INTERMISSION (2003)

Directed By: John Crowley 
Written By: Mark O’Rowe 
Cinematography By: Ryszard Lenczewski 
Editor: Lucia Zuchetti 

Cast: Cillian Murphy, Brian F.O’Byrne Kelly MacDonald, Shirley Henderson, Colin Farrell, Rory Keenan, Colm Meaney, Kerry Condon, Emma Bolger, David Wilmot

Intermission is an urban love story about people adrift and their convoluted journeys in the search for some kind of love. When the desperately insecure and emotionally inarticulate John breaks up with Deirdre to 'give her a little test' his plan backfires leaving her broken-hearted and him alone and miserable. Through chance and coincidence, their break-up triggers a roller coaster ride of interweaving escapades in the lives of everyone around them. Intermission presents a slice of life, the passage between breaking up and making up, exploring how our lives intersect, and the power we all possess to affect the lives of those around us.

An ensemble film that connects. I can actually understand why the film is made this way as it has each story intermix brilliantly and truly lets you see multiple sides to characters and how each one effects another. Letting each story be an ornament that lasts just as long as they need to be. As if some of them went on for longer they would wear out their welcome if any became a main story. They work as tidbits to build upon. Leaving the audience wanting more in some cases. It would be easy to call this film episodic.

At first it is hard to completely understand the dialogue due to the accents. Though eventually we in the audience get used to it and the dialogue spoken becomes clear.

Most of the fun of the film is how each stories details and characters wield and influence one another

The movie is is often quite hilarious. Which catches you off guard, but feels natural. Though I will admit throughout the film he mood and humor is very dark. The film can be surprisingly brutal even to It's female characters. The film is also far from Being politically correct. It's dark comedy doesn't really provide or require any moral center.

Through it all though the whole ensemble is good. Shirley Henderson is the standout as she is a dynamic and versatile actress. In this film she bears the punishment as one of the most put upon characters as her character suffers from a devastating break up and becomes reclusive. After seeing her in supporting roles in other films. This role is the one I always come back to as a reference point for her.

Colin Farrell's character drifts into most of the characters loves in one way or another. His role is vital and you can tell he is having fun.

Colm Meany here is a character. That is familiar for him, who is boastful but ineffective seeing himself as a Dirty Harry type, but more of a joke. Who proves to be his own downfall in his ham fisted pursuit of Colin Farrell's character

What is impressive is that this was during his the next best thing period in Hollywood and he came back to his homeland to make this ensemble film. Not starring him. In fact he is more in a supporting role. He always seems to excel in these more independent films. Rather then the Hollywood by products he stars in every so often. As in this and these films he seems to be more relaxed and has a chance to really create and be a three dimensional character.

The film keeps itself low key, but never boring. In fact It stays exciting most of the time. Though it is a film full of ideas. That seems a bit too full, but provides that in life the world is never singular. The film never comes off as false. The characters and situations feel real, lived in and fully realized.

The film feels far ranging though it stays domestic.

The film is inventive and simple. It's a gem that comes out of nowhere. The casting is spot on perfect. Even if at times I always feel Cillian Murphy is too pretty for most of the roles that he chooses. Him and his looks really work in this Role and for his character in the film.

My favorite tale in this film other then the girl with the mustache (Shirley Henderson). Is the woman who is abusive to her lover after her divorce. It's romantic, cruel, perverse, romantic, dark and hilarious.

Though the film can be rough. It is not as nasty as it could be. Though there are no sacred cows. As even innocent women are physically assisted

GRADE: B