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James McAvoy, Steven Robertson, Romola Garai, Gerard McSorley, Tom Hickey ... see more see more... , Brenda Fricker , Stanley Townsend

Two guys facing more challenges than most people learn some valuable lessons about life and love in this comedy drama. Michael Connolly (Steven Robertson) is a young man in his early twenties who suff... read more read more...ers from cerebral palsy; confined to a wheelchair, Michael's speech is unintelligible to all but a handful of people, and his situation has made him shy and withdrawn as he spends his days at a home for the disabled in Dublin. One day, a new arrival moves in at the home -- Rory O'Shea (James McAvoy), a lad about Michael's age who suffers from muscular dystrophy and can only use two fingers on one hand. This, however, hasn't stopped Rory from developing a sharp tongue, a quick wit, a taste for alcohol, and the courage to put the moves on any women who crosses his path. Rory can also understand Michael's attempts at speech, and Rory puts his outsized personality to work encouraging his new friend to become more outgoing and not to let life pass him by, despite his handicaps. In time, Rory and Michael are able to convince Eileen (Brenda Fricker), director of the home, that they should be allowed to get an apartment on their own, and the boys use their stipend to rent a flat and hire an assistant to help with the tasks they can't manage. Rory chooses Siobhan (Romola Garai) for the job, mainly because she's blonde and pretty, and she soon becomes attracted to him; unfortunately, Michael has fallen in love with her, and this leads to a major rift between him and Rory that drives them apart. Screened in the United Kingdom as Inside I'm Dancing and in the United States as Rory O'Shea Was Here, the film won the Audience Award at the 2004 Edinburgh Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

87% liked it

8,398 ratings

Critics

49% liked it

69 critics

R, 1 min.

Directed by: Damien O'Donnell

Release Date: February 4, 2005

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DVD Release Date: June 14, 2005

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Stats: 851 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (851)

  • Tomassgringo
    December 18, 2010
    Tomassgringo
    Since I am disabled I do not feel as guilty rating this movie on the low end. It was predictable and little new to the plight of the disabled was offered. The sweet story at the heart of this film is lost in the "look at me act" disabled. Steven Robertson does and excellent jo... read moreb.... but I get tired and frustrated with him as I try to understand his character. Tired to the point of losing interest.
  • hunterjt13
    November 13, 2010
    hunterjt13
    On one hand, I think I should be cynical about this film: suggest it is emotionally manipulative and functions on the "strength" of its cliches. After all, it features two men with severe disabilities and attempts to prove the thesis that we should all carpe diem. These are not... read more new themes, nor is it new to have an inspirational cripple story. On the other hand, I was thoroughly impressed by McAvoy's and Robertson's performances. Both were exceptionally convincing in their characters and their characters' disabilities (Robertson especially), and Garai turned the role of "the girl" into a sweet but tough feminist. But these are tangential to the fact that all of emotional manipulation worked on me. I found myself affected by the story even as I realized its cliche predictability. Rory O'Shea Was Here is like a one night stand: it doesn't amount to much the next morning, but the "during" sure was enjoyable.
  • LWOODS04
    June 20, 2010
    LWOODS04
    CAST: James McAvoy, Steven Robertson, Romola Garai, Brenda Fricker, Gerard McSorley, Tom Hickey

    DIRECTED BY: Damien O'Donnell

    SUMMARY: When Rory O'Shea (James McAvoy) moves into a home for the disabled with a diagnosis of muscular dystrophy and befriends a deeply bored youn... read moreg man with cerebral palsy (Steven Robertson), he infuses his pal's life with renewed hope, even as he struggles with his own demons. O'Shea refuses to surrender to the desperation of his life, choosing instead to embrace the potential in everyday opportunities. Romola Garai co-stars in this uplifting drama.

    MY THOUGHTS: "Probably now my favorite James McAvoy movie. It was funny, heartwarming, and inspiring. The story is strong and you really start caring for the two lead characters. The acting is superb. Rory has muscular dystrophy and not much time left in this world. He's determined to make every moment of it enjoyable. He rebels against his disease and everything they say is impossible for him to do. He refuses to not live. That's so inspiring. He becomes fast friends with Michael. Michael has cerebral palsy and has lived in an institution his whole life. He's never dreamed of a life outside of the institution, but on a trip to a meeting Rory has to be granted independent living inspires Michael to want the same. It's unbelievably sad that the disabled have to ask permission to live freely like others their age, when the rest of us take that freedom for granted. This isn't just a movie about two disabled guys. Its a look at a piece of their lives and their fight for independence and the fun they have along the way. I loved it. For those who aren't interested you should give it a chance. Great film.."
  • SirPant
    September 24, 2009
    SirPant
    A sweet film with some good performances. It succeeds because It doesn?t get too sentimental or preachy.
  • dreamfaeries
    August 23, 2009
    dreamfaeries
    Movie of hope and accomplishment.
  • 76Majikat
    May 17, 2009
    76Majikat
    A theme that?s very rarely portrayed as natural as this film was able to, it dealt with the issue in hand in a realistic manner; whilst keeping a realistic sense of humour too, the extremities of the emotions allowed the storyline to flip in a moment?s notice, which created good ... read moreDrama.

    Brilliant performances from all envolved, James McAvoy?s character was truly infectious and really brought the rebel side out of the story and with regards to Steven Robinson, well I was just reminded of the great Daniel Day Lewis?s portrayal of Christie Brown in My Left Foot (co-incidence both films had Brenda Fricker in them??).

