I may be alone in this but I see movies for one of two reasons: I'm trying to learn and grow through the experiences of others or I am trying to escape from the real world for a little while and be entertained. 'Dancing at Lughnasa' is a poetic ode to ... well thematically it suggests that life is full of very brief but powerful moments of happiness. Seek out those moments and wring as much joy out of them as you can. Then basically you should enjoy the memories because life, according the film, is a crescendo of misery and tragedy that will destroy every good thing in it. If this sounds like the movie for you, be my guest. It falls quite neatly into the 'glad I saw it; happier never to see it again' category.
There are great performances from all of the leads in this film. Meryl Streep turns in yet another great performance as the oldest of five sisters who is trying desperately to keep her family together. Michael Gambon gives an inspired performance as a damaged brother who returns to Ireland after 25 years as a missionary in Uganda. The interplay between all of the characters is wonderful, and from a technical standpoint I thought that the film was very well shot and directed.
As depressing and as inevitable as the conclusion is, the story is very engaging and kept me hooked from start to finish. Overall not really my cup of tea but if, to paraphrase Hobbes, you like to be reminded that life is 'nasty, brutish and short' than this is the film for you. probably good to watch if you feel like being reminded of your own little miseries or, on the other hand, if you delight in seeing that others are much worse off than you.
There are great performances from all of the leads in this film. Meryl Streep turns in yet another great performance as the oldest of five sisters who is trying desperately to keep her family together. Michael Gambon gives an inspired performance as a damaged brother who returns to Ireland after 25 years as a missionary in Uganda. The interplay between all of the characters is wonderful, and from a technical standpoint I thought that the film was very well shot and directed.
As depressing and as inevitable as the conclusion is, the story is very engaging and kept me hooked from start to finish. Overall not really my cup of tea but if, to paraphrase Hobbes, you like to be reminded that life is 'nasty, brutish and short' than this is the film for you. probably good to watch if you feel like being reminded of your own little miseries or, on the other hand, if you delight in seeing that others are much worse off than you.