Evelyn (2002)
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65% of critics liked it
(106 reviews) -
76% of users liked it
(7,552 ratings)
One man takes on the Irish family law system and the Catholic Church in a bid to be reunited with his children in this drama, based on a true story. In 1953, Desmond Doyle (Pierce Brosnan) was a house painter and decorator who, despite a strong work ethic, had a hard time holding on to steady work.… More One man takes on the Irish family law system and the Catholic Church in a bid to be reunited with his children in this drama, based on a true story. In 1953, Desmond Doyle (Pierce Brosnan) was a house painter and decorator who, despite a strong work ethic, had a hard time holding on to steady work. Desmond's wife had grown tired of her marriage and her husband's financial problems, and one day walked away from her home, leaving Desmond to raise their three children on his own. While Desmond struggles to keep body and soul together for his children, his sporadic employment eventually attracts the attention of the law, and a court order sends his two sons and young daughter to separate Catholic orphanages until Desmond can prove he's capable of properly supporting them. However, Desmond discovers merely getting work is not enough to bring his children back to him, and when he learns that his daughter, Evelyn (Sophie Vavasseur), is having a rough time of it at the hands of several stern nuns, he becomes determined to win their custody in a court of law. Through Bernadette (Julianna Margulies), a barmaid who has caught his eye, Desmond meets Michael Beattie (Stephen Rea), a lawyer and Bernadette's brother. While Michael doesn't believe Desmond's case can be won in an Irish court, his partner Nick Barron (Aidan Quinn), an expatriate American who lost custody of his own children in a divorce proceeding, is eager to help, and they agree to take the case. However, they both realize they're fighting an uphill battle, and so they persuade Thomas Connolly (Alan Bates), a former football star who became one of Ireland's most respected barristers, to lend his knowledge and prestige to the case. Leading man Bronson also served a co-producer for Evelyn; Bruce Beresford directed, who previously collaborated with Pierce Brosnan on Mister Johnson. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- PG, 1 hr. 33 min.
- Directed By
- Bruce Beresford
- Written By
- Paul Pender
- Genres
- Art House & International, Drama
- In Theaters
- Dec 13, 2002 Wide
- On DVD
- Apr 15, 2003
- Studio
- MGM/UA
Critic Reviews
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Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
It's Kramer vs. Kramer, without the Kramers, a 'true story' without much of the truth.
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Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
Stephen Rea, Aidan Quinn, and Alan Bates play Desmond's legal eagles, and when joined by Brosnan, the sight of this grandiloquent quartet lolling in pretty Irish settings is a pleasant enough thing, 'tis.
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Randy Cordova, Arizona Republic
Your head may want to resist Evelyn, but your heart will have a hard time of it.
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Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
From any other filmmaker, Evelyn would be merely a forgettable good intention, but when you consider that Beresford is the man who brought us Black Robe and Breaker Morant, it approaches heartbreak.
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Desson Thomson, Washington Post
You can't help but like its unequivocal sentimentality.
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Cast
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Pierce Brosnanas Desmond Doyle -
Aidan Quinnas Nick Barron -
Julianna Marguliesas Bernadette Beattie
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Stephen Reaas Michael Beattie -
Sophie Vavasseuras Evelyn Doyle -
Alan Batesas Thomas Connolly
Photos
