Nora (2000)

55% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
35% of users liked it
(1,741 ratings)

This period drama is based on the real-life relationship of the great Irish novelist James Joyce and his longtime lover, Nora Barnacle. Aspiring writer James (Ewan McGregor) meets Nora (Susan Lynch) in Dublin in 1904. While she lacks James' interest in literature, she shares his frustrations about… More This period drama is based on the real-life relationship of the great Irish novelist James Joyce and his longtime lover, Nora Barnacle. Aspiring writer James (Ewan McGregor) meets Nora (Susan Lynch) in Dublin in 1904. While she lacks James' interest in literature, she shares his frustrations about the limitations of life in Ireland, and she encourages him in both his work and in his desire to try his hand in Europe. Nora also shares James' potent sexual appetite, and James finds himself at once thrilled by her enthusiasm for lovemaking and troubled by suspicions that she may be unfaithful to him. When James decides to relocate to Trieste, Nora joins him, and they eventually have two children together, but their relationship is often stormy -- James angrily suspects that Nora is having affairs with his brother Stanislaus (Peter McDonald) and their close friend Roberto (Roberto Citran) as he struggles with his writing and battles censors over his masterwork, Ulysses. However, while they have troubles keeping their relationship together, they find that it's even harder for them to live apart from one another. Ewan McGregor served as both star and co-producer for Nora, which was backed in part by his production company, Natural Nylon Entertainment. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: Pat Murphy
Written By: Pat Murphy, Gerard Stembridge
Genres: Documentary, Drama, Musical & Performing Arts

In Theaters: May 4, 2001 Wide
On DVD: May 21, 2002
Studio: Nora Film Ltd.

Critic Reviews

Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
Lynch manages to make Nora's temperamental tempestuousness not only credible and admirable, but deeply alluring.
Kevin Maynard, Mr. Showbiz
A convincing portrait of the intersection between creative genius and crazy, all-consuming love.
David Hunter, Hollywood Reporter
A muddy tale of sex, love, obsession, jealousy, cruelty and abandonment that can keep one at a distance.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
A gorgeous period piece with rich, vigorous portrayals of Joyce ... and Barnacle.
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Intense performances, but a literal literary downer.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Susan Lynch is a bold and daring Nora.
Liz Braun, Jam! Movies
A sexy, fascinating look at the life led by Joyce and Nora Barnacle.
Bill Gallo, New Times
A must-see for Joyce fans, feminist historians great and small and admirers of the Emerald Isle.
Emma Cochrane, Empire Magazine
There isn't really anything likeable to commend it.

Read all 9 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Megan S

Boring, not the kind of movie I would have chosen to watch but I like Ewan McGregor.
Burger S

I'm giving this only two stars: One for Ewan McGregor, and one for James Joyce. Unless you are obsessed with the careers of either one, there is absolutely no reason to watch this movie. McGregor does his best to lend his shining talent to this turd. I've seen better… More
I'm giving this only two stars: One for Ewan McGregor, and one for James Joyce. Unless you are obsessed with the careers of either one, there is absolutely no reason to watch this movie. McGregor does his best to lend his shining talent to this turd. I've seen better production value on the Lifetime network or PBS. Completly boring. I might as well have listened to an Audio Book of Joyce's biography.