The Commitments (1991)

88% of critics liked it
(40 reviews)
87% of users liked it
(27,237 ratings)

"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 Arkins) tells his slightly puzzled friends as he tries to assemble a rhythm & blues show band in a… More "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 Arkins) 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

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 56 min.
Directed By: Alan Parker
Written By: Roddy Doyle, Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais
Genres: Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 14, 1991 Wide
On DVD: Nov 2, 1999

Critic Reviews

Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
The film offers no message, no solutions, only a great time at the movies.
Variety Staff, Variety
Director Alan Parker's story of a band of young Dubliners playing American '60s soul is fresh, well-executed and original.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
This is probably Alan Parker's best film, in part because it's one of his most modest.
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, Rolling Stone
Parker keeps going for the glitz. He may have shot The Commitments in Ireland, but his soul never left Hollywood.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
As music and human comedy, it works just fine.
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.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Does a remarkable job of balancing a feel of lower-class life with the sheer exuberance the music brings.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This typically slick but largely enjoyable Alan Parker offering is the story of the rise and demise of a young Irish soul band.
, Film4
Sharply written and executed with real verve, this is an enduring and enjoyable comedy-drama that showcases some great performances both on and off-stage.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Foul-mouthed, fast-talking and very funny, this is Parker's best to date.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
High-energy fun
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Based on Doyle's first novel, Alan Parker's movie offers a fresh, captivating portrait of a new band whose goal is to bring 1960s soul music to working-class Dublin.
James Plath, Reel.com
Has the raw power of a documentary and a driving musical soundtrack.

Read all 14 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

Lady D

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… More
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 thought their performances were really good, I hadn't known Glen Hansard had already appeared in this film.
Jim H

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… More
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 to 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.
Anthony L

'Riot Sally riot'
Candy R

A group of teenagers in Dublin from a rock band. The soundtrack is fab.
Daniel P

A gritty, fun flick with a great ending and classic music.
Cindy I

A great movie about fighting obstacles to get what you want. If you like soul music, this movie is a must.
xGary X

A british comedy. Seen one, seen 'em all.
Michael G

Pretty cool, but its one of those movies that you only really need to see once.
Mark K

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… More
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 that'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.
William G

Very rarely as sincere or charming as it purports to be.
Isaac H

Unrestrained and excessively hilarious, the musical/comedy The Commitments is the kind of movie that's really hard not to smile at all the way through.
Marcus W

Bunch of lower class Irish start a band...and that's about it. Okay, so along the way they produce some good music, cheer up a few people and work from a strong scrip, but the absolute lack of plot leaves this film flat.
Audrey L

I loved this movie-bought it and the soundtrack a long time ago. I watched it again today and it was a real treat-happened on it on TV. The music is excellent;the humor is laugh out loud funny and the characters are just so authentic.
Leo L

Great!
deb .

Good movie and great music!
monty h

Hadn't watched this movie in years until a few days ago. It's still great. The cast, the rocking songs, and the humor make it impossible not to love. And Andrew Strong as lead singer Deco is just terrific. Movies don't get much better than this.

Read all 16 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Robert Arkins as Jimmy Rabbitte

            Michael Aherne as Steven Clifford

            Angeline Ball as Imelda Quirke

            Maria Doyle Kennedy as Natalie Murphy

            Dave Finnegan as Mickah Wallace

            Johnny Murphy as Joey "The Lips" Fagan

            Andrew Strong as Deco Cuffe

            Bronagh Gallagher as Bernie McGloughlin

            Felim Gormley as Dean Fay

            Glen Hansard as Outspan Foster

            Kenneth McCluskey as Derek Scully

            Colm Meaney as Mr. Rabbitte

            Jezz Bell as Heavy Metal Singer

            John Michael Bolger as Community Center Kid

            Philip Bredin as Ray

            Paul Bushnell as Avante-Garde-A-Clue Band Member

            Jody Campbell as Cajun Trio Member

            Liam Carney as Duffy

            Gerard Cassoni as Darren Rabbitte

            Andrea Corr as Sharon Rabbitte

            Jim Corr as Avante-Garde-A-Clue Band Member

            Lance Daly as Kid with Harmonica

            Emily Dawson as Punk Girl Singer

            Winston Dennis as Man in Limousine

            Phelim Drew as Roddy the Reporter

            Derek Duggan as Photographer

            Lindsay Fairclough as Tracey Rabbitte

            Ruth Fairclough as Linda Rabbitte

            Sheila Flitton as Church Cleaner

            Patrick Foy as Cajun Trio Member

            Ronan Hardiman as Dance Hall Manager

            Kristel Harris as Coconuts Trio Member

            Derek Herbert as Duffy's Sidekick

            Larry Hogan as Avante-Garde-A-Clue Band Member

            Sean Hughes as Dave from Eejit Records

            Philomena Kavanagh as Rabbitte's Neighbor

            Bernard Keelan as Avante-Garde-A-Clue Band Member

            Anne Kent as Mrs. Rabbitte

            Aoife Lawless as Imelda's Sister

            Pat Leavy as Unemployment Official

            Josylen Lyons as Deco's Fan

            Brian Mac Aodha as Uileann Pipe Player

            Colm Mac Con Iomaire as Fiddler Auditioner

            Eanna Mac Liam as Failed Drug Buyer

            Conor Malone as Protest Song Singer

            Dick Massey as Billy Mooney

            Mikel Murfi as Music Journalist

            Bob Navan as Regency Pub Barman

            Mick Nolan as Imelda's Father

            Eamon O'Connor as Only De Lonely Singer

            Paddy O'Connor as Rock Salmon Man

            Owen O'Gorman as Duffy's Sidekick

            Rynagh O'Grady as Bernie's Mother

            Maura O'Malley as Joey's Mother

            Mark O'Regan as Father Molloy

            Michael O'Reilly as Greg

            Maria Place as Coconuts Trio Member

            Eileen Reid as Imelda's Mother

            Peter Rowen as Shy Skateboard Auditioner

            Ger Ryan as Pawnbroker

            Blaise Smith as Pool Hall Manager

            Tricia Smith as Les Miserables Singer

            Canice William as Smiths' Song Singer

            Alan Parker as Eejit Record Producer

            Ros Hubbard
            
            Dave Kane as Coconuts Trio Member

            Alan Murray as Cajun Trio Member

            John Cronin as Kid with Horse

            John Hubbard
            
See full cast