Eliciting fine performances from an unknown cast, as most of these actors were when the film was made in 1997, is challenging, yet I found that most of the performances in this low-budget excellently directed independent feature film were uniformly outstanding! Brad Pagano who I understand never acted before, gives a very moving performance as Irish-American Michael, a bigoted alcoholic corrupt politician hitting bottom, trying to prevent his son from repeating his mistakes, and trying to make amends to his long suffering wife Brenda (excellently acted by Rebecca Clemons) when it's really almost too late; I say almost because I sensed that they still love each other beneath the layers of pain, and somehow we get a feeling that they may back together even though the split is very definitive in the film. For a film that explores such dark family relationship issues - effects an alcoholic has on his family, and a devout Catholic woman seeking liberty from a 25 year abusive marriage by breaking away from her religious values, the film is surprisingly amusing and at times bitterly funny as my wife and I found ourselves laughing, especially as the bigot dares utter outrageous Archie Bunker style phrases, i.e., calling his brother's black fiancée "Shaka Zulu's daughter". Over all, I and my wife - who was riveted by this "chick-flick" that can actually be shared and enjoyed by males as well, loved it, story, characters...shot very realistically in 35mm film (rare these days for indie films), almost in documentary style, with one great long scene pitting the women in the family against each other, shot almost entirely with a hand held camera, giving us an urgent being there feeling, as though we're eavesdropping on the characters and their secret conflicts being exposed for the first time perhaps. The film features a terrific performance by Vince De Pasquele (aka Vince Duval, a young Robert De Niro lookalike) playing a tormented Viet Nam veteran whose black fiancée had helped heal and is now on the spiritual path having gotten over his addictions. The great Celtic rock band The Young Dubliners perform rousing Irish rebel music during the finale wedding scene, leaving us with the hope that despite the hardships in all family relationships, there is always the possibility for forgiveness, redemption, and a new start when facilitated by love.
Review of Irish Whiskey