    I have personal links to the theme of this film, but have rated it according to the film and not my personal feelings. This is life in the real world, with tears and laughter thrown in for realistic measure.
  • FilmFanatik
    January 17, 2009
    FilmFanatik
    Rory O'Shea Was Here was quite a surprise indeed. Two friends both with debilitating diseases find each other, become dependant on each other and then by the end of the film, independent of each other. The story itself is engaging and interesting and the performances are all ar... read moreound terrific. The script at times can feel cliche'd and over-simplified, but it carries a lot of heart and doesn't let itself down. The cinematography is very pretty, but simple. At times, camera moves are lost in the story, which is a very good thing. The score is simple, as well. It doesn't really get out of control and show itself off, but it holds the emotion of the story, which is important. All in all, a very good movie, touching, light-hearted and interesting.
  • crossbladezero
    June 3, 2011
    crossbladezero
    Is a disability joke too tacky here? I may as well, no one's heard of this movie, so they won't get it anyways. The film is crippled by a lack of development, slow spots and some abrupt major events. Of course, the film's biggest flaws are the predictability and sentimentality. T... read morehe dramatic aspects are cliche and feel almost as corny and manipulative as this paragraph feels forced. Probably the worst thing about it is that it got darker and more manipulative until the bit emotional ending came and left me a bit depressed.

    Still, the film is supported by fine dialogue and strong characters. Also, something worth discussing is the film's being pretty dang funny. Now, I'm not saying that disabilities are funny, but they are. No, I'm kidding. Of course that's a deal of the humor in this, but it doesn't feel offensive, mostly because it's balanced out by the snappy writing, fine timing and sharp delivery behind it. Of course, if this isn't your humor, then in the immortals words of the great Co-Host 3000: "Don't tell me your problems."

    Of course, what are very likely the brightest stars on the pros list are, well, the stars. Steven Robertson gives us a moving and reasonably authentic potrayal of a cerebral palsy patient and doesn't go too far over-the-top, a very real and easy-to-make mistake when taking on a role like this. Granted, it's not a Leonardo DiCaprio in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" caliber of disability acting, but what is? Boy, after that movie, I don't think I'll ever see a mental disability movie ever again without comparing. Yeah, like I don't talk about DiCaprio enough. Of course, you can expect to see a lot of James McAvoy for being such a fine, notable actor, particularly in here. He's so careful to not break the illusion that he is mostly paralyzed and does an incredible and believeable job at transitioning between his fun-loving, cool-guy personality and his suffering from his situation.

    All that remains is but one question: "What title for this movie am I going with?" I'm gonna say "Rory O'Shea Was Here" because this movie is manipulative enough without the title "Inside I'm Dancing". We get it, you're fortunate on the inside. But seriously though, "Rory O'Shea Was Here" may be predictable and likely to leave you a bit down in the dumps, but is carried by its snappy writing and remarkable performances and is ultimately a pretty decent portrait of uncovering happiness beneath misfortune.
  • DuncanRR
    March 26, 2008
    DuncanRR
    I love this movie... it's been awhile since I've seen it, though, so I'll need to watch it again before I launch into the official review...
  • mvieaddict
    February 25, 2010
    mvieaddict
    The Irish movie, Inside I am dancing was just a brilliant moving picture about two disabled guy who in a short period of time build up a friendship. The plot revolved around a wheelchair guy Micheal who has lived his entire life in a disable care-house. He could not move his hand... read mores perfectly and his speaking was not understandable.Then came Rory, played by James McAvoy, a rebellious young guy whose body was almost paralyzed but he could speak normally. A truly beautiful movie that nearly broke my heart, with excellent acting from the two lead roles that perfectly portray the attitudes and emotions of disabled people.

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Critic Reviews

Steven Rea
February 24, 2005
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

It addresses the essential human need for dignity, for freedom, for mastery over one's life.

Liam Lacey
February 19, 2005
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

The script, despite doses of irreverent humour, feels manipulative... Full Review

Roger Ebert
February 18, 2005
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Funny and moving, and more entertaining than some of the movies you are considering this weekend. Full Review

Teresa Wiltz
February 18, 2005
Teresa Wiltz, Washington Post

For all its noble intentions and vigorous performances, never transcends the claustrophobic character study. Full Review

Ruthe Stein
February 18, 2005
Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle

Sweet and deeply moving. Full Review

Geoff Pevere
February 18, 2005
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star

By all outward appearance and promotional literature, this movie wishes to depict the lives of seriously handicapped people in as real and accurate a way as possible. So why does it resort to some of ... Full Review

James Berardinelli
February 17, 2005
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

As a feel-good movie about disabled youths, Rory O'Shea Was Here gets the job done, but it isn't interesting or daring enough to make it worth a trip to a theater. Full Review

Desson Thomson
February 17, 2005
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Sentimentality and gloom are treated with appropriate, if often unprintable, contempt. Full Review

Allison Benedikt
February 17, 2005
Allison Benedikt, Chicago Tribune

Director Damien O'Donnell and screenwriter Jeffrey Caine faithfully adhere to the bylaws of melodrama and quickly plunge us from triumph to tragedy. Full Review

Jan Stuart
February 4, 2005
Jan Stuart, Newsday

Writer Jeffrey Caine and director Damien O'Donnell all but cut out our vital organ with moments of hard-sell poignancy. Full Review

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