White Irish Drinkers (2010)

44% of critics liked it
(34 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(2,057 ratings)

Two young men are looking for a better life but may have to go to the wrong side of the law to get it in this independent drama from director John Gray. Brian Leary (Nick Thurston) and Danny (Geoff Wigdor) are brothers living in a decaying Brooklyn neighborhood in 1975. Tired of dealing with their… More Two young men are looking for a better life but may have to go to the wrong side of the law to get it in this independent drama from director John Gray. Brian Leary (Nick Thurston) and Danny (Geoff Wigdor) are brothers living in a decaying Brooklyn neighborhood in 1975. Tired of dealing with their angry and abusive father (Stephen Lang) and high-strung mother (Karen Allen), both Brian and Danny want to move out and do something different with their lives, but their ambitions travel different paths. Danny, the older brother, is a petty criminal who is trying to finance a new life one hold-up at a time; Brian, meanwhile, works at a movie theater and paints in his spare time, though he doesn't tell anyone about his dreams of becoming an artist. Brian thinks he might be able to bankroll a few years at art school when Whitey (Peter Riegert), the manager of the theater, tells him they have a shot at booking the Rolling Stones for a special show at the theater, which would mean a big payday for everyone. But when Danny hears about the big show, he starts making plans of his own to rob the box office the night of the concert. White Irish Drinkers received its world premiere at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 49 min.
Directed By: John Gray
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Mar 25, 2011 Limited
On DVD: Jul 12, 2011
Studio: Screen Media Films

Critic Reviews

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Every kitchen-sink dramatic cliché is trotted out in John Gray's Brooklyn period piece.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
A movie that one watches with the sense of pushing it up a hill.
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
Despite the cliches that push every scene forward, there's an unexpected appeal to John Gray's modest drama, emanating from its center.
Anthony Venutolo, Newark Star-Ledger
The basic outline of the plot, built around a promised local concert by the Rolling Stones - well, if you don't know where that story is headed, you haven't seen as many movies as I think you have.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Writer-director John Gray digs into his own background to create the ardent and atmospheric White Irish Drinkers. The close, cramped intimacy of this film is so real it stings.
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
White Irish Drinkers is a heavy borrower deep into the pocket of pop culture's loan shark, and lacking the grace to acknowledge the debt.
Mike Scott, Times-Picayune
A period drama that's as predictable and cliched as green beer on St. Patrick's Day.
Sarah Boslaugh, Playback:stl
The dialogue and action in White Irish Drinkers couldn't be more on the nose if the film was intended to be a parody. Sadly, Gray means for us to take it seriously.
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
Under no circumstances would I recommend that you see "White Irish Drinkers." But if you do, a good, stiff belt would not be a bad idea.
Kelly Vance, East Bay Express
Writer-director John Gray was blessed to find the faces of actors Thurston and Murphy.
Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, Ebert Presents At The Movies
I normally kind of like these sort of modest genre movies, but this is just marinating in its own mediocrity.
Andy Klein, Christian Science Monitor
Veteran TV director John Gray brings little or nothing new to conflicts we've seen in an endless stream of movies, including Saturday Night Fever and (to go straight to the top of the list) Mean Streets.
Bruce Kirkland, Jam! Movies
White Irish Drinkers is a visceral experience.
Amy Amatangelo, Boston Herald
Here's a 1970s-set film nostalgic for the days young Irish-American men addressed each other as "ya' hump."
Peg Aloi, Boston Phoenix
This is a gritty, dreamy Everyman story, sure to resonate with viewers who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks.
Jason Anderson, eye WEEKLY
White Irish Drinkers contains a cast of characters who are as loud, brash and pugnacious as that title would suggest. They also represent just about every Irish-American stereotype.
Neil Rosen, NY1-TV
It's an authentic New York slice of life, and the "coming of age" story has depth. The main character is at a crossroads and you'll be rooting for him all the way.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

In Brooklyn in the 70's there's only 2 kinds of people: those stuck there in lower middle class doldrums or those who get out. Although cliched the performances save this trifle about two brothers (one's a crook and one ain't). Stephen Lang does well as the bad… More
In Brooklyn in the 70's there's only 2 kinds of people: those stuck there in lower middle class doldrums or those who get out. Although cliched the performances save this trifle about two brothers (one's a crook and one ain't). Stephen Lang does well as the bad parent.
Cynthia S

Excellent movie! Refreshing script, excellent acting. I really liked the pace of this movie, and the subtle camera work. Fantastic ending, also, which often seals the deal for me when it come to really good movies. Kudos!
♥˩ƳИИ &

Cast: Nick Thurston, Geoff Wigdor, Karen Allen, Stephen Lang, Peter Riegert, Leslie Murphy, Zachary Booth, Robbie Sublett, Michael Drayer, Henry Zebrowski Director: John Gray Summary: In a blue-collar Irish section of 1970s Brooklyn, brothers Danny (Geoff Wigdor) and Brian… More
Cast: Nick Thurston, Geoff Wigdor, Karen Allen, Stephen Lang, Peter Riegert, Leslie Murphy, Zachary Booth, Robbie Sublett, Michael Drayer, Henry Zebrowski Director: John Gray Summary: In a blue-collar Irish section of 1970s Brooklyn, brothers Danny (Geoff Wigdor) and Brian Leary (Nick Thurston) come of age in a family dominated by their longshoreman father, Patrick (Stephen Lang), whose hard-drinking leaves them scrambling for a way out. As delinquent Danny and dejected mom Margaret (Karen Allen) take the brunt of Patrick's assaults, aspiring artist Brian hides his dreams. But desperate acts will threaten them all. My Thoughts: "Like so many other films, I went into this one knowing nothing. What I ended up with was a great indie drama. Great acting, great story, and some fun and also intense character's. It's such a heavy story dealing with some very serious issues of alcoholism and physical abuse. It was at times hard to watch or listen as some things were happening. But along with the brutality there was a lot of heart as well. You really start caring for these character's. The bond between these brother's is something special. Danny goes to great lengths to protect Brian. The film definitely brought laughter and some tears. Nick Thurston was charming and funny and just so likable that he reels you in. He did a great job in the movie. Geoffrey Wigdor as Danny was great as well. The whole cast was great. The critics hated it but I of course loved it. For me, it's a must see for sure."