this engagingly quirky comedy. The owner, Mickey O'Neill, is particularly desperate to land a performance by the great Josef Locke, as his already questionable reputation was ruined when he booked an impostor claiming to be Locke. Now only providing a show by the real thing can make up for it. Trouble is, Locke fled England several decades before to avoid charges of tax evasion, and would face immediate arrest upon his return. Naturally, the comedy emerges from O'Neill's desperate attempts to convince Locke to participate in the scheme. Much of the film's charm comes from the presentation of eccentric but believable characters, particularly Locke himself -- a real historical figure given warm life by Ned Beatty, who was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for his performance. The film as a whole manages a similar balancing act between realism and comic fantasy, grounding even the less believable aspect of the narrative in strongly observed local color. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
Review
A quirky, thoroughly enjoyable comedy, Hear My Song is a small film with a huge soul. Managing to avoid most of the condescending sentiment that characterizes other films about small-town Irish folk, the film comes off instead as a likeable, witty portrait of local color, broken dreams, and desperate ambition. Its two greatest strengths are its script, co-written by director Peter Chelsom and star Adrian Dunbar, and Ned Beatty's sterling performance as tenor-on-the-lam Josef Locke. By turns sweet and swaggering, Beatty gives a robust, charismatic performance and proves himself every inch an unlikely romantic lead. His portrayal of Locke reflects the film's overall appeal: ballsy yet bashful, Hear My Song resounds with the surprising charm of a valentine written by a dissolute but loveable con artist. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
William Hootkins - Mr. X; James Nesbitt - Fintan O'Donnell; Terry Adams - Dressmaker; David Beggs - 3rd Taxi Driver; Harold Berens - Benny Rose; Agnes Bernelle - Receptionist; Maurice Blake - Jo's Boy; Jean Blanchflower - Ronnie's Mum; Paddy Cole - Jo's Boy; Ruaidhri Conroy - Grandson Ryan; Constance Cowley - Nurse; Joe Cuddy - Franc Cinatra; John Dair - Derek; Brian Flanagan - Young Micky O'Neill; Aidan Grenell - Compere; Brian Hoey - Mr. X; Frank Kelly - 2nd Taxi Driver; Phil Kelly - Ronnie Lavelle; Jimmy Keogh - Jo's Boy; Tommy Lack - Old Musician; Pat Laffan - 1st Taxi Driver; Mary McLeod - Librarian; Anna Manahan - Mrs. McGlinchy; Stephen Marcus - Gordon; Bill Maynard - Barry Haden; Brian McGrath - Barman; Donna McReady - Young Cathleen; Vernon Midgley - Josef Locke; Bal Moane - Brewery Man; Jim Mooney - Drunk in Pub; Tony Morando - Jo's Boy; Laurie Morton - Molly; Gina Moxley - Brenda Ryan; Marie Mullen - Micky's Mum; Terry David Mulligan - Young Jo; Liam O'Callaghan - Jo's Boy; Terence Orr - Receiver; Gladys Sheehan - Grandma Ryan; Britta Smith - Kitty Ryan; Norman Vaughan - Himself; John Neville Rufus Altman - Oscar Harrison
Credit
Katharine Naylor - Art Director, Lindy Hemming - Costume Designer, Peter Chelsom - Director, Martin Walsh - Editor, John Altman - Composer (Music Score), Caroline Hanania - Production Designer, Sue Gibson - Cinematographer, David Brown - Producer, John Paul Chapple - Producer, Simon Fields - Producer, Alison Owen - Producer, Russ Russell - Producer, Graham Bradstreet - Producer, Peter Lindsay - Sound/Sound Designer, Peter Chelsom - Screenwriter, Adrian Dunbar - Screenwriter
