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Robert Arkins, Michael Aherne, Angeline Ball, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Dave Finnegan ... see more see more... , Johnny Murphy , Andrew Strong , Bronagh Gallagher , Felim Gormley , Glen Hansard , Kenneth McCluskey , Colm Meaney , Jezz Bell , John Michael Bolger , Philip Bredin , Paul Bushnell , Jody Campbell , Liam Carney , Gerard Cassoni , Andrea Corr , Jim Corr , Lance Daly , Emily Dawson , Winston Dennis , Phelim Drew , Derek Duggan , Lindsay Fairclough , Ruth Fairclough , Sheila Flitton , Patrick Foy , Ronan Hardiman , Kristel Harris , Derek Herbert , Larry Hogan , Sean Hughes , Philomena Kavanagh , Bernard Keelan , Anne Kent , Aoife Lawless , Pat Leavy , Josylen Lyons , Brian Mac Aodha , Colm Mac Con Iomaire , Eanna Mac Liam , Conor Malone , Dick Massey , Mikel Murfi , Bob Navan , Mick Nolan , Eamon O'Connor , Paddy O'Connor , Owen O'Gorman , Rynagh O'Grady , Maura O'Malley , Mark O'Regan , Michael O'Reilly , Maria Place , Eileen Reid , Peter Rowen , Ger Ryan , Blaise Smith , Tricia Smith , Canice William , Alan Parker , Ros Hubbard , Dave Kane , Alan Murray , John Cronin , John Hubbard

"The Irish are the blacks of Europe, Dubliners are the blacks of Ireland, and the North Siders are the blacks of Dublin ... so say it loud -- I'm black and I'm proud!" Or so Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Ark... read more read more...ins) tells his slightly puzzled friends as he tries to assemble a rhythm & blues show band in a working class community in Dublin in Alan Parker's film The Commitments. Jimmy is a would-be music business wheeler and dealer, and he's decided what Dublin needs is a top-shelf soul band. However, top-shelf soul musicians are hard to find in Dublin, so he has to make do with what he can find. However, after a long round of auditions, Jimmy makes two inspired discoveries: Deco (Andrew Strong), an abrasive and alcoholic streetcar conductor who nevertheless has a voice like the risen ghost of Otis Redding, and Joey "The Lips" Fagan (Johnny Murphy), a horn player who knows soul music backwards and forwards and claims to have played with everyone from Wilson Pickett to Elvis Presley. Before long, the band -- called the Commitments -- is packing them in at local clubs. But do they have what it takes to make the big time? Based on the novel by Roddy Doyle, who also co-wrote the screenplay, The Commitments is sparked by fine performances by its young cast and enthusiastic performances of a number of '60s soul classics; the cast, who play their own instruments, reassembled the band for a concert tour after the film became a hit. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

87% liked it

27,235 ratings

Critics

88% liked it

40 critics

R, 1 hr. 56 min.

Directed by: Alan Parker

Release Date: August 14, 1991

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DVD Release Date: November 2, 1999

Stats: 1,450 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,450)

  • 76Majikat
    July 21, 2011
    76Majikat
    A story documenting the rise and fall of the band The Commitments. With enjoyable vocals and those well known songs, this film makes for an easy watching tongue in cheek piece.

