Episode 201 - The Commitments (1991)

Dublin soul, magnificent music and enough creative differences to sink a small record label. This episode was recorded a couple of weeks ago, before the terribly sad news of Glen Hansard's death earlier this week. We remember him with great affection as Outspan Foster, one of the unforgettable faces and voices at the heart of The Commitments.

Dublin has the music. Jimmy Rabbitte has the ambition. What he does not yet have is a band, any money, or the faintest idea how to keep a roomful of volatile musicians from throttling one another.

This time on Reel Britannia, Scott is joined by Maurice in Melbourne, Kerry in Boston and Tom from just down the road for Alan Parker's joyous, foul-mouthed and gloriously chaotic 1991 musical comedy. Based on Roddy Doyle's novel, The Commitments follows Jimmy's attempt to bring soul music to the working-class streets of Dublin by assembling a group whose talent is matched only by its ability to argue.

The team discusses the film's extraordinary cast, including Robert Arkins, Andrew Strong, Angeline Ball, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Bronagh Gallagher, Colm Meaney and Glen Hansard. There is also plenty of admiration for the thunderous soundtrack, the sharp dialogue and Parker's knack for making the whole enterprise feel as though it might either conquer the world or collapse before the next rehearsal.

So pull on your sharpest suit, warm up the brass section and try not to mention creative differences. The Commitments are ready to play, although whether they will all still be speaking by the encore is another question.

This and all previous episodes are available wherever you download your podcasts and at: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/reelbritannia

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