A break from the Hollywood mega-bucks for lusty leprechaun Colin Farrell, with his appearance in ‘Intermission’. It’s a brave move for the heartthrob as his scumbag appearance, replete with knacker ‘tache and dodgy gold jewellery will surely turn the temperature down somewhat among surrounding females.

An Irish movie, featuring virtually every decent acting talent ever to grace the island’s screen or stage, ‘Intermission’ weaves the stories of a large number of characters together to paint a
picture of life in present day Dublin. Farrell plays Lehiff, a scumbag with a chip on his shoulder, caused largely by Colm Meaney's cop Jerry Lynch. Meaney's performance is the standout of the film, as his Clannad-loving hard man with an eye for justice pursues the criminals and the limelight in equal measure and to hilarious effect.

The film centres around the story of John (the excellent Cillian Murphy) and Deirdre (Kelly Macdonald –whose Irish accent is almost forgiveable, and certainly proves that fellow Celts can master it better than the Americans - yes we're pointing at you Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman). John breaks up with Deirdre to see if she really loves him and then starts to break down when she replaces him with a bank manager. This leads him into a heist to rob the bank and naturally, things don't go according to plan. Various sub-plots are interwoven skillfully by writer Mark O'Rowe, who was previously responsible for Irish stage sensation ‘Crestfall’. Comedian Deirdre O'Kane is utterly convincing as the abandoned wife with an eye for revenge, and Farrell proves that he's worth his, smaller-than-usual, pay packet.

The direction by John Crowley manages to hold together well considering the size of the cast and volume of sub-plots, until just before the end when sentimentalism sets in. Nonetheless, ‘Intermission’ is as ambitious a project as we've seen in some time from homegrown Irish cinema. The dialogue is faultless and the action gripping, and with performances like these, the film bodes well for new investment into the shaky industry here.

words: Niamh Murray

‘Intermission’ is released in the UK on 21 Nov 2003.
For more information see www.intermission-movie.com