The Snapper

cowtime · Post by **cowtime** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 8:51 pm

We just saw this Irish movie tonight and it was really funny.
I missed some of the dialog, since I would often have to tell my husband what was just said(not that I got it all, but most, I think). Even he liked it and this is not something he'd usually like. Language is not for the young though.

djm · Post by **djm** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 9:20 pm

Roddy Doyle wrote the book that this was based on - actually he wrote three related books: The Commitments, The Van and The Snapper. They were later rereleased as The Barrytown Trilogy. The books are funnier than the movies, but the movies are good too if you don't have any visual points of reference.

djm

dubhlinn · Post by **dubhlinn** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 9:30 pm

The Snapper is probably the best of the three novels. Doyle seemed to have his style worked out fully by then. The film is very enjoyable and gives a very honest and truthful portrayal of a Dublin working class family.

I grew up in the part of Dublin that Doyle used for "Barrytown" - he is a Steely Dan fan

- so his books and the films based upon them ring very true to life for me.

Slan,
D.

The Weekenders · Post by **The Weekenders** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 1:57 pm

Wasn't Colm Meaney in that one?? A good movie.

Chiffed · Post by **Chiffed** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 10:51 pm

I rented that one on the same night I rented Trainspotting. Bad idea.

Walden · Post by **Walden** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 4:04 am

For some reason the title of this made me think of snapping turtles.

<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/e ... turtle.jpg" width=300>

Joseph E. Smith · Post by **Joseph E. Smith** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 4:08 am

The Weekenders wrote:Wasn't Colm Meaney in that one?? A good movie.

Yes, he was. A great film, I saw it quite a few years ago when it was released in the states. Very funny.

flanum · Post by **flanum** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 3:10 pm

My mate Brian MacAoidh plays uilleann pipes in the movie "the commitments".
It is in the part where they are auditioning lots of different people in the kitchen!

Joseph E. Smith · Post by **Joseph E. Smith** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 4:28 am

flanum wrote:My mate Brian MacAoidh plays uilleann pipes in the movie "the commitments".
It is in the part where they are auditioning lots of different people in the kitchen!

A mighty scene... I love the mother and daughter stepping in the background... brilliant!

Mitch · Post by **Mitch** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 6:30 am

flanum wrote:My mate Brian MacAoidh plays uilleann pipes in the movie "the commitments".
It is in the part where they are auditioning lots of different people in the kitchen!

I always thought his choice of material let him down - if he'd played Foxy Lady he would have been in for sure.

Innocent Bystander · Post by **Innocent Bystander** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 4:33 pm

I liked "The Committments" best, even though I can't spell it. I especially like the manager's quotable quote on Jazz. (This might provoke a reaction...) "The Van" was just so sad. Unfortunately, "The Snapper" just fades into oblivion - but then it must be five years since I read it.

Henkersbraut · Post by **Henkersbraut** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 1:52 am

I can't tell the books apart anymore, seems to be about time for a re-read... I do remember much prefering "The woman who walked into doors" by him, though.

I seem to have "A star called Henry" by him too, but don't think I've read it. Anyone? Is it any good? (Hm. "A year later he's ready to die for Ireland again, a rebel, a Fenian and a killer. With his father's wooden leg as a weapon." *harrharr*)

djm · Post by **djm** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:53 am

HBraut wrote:I seem to have "A star called Henry" by him too, but don't think I've read it. Anyone? Is it any good? (Hm. "A year later he's ready to die for Ireland again, a rebel, a Fenian and a killer. With his father's wooden leg as a weapon." *harrharr*)

Doyle's attempt at a new series, starting with A Star Called Henry, and followed up by Oh, Play That Thing, has been, in my opinion, a flop. He is clearly writing about stuff he is interested in, but is not in touch with. While Henry is not too bad a book, reviewing the death of Michael Collins from the view of people involved, Thing is really garbage, and the follow-up book promises to be more of the same.

Doyle really shines when he writes about stuff he knows, is personally in touch with, but the rest of his stuff really falls flat IMHO.

djm

dubhlinn · Post by **dubhlinn** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 9:02 am

djm wrote:
HBraut wrote:I seem to have "A star called Henry" by him too, but don't think I've read it. Anyone? Is it any good? (Hm. "A year later he's ready to die for Ireland again, a rebel, a Fenian and a killer. With his father's wooden leg as a weapon." *harrharr*)
Doyle's attempt at a new series, starting with A Star Called Henry, and followed up by Oh, Play That Thing, has been, in my opinion, a flop. He is clearly writing about stuff he is interested in, but is not in touch with. While Henry is not too bad a book, reviewing the death of Michael Collins from the view of people involved, Thing is really garbage, and the follow-up book promises to be more of the same.

Doyle really shines when he writes about stuff he knows, is personally in touch with, but the rest of his stuff really falls flat IMHO.

djm

My opinion exactly

Slan,
D.

carolann · Post by **carolann** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 3:35 pm

Dare I ask.... Dubhlinn! Where do you your quotes from? Do you know them by heart?