Ameriatch One of the best films i have seen

TrueHello Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

Catangro After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

Ava-Grace Willis Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

wes-connors In 1953 Dublin, Ireland, unemployed "painter and decorator" Pierce Brosnan (as Desmond Doyle) makes Christmas happy for his poor family of four. The new year is tragic, however, as Mr. Brosnan's wife mysteriously runs away with another man. Even worse, child protective services take Brosnan's children away and place them in Catholic-run orphanages. According to the Irish "Children's Act", parents who split up for reasons other than death have no right to raise their children. Authorities also take note of Brosnan's unemployment and excessive drinking. The situation seems hopeless, however...The point-of-view switches strangely to one of the children taken from their father, angelic scene-stealer Sophie Vavasseur (as Evelyn). The title role-player, she is irresistibly heart-tugging. However...Based on a true story, some of this well-produced drama has some difficulties, however. With his perfectly shaved (all around his neck) hairstyle and looks, it's hard to believe Brosnan as a scruffy Irish drunkard; he is charming. Brosnan is noticed by bartender Julianna Margulies (as Bernadette Beattie), who acts appropriately. She leads him to defense lawyer Aidan Quinn (as Nicholas "Nick" Barron), brotherly assistant Stephen Rea (as Michael Beattie) and alcoholic consultant Alan Bates (as Thomas "Tom" Connolly); they are an appropriately mannered "dream team" of lawyers; all act their parts.***** Evelyn (9/9/02) Bruce Beresford ~ Pierce Brosnan, Aidan Quinn, Sophie Vavasseur, Alan Bates

predator_silver77 The Plot: From the director of Driving Miss daisy comes this compelling, heartwarming and inspiring true story of a father (Pierce Brosnan) who faces impossible odds to keep his family together. Times are tough in Dublin, Ireland. But no one has it tougher than Desmond Doyle when his wife runs off and his beloved daughter Evelyn and two young sons are sent to an orphanage by the government. Enlisting the help of loyal friends (Julianna Margulies, Stephen Rea) and a feisty American lawyer (Aidan Quinn), he takes his case to Ireland's Supreme court in a history-making quest to topple an ironclad law...and win back custody of his children! My Spiel: This is truly a touching movie. I remember renting it on a whim. At a time when Pierce Brosnan was big in the 007 scene, he managed to spit this one of a kind great movie out. Granted I am a fan of some of his 007 work. But this was a step above all that, the story is great, the actors play it perfectly. But the only down side is that you can't watch this over and over. It's a joyful movie but for some reason it's not a movie I feel I can truly watch again and again. It's more of a once viewing in 2 months period. But that doesn't in the lest say this is a bad movie, it's a great movie "heck I should know, I bought it". Based on a true story and a true quest to find was is truly important in one mans life (A great feel good movie). If you think Perce Brosnan is only fit for the 007 action pack movies, just watch this you are sure to be surprised! Evelyn (2002) Review: 8/10

nycritic Based on the true story of a man who contested the Supreme Court in 1950s Ireland as he fought to gain complete custody of his children, EVELYN is a departure for Pierce Brosnan. Known for his television work in "Remington Steele" and for his movie appearances as James Bond, he's come to symbolize suave sophistication and any woman's ultimate romantic icon.With this movie, Brosnan attempts to go against type. He succeeds to a degree, because for the entire movie, all one can see is Brosnan with an Irish accent, playing a sweet hard working Irishman who has that Irish temper that flares in one inopportune (but justifiable) moment and will come to bite him later on via a cartoon vengeful nun. Note the mention of the word Irish: it's for a reason. I felt as though I was being hammered with it, it's as if the movie wanted to make sure I knew just where EVELYN was taking place.EVELYN has another big problem. Several siblings get separated after they are taken away from Brosnan's Desmond Doyle, but the story chooses, for inexplicable reasons, to focus on the Dickensian experiences of the daughter -- who grants the movie its title -- who meets the aforementioned cartoon nasty nun who seems all too eager to enforce her discipline.Also, even at its 90 minutes it seems just a tad long and a shade too manipulative for me to really feel the story. A moment when young Sophie Vavausseur as Evelyn has to testify her case against the prosecution does feel real, and has a quiet mysticism about it. Other than that, much of what happens in the movie has a perfunctory element to it. The inclusion of actors Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea, Alan Bates, and Julianna Margulies brings little relevance. KRAMER VS. KRAMER, Irish-style.

bitter_old_dude Oh my gosh, this one is just awful. It's one of those movies where, after you've watched it, and spit up whatever you just ate, you have to say, "Why did all these quality people agree to appear in this pitiful movie?" Aiden Quinn sleep-walks through it, at least Alan Bates (who has sadly gotten old; I kept thinking about 'An Unmarrried Woman' through all his scenes)gets to have a little fun, but Juliana Margulies? Has there ever been a less appealing role for a somewhat talented actress? Pierce Brosnan is sure good looking. He can't sing. Ireland is pretty. And that's not enough to float this pitiful little flick, unless you love child actresses who chew scenery, and a screenplay that'll make you spew sugar tablets.