The Commitments

A Favourite Movie

The Commitments is one of my all time favourite, music based films.

It is not a musical, as such, in that the cast do not burst into song as they go about their everyday business but rather it is a film about the formation of a band and its fight for success.

Set in Ireland, this 1991 film is entertaining, funny, quirky and includes some terrific music and great performances.

Directed by Alan Parker this movie is entertainment at its best.

About The CommitmentsIn ShortThe Oscar nominated movie The Commitments follows the formation of a fictional, new Irish band. With some very funny auditions a final line-up is at last in place and the Commitments band is born.

More about this MovieThis movie is based on the novel The Commitments which is written by Irish author, Roddy Doyle, and was published in 1987. The script for the film had additional input by famous British comedy script writing duo Dick Clement and Ian la Frenais. Scriptwriters Clement and La Frenais were the funny brains behind many British comedy series including Porridge, Auf Wiedersehen Pet and The Likely Lads. The pair also worked on films such as Flushed Away.

For me some of the funniest scenes in the film are the auditions near the start of the movie take place in a front room of a house and vary from the sublime to the hilarious.

However there is other comedy throughout this movie.

Once the band members are chosen the movie follows their journey to success.

From a rag tag group of mismatched talents they progress to be a worthy Irish band.

With female band members who not only look good but sound great, an elder band member who offers talent and knowledge and younger band members who have the necessary enthusiasm surely they will be a success?

The Commitments is a bumpy, entertaining ride of a film with glorious bluesy music along the way.

When released it was a breath of fresh air - down to earth, brash, funny and youthful yet a movie with cross age appeal.

Many of the young cast were relatively unknown when this film was released and some have pretty much stayed that way.

The lead singer in the band played by Andrew Strong had some music success with a recording career on the back of this movie but ultimately it was a poisoned chalice.

Andrew Strong was aged just 16/17 when this film was released, though his earthy, blues based voice sounded far more mature.

In 2016 Strong said “The Commitments was something of an albatross around my neck in my younger days because it pigeon-holed me as a soul singer.”
He was tied to the tracks of the film for too long but now almost in middle-age he has found musical success in his own right.

Tracks from the movie include:-

1. Mustang Sally
2. Take Me to the River
3. Chain of Fools
4. Dark End of the Street
5. I can't stand the Rain
6. Try a little Tenderness
7. Mr Pitiful
8. In the Midnight Hour

Cast includes:-

Robert Arkins, Andrew Strong, Angelina Ball, Dick Massey Michael Aherne and Johnny Murphy.

The Commitments is available on D.V.D. or you can buy the soundtrack on C.D. if you prefer.

The book not only spawned a film but a theatre production which has also proved popular.

If you have never watched the Commitments why not check it out?

Your viewing experience will be better if you love soulful music but this movie has a lot to other in other ways.

This film is not suitable for children as it features some expletives and adult scenes.

Recommended as a very funny film, with great music, for me The Commitments is the best Irish film to date.