The Snapper

The Snapper (1993)

  • 97% of critics liked it
    (31 reviews)

  • 84% of users liked it
    (2,787 ratings)

The Snapper is Stephen Frears's adaptation of the second book in Roddy Doyle's Barrytown Trilogy. The Curley family is a poor but eccentric and loving Irish family. Oldest daughter Sharon (Tina Kellegher) announces she is pregnant, but refuses to reveal the identity of the father to anyone. Her… More

R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By
Stephen Frears
Genres
Drama, Comedy
In Theaters
Dec 3, 1993 Wide
On DVD
Dec 18, 2001
Miramax

Critic Reviews

  • Derek Elley, Variety

    Casting and playing are uniformly tops, with special praise for Fionnuala Murphy as Kellegher's best pal, Ruth McCabe as the quiet, long-suffering mom, and the five kids as her loopy brothers and sisters.

  • Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

    Better-than-average sitcom stuff, enhanced by the lively performances, Doyle's own adaptation, and the able direction of Stephen Frears.

  • Charles Hagen, New York Times

    A small, joyful lark of a film.

  • Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

    This rip-roaring Irish comedy is the freshest surprise of the season.

  • James Berardinelli, ReelViews

    The marriage of humor and drama is admittedly imperfect, but it works well enough to occasionally spawn laughter and touch the heart, and there's a crucial scene between Colm Meaney and Tina Kellegher that is beautifully written, acted, and directed.

Read all 13 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

  • Leo L


    Hilarious! A brilliant movie about a family who go through the motions of everyday life. Colm Meaney is fantastic in this one! A great comedy! Simply love it!

Cast

See full cast