    In a seperate issue, I can't help thinking this discredits the film ONCE ever so slightly I had tho... read moreught their performances were really good, I hadn't known Glen Hansard had already appeared in this film.
  • hunterjt13
    October 31, 2010
    hunterjt13
    In the tradition of Waking Ned Devine and The Full Monty, this is a delightful, optimistic ensemble piece from across the pond. While there are few conflicts in between the characters, the main conflict that drives the film forward is understated - people wanting t... read moreo succeed in an world that doesn't assent.
    There is little in the way of comedy, "littler" in the way of drama, and too many musical sequences for my taste, but it's hard to fault the movie for any of these things. Suffice to say that I mildly enjoyed the experience of watching this film, and there's little to complain about.
  • SirPant
    September 25, 2009
    SirPant
    'Riot Sally riot'
  • thmtsang
    January 1, 2008
    thmtsang
    A group of teenagers in Dublin from a rock band. The soundtrack is fab.
  • danperry17
    July 15, 2007
    danperry17
    A gritty, fun flick with a great ending and classic music.
  • webalina
    May 2, 2007
    webalina
    A great movie about fighting obstacles to get what you want. If you like soul music, this movie is a must.
  • garyX
    February 25, 2007
    garyX
    A british comedy. Seen one, seen 'em all.
  • mjgildea
    November 26, 2006
    mjgildea
    Pretty cool, but its one of those movies that you only really need to see once.
  • chaleins
    October 13, 2010
    chaleins
    The Commitments is a faux band-bio that is a great way to spend an evening watching a film. This genre has been done many times, but Alan Parker's film is the most organic and realistic of any I've ever seen. It's got some great music, intercut with sharply written dialogue, and ... read morethat's strewn with working-class Dubliner expletives that are both amusing and authentic.

    The background of Dublin is captured perfectly in Parker's lens, and the editing and scene choices are a complex mosaic of the lives of the characters. It's so well done, you barely notice how much is going on, and how much subtext is in ever look, ever word and glance. It's really well done.

    casting is perfect. There are many characters that make up the band, and they're all distinct and interesting. The writing and direction brings them so alive, you'd swear you know some of them as friends (or foes) of yours. The struggles of the various characters are easy to understand and bond with, and how the music they make is when they are truly alive. The other beautiful thing about The Commitments is how beautifully unglamorous the whole situation is. The people are imperfect humans with enough talent to be able to rise above their rather squalid existence. You really hope they make it, even though you know not everything will be rosy in the end.

    If you love music (even if you're not a soul fan) you'll love the message and spiritual feeling of The Commitments.

    Recommended for all you eejits.
  • wbgoose13
    June 6, 2007
    wbgoose13
    Very rarely as sincere or charming as it purports to be.

View All The Commitments Reviews

Critic Reviews

Richard Corliss
August 20, 2008
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine

The film offers no message, no solutions, only a great time at the movies. Full Review

Variety Staff
March 10, 2008
Variety Staff, Variety

Director Alan Parker's story of a band of young Dubliners playing American '60s soul is fresh, well-executed and original. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
March 10, 2008
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

This is probably Alan Parker's best film, in part because it's one of his most modest. Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Mr. Parker is capable of whipping a series of quick, well-edited snippets into a happy collage of musical high spirits.

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Parker keeps going for the glitz. He may have shot The Commitments in Ireland, but his soul never left Hollywood.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

As music and human comedy, it works just fine. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

The musical numbers, actually performed by the on-screen band, are sensational. Full Review

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

Alan Parker's sexy, hilarious, exuberantly energetic new film, The Commitments, has so much rhythmic juice that it's nearly impossible to stay in your seat. Full Review

Brian Orndorf
August 16, 2011
Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com

It's a relaxed, colorful creation, remaining true to rascally human behaviors while respecting the unifying power of music. Downright irresistible. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
June 6, 2008
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Does a remarkable job of balancing a feel of lower-class life with the sheer exuberance the music brings. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Jimmy Rabbitte: The Irish are the blacks of Europe, Dubliners are the blacks of Ireland, and the North Siders are the blacks of Dublin ... so say it loud -- I'm black and I'm proud!
    • Jimmy Rabbitte: He says God sent him
    • Mr. Rabbitte: On a fucking Suzuki?
  • Natalie Murphy: "What do you think, Jimmy, they'll be eatin' chips out of our knickers?",
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The Commitments : Watch Free on TV

The Commitments Trivia

  • Which former member of Boyzone appeared in the market scene of "The Commitments"?  Answer »
  • name the 1991 movie based on the audio clip song (hint irish band)  Answer »
  • in which 1991 movie did andrew strong sing mustang sally?  Answer »
  • Which member of 90's boyband Boyzone had a small appearance in the commitments?  Answer »
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