The Snapper (1993)
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97% of critics liked it
(31 reviews) -
83% of users liked it
(2,905 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.… More 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 father, Dessie (Colm Meaney), is supportive, but begins to chafe at the derisive gossip aimed at his family and his daughter. This leads to a confrontation between the two that is, like the rest of the movie, simultaneously funny and sad. The family waits in the hospital as Sharon gives birth to the snapper (Irish slang for an infant). The other books in the Barrytown Trilogy were also adapted into films featuring Colm Meaney as the father: The Commitments, directed by Alan Parker, and The Van, directed by Stephen Frears. Doyle had a hand in the screenplay for all three. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
- Directed By
- Stephen Frears
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Dec 3, 1993 Wide
- On DVD
- Dec 18, 2001
- Studio
- Miramax
Critic Reviews
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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.
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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.
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Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Deeply affecting.
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Charles Hagen, New York Times
A small, joyful lark of a film.
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Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
This rip-roaring Irish comedy is the freshest surprise of the season.
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Cast
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Colm Meaney
as Dessie Curley
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Tina Kellegher
as Sharon Curley
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Ruth McCabe
as Kay Curley
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Fionnula Murphy
as Jackie
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Pat Laffan
as George Burgess
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Deirdre O'Brien
as Mary
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Karen Woodley
as Yvonne
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Eanna Mac Liam
as Craig Curley
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Peter Rowen
as Sonny
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Joanne Gerrard
as Lisa
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Colm O'Byrne
as Darren
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Ciara Duffy
as Kimberley
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Brendan Gleeson
as Lester
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Marie Conmee
as Barrytown Neighbour
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Cathleen Delaney
as Oul'one
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Sheila Flitton
as Neighbour 2
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Jimmy Keogh
as Barrytown Neighbour
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Rynagh O'Grady
as Neighbour 1
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Sandy
as Famine
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Joan Sheehy
as Woman in Hospital
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Britta Smith
as Woman in Police Station
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Stanley Townsend
as Anaesthetist
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Ronan Wilmot
as Paddy
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Jack Lynch
as Policeman
- Leo Davis
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Dylan Tighe
as Boy 1
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Stuart Dunne
as Bertie
- Eanna MacLiam
- Peter Rowan