Red Roses and Petrol poster & wallpaper

Malcolm McDowell, Olivia Tracey, Heather Juergensen

Amidst a haze of cigarette smoke and uneaten food, the family of Enda Doyle (McDowell) gathers in Dublin for his wake. A university librarian, poet and rascal, he has left behind a trail of unresolved...( read more  read more... ) issues, a dysfunctional family, and a disturbing mystery. Enda's dazed widow, Moya (Olivia Tracey), anxiously prepares for the next day's funeral with her still stuck-at-home, twenty-something daughter Medbh (Heather Juergensen) lending a loving hand. Moya's desperation to keep her family together and Medbh's sharp tongue provide the backdrop for the arrival of headstrong older sister Catherine (Susan Lynch) from New York with her handsome but awkward boyfriend Tom (Greg Ellis) in tow. They doubt that London-based Johnny (Max Beesley), the angry black sheep brother of the family, will even appear at all. Sorting through boxes of Enda's books, the women discover a cache of self-recorded video diaries that might shed light on who Enda Doyle really was and some of the secrets that he was never able to share with them. At the funeral, the daughters see a distraught young woman from the university (Catherine Farrell) who was rumored to be having an affair with Enda. They're stunned that she would show up so brazenly at a family gathering for the deceased Enda. Returning home, they find Johnny emerging from the shower after an impromptu tryst. A brilliant but emotionally wounded slacker, Johnny brings the clan to the edge of violence with his biting and sarcastic recall of the family's long buried memories. His confrontational behavior and bitter recollection of life with their father incite all of them into what can only be called unchecked family therapy. Throughout the ensuing arguments, which reach a fevered pitch as the family becomes inebriated waiting for guests to arrive for the wake, Enda Doyle is further revealed as the powerful and ambiguous force that he was. Finally, Catherine cannot contain herself and accuses Moya of being blind to her husband's infidelity and, by extension, inflicting great pain on herself and her children. In a surprising twist, Enda's own videotapes give the family the answers they returned home to find. Enda, the poet, could not express his feelings for his family in words, yet unfailingly brought Moya a dozen red roses with the petrol he purchased for his lawnmower every Saturday. This mixture represents both the fire and romance that made up his character.

Flixster Users

62% liked it

22 ratings

Critics

9% liked it

11 critics

R, 1 hr. 37 min.

Directed by: Tamar Simon Hoffs

Release Date: April 1, 2008

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Flixster Reviews (23)

  • mellow00yellow
    October 8, 2009
    mellow00yellow
    I'm excited to see it at the Irish Arts Fest on the 19th. Heard Susanna Hoffs sings on the soundtrack too.
  • ambezy08
    October 5, 2009
    ambezy08
    The variations of surprising turns and sharp humor made the movie a must see. It was relatable, and an overall great movie. It touches on and executes complex inner family issues that alot of movies dont tend to deviate deeply into. Also Max Beesly is a rediculously funny drunk. ...( read more)I'd recommend it to all.
  • offdwallnotdrack
    July 23, 2009
    offdwallnotdrack
    I happened to catch this movie the other night, and I wasn't expecting much, but live and learn I guess...cuz I was way off. This is a simple yet complex story about an Irish family who deals with a lot off built up emotions that are finally released due to a sudden tragedy in th...( read more)e family. Not too much happens in the movie, it is a very dialogue heavy film which really analyzes the intricasies of family relationships and human behavior. You might relate to it a bit more if you are Irish or European yourself: I'm Romanian myself. There are more than a few characters in there who are almost quintessential personalities in most of the families outside of America that I've known. Generally though I think it's a very universal film that anyone can relate to and be moved by.
  • mustlovemovies
    September 18, 2008
    mustlovemovies
    Great performances all the way around. I love indie films and Red Roses did not disappoint!
  • gizmochan10191
    February 28, 2008
    gizmochan10191
    I have seen it in the movie festival.
    It was opportunity to start to think about my family.
    Good movie!!!!!
  • ay1231
    February 7, 2008
    ay1231
    I like the line " They say the closest a man can come to being immortal is by having a son." in the movie. Malcom McDowell's play added deeper meaning in it.
  • domachick
    January 28, 2008
    domachick
    I thought that Heather Juergensen played a fantastic role. I loved her in Kissing Jessica Stein and it was nice to see her in such a colorful film.

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