The Boys and Girls from County Clare is a film directed by John Irvin, which tells the story of two traditional Irish music groups competing in a national Celtic music competition… The program features excellent music, a lively atmosphere and a light-hearted, friendly sense of humor that inevitably puts you in a good mood!
Jimmy McMahon is a 60-year-old Irish musician with a passion for Irish music. Although a little gruff, he’s well liked by everyone and lives in a quiet little town in County Clare, where he plays traditional Irish music with a passion, alongside his band…
He learns of a major Celtic music competition and sees it as a great opportunity to undercut his long-time rival, himself a member of an opposing band and a formidable musician…
Jimmy McMahon decides to enter his traditional Irish music group in the competition and beat his opponent once and for all…
But the challenge is huge, and will not be without its pitfalls… Especially with the clique of musicians that make up his band, the financial problems involved in taking all these little people to the competition, the musical talent of each one, not always up to scratch, the family stories and other personal rivalries that are sure to add to the challenge set by old Jimmy McMahon!
Director John Irvin doesn’t pull any punches with The Boys and Girls from County Clare. A simple, musical story, coupled with family histories and musical rivalries, made for a rather light and pleasant film, ideal for moments of relaxation…
The result is quite successful, and a pleasant time is had by all. All the ingredients are there to plunge you into the heart of an authentic (if sometimes caricatured) Ireland: the music is excellent, and the colorful characters are rather endearing… It’s also humorous, and there’s never a dull moment in the film.
The actors’ performances are rather touching, and Colm Meaney, Bernard Hill, Shaun Evans and Andrea Corr (from the Corrs) offer viewers a very sympathetic, light-hearted story, which won’t go down in the annals of history, however…
4.51/5 (211 votes)
4.00/5 (1 votes)
