Gabrielle Reidy Movies
The subject of one of Johannes Vermeer's most enduring portraits becomes the focus of this biographical period piece from director Peter Webber. Girl With a Pearl Earring is told from the point of view of Griet (Scarlett Johansson), a teenaged girl who leaves her family's care in the country to become a servant for the Vermeer household in the comparatively bustling, canal-laden burgh of Delft. When she arrives, she finds herself at the low end of the servant totem pole, until she's allowed to clean "the master's" painting quarters. There, she catches the eye of the taciturn, reclusive Vermeer (Colin Firth), and over a period of time, he begins to craft her portrait. Of course, this does little to further his relationship with his jealous, pregnant wife, Catharina (Essie Davis), or with his most vocal benefactor, van Ruijven (Tom Wilkinson), who often dictates what portraits Vermeer should paint. Meanwhile, Griet navigates a sweet, tentative relationship with a peasant boy her age (Cillian Murphy). Girl With a Pearl Earring had its North American premiere at the 2003 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Colin Firth, Scarlett Johansson, (more)
Devastated by the recent death of his best friend, a successful London publisher travels to the countryside determined to find true meaning in his life. Charlie (Jason Flemyng) is a thirty-something publisher with a high-paying job and a beautiful girlfriend. Yet despite having all the creature comforts, Charlie can't help but feeling something is missing from his life. When his best friend dies, Charlie gets in his car and heads for the countryside. Upon checking into a lonely hotel with a landlocked lighthouse, Charlie encounters a series of extraordinary, everyday people who will change his life forever, including an ethereal waif named Grace (Kirsty Mitchell) who has been awaiting the arrival of her one true prince. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jason Flemyng, Kirsty Mitchell, (more)
Based on a pair of memoirs by her husband John Bayley, this biographical portrait of writer Iris Murdoch stars both Judi Dench and Kate Winslet as the philosophical author at different stages of her life. When the young Iris (Winslet) meets fellow student Bayley (Hugh Bonneville) at Oxford, he's a naïve virgin easily flummoxed by her libertine spirit, arch personality, and obvious artistic talent. Decades later, little has changed as the couple (now played by Dench and Jim Broadbent) keeps house, with John doting on his more famous wife. When Iris begins experiencing forgetfulness and dementia, however, the ever-doltish but devoted John struggles with hopelessness and frustration to become her caretaker, as his wife's mind deteriorates from the ravages of Alzheimer's disease. Iris earned a slew of Supporting Actor awards for Broadbent, including recognition from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, and National Board of Review. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Judi Dench, Kate Winslet, (more)
A policeman plays Good Samaritan to a visitor from Ireland, only to discover that he has a potentially deadly secret. Belfast-born Frankie McGuire (Brad Pitt) saw his father gunned down by enemy soldiers at the age of eight, and when he grew up he joined the Irish Republican Army, determined that one day his father's death would be avenged. An especially ruthless "volunteer," Frankie is responsible for the death of 13 British soldiers and 11 policemen. After a particularly bloody battle, Frankie sails to the United States in a ragged tugboat he has restored; with a huge bundle of cash, Frankie intends to buy a stock of Stinger missiles from an underground arms dealer in America, Billy Burke (Treat Williams). Upon arrival in New York, Frankie is met by a judge who is sympathetic to the IRA's cause and who arranges a place for him to stay. Using the name Rory Devaney, Frankie moves into the home of Tom O'Meara (Harrison Ford), a scrupulously honest cop. Tom is already in the midst of a personal crisis; his friend and partner Edwin Diaz (Ruben Blades) recently shot a man that he knew was unarmed in the line of duty, and while Edwin wants Tom to help him cover up the matter, Tom's conscience will not allow it. When Tom begins to realize that "Rory" is not simply a man running from the violence of his homeland, he's torn between his sympathy for Frankie's tragic childhood and his desire to see justice served and prevent needless death in Ireland. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Harrison Ford, Brad Pitt, (more)
- 1996
The religious differences that have for many years torn Northern Ireland asunder were played for laughs on the British sitcom Safe and Sound. Much of the action took place in a Belfast garage, co-owned by longtime buddies Tommy Delaney (Des McAleer) and Dougy Flynn (Sean McGinley). Despite the fact that Tommy was Catholic and Dougy was Protestant, the two men remained close chums, if a bit combative at times. Further cementing the bond between the two protagonists was Dougy's fondness for Tommy's sister, Eleanor (Michelle Fairley), a will-of-the-wisp who preferred partying to marriage. Also in the cast was Gabrielle Reidy as Tommy's ex-wife, Maggie. A Witzend production, Safe and Sound was carried by BBC1 for six half-hour episodes, seen between August 9 and September 13, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Desmond McAleer, Sean McGinley, (more)
- 1994
A young Irish lad bears witness to a miracle in this touching dramatic comedy set in a wee Irish village during 1954. Barry, a choirboy, is strongly influenced by Father McAteer. Barry finds an IRA fugitive in a barn and mistakes him for Barabbas. Father McAteer believes a miracle has occurred after Barry claims to have heard the Virgin speaking to him in the church. The naive Father believes Barry because he used language a 10 year old would not have known. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ciaran Fitzgerald, Tom Wilkinson, (more)
- 1993
The Baby of Macon is a sumptuous-looking but ultimately shallow tale of manipulation, greed, and religious fanaticism set in Peter Greenaway's favorite, the 17th century. In the city of Macon, an ugly woman suddenly bears a beautiful, healthy baby. Her fellow citizens perceive it as a wonder, with rumors circulating that she could not be the real mother of the child. Her 18-year-old virginal daughter (Julia Ormond) tries to use the situation, claiming that the baby is her own and was born as a result of an immaculate conception. The citizens start to worship the baby and the outraged Roman Catholic Church finally intervenes. Aiming at disclosure of the whole Christian mythology, which, according to Greenaway, always served to manipulate people, The Baby of Macon lacks passion or commitment. Even the much publicized violence, including an unseen multiple rape and the onscreen dismemberment of the baby, seems routine and uninspired rather than shocking. ~ Yuri German, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Julia Ormond, Ralph Fiennes, (more)
Initially conceived as a theatrical feature, but originally aired on television in the United States, Robin Hood puts slight, but effective, twists on the legendary tale. Starring Patrick Bergin in the title role, the film follows Robin and his group of bandits as they fight Prince John and save Maid Marion (Uma Thurman). This version is a little grittier than both Errol Flynn's classic movie or the contemporary extravaganza starring Kevin Costner, since Bergin is quite down-to-earth and Thurman makes Marion into a brat, not a helpless maiden. However, these qualities and the stately photography make the film quite entertaining, and it easily equals Costner's version, even if it can't match Flynn's timeless movie. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Bergin, Uma Thurman, (more)
- 1986
- R
In this suspenseful thriller, some unknown man out there has a warped mind, a warped view of sex, and an urge to kill in a very specific way. An innocent yet seductive country woman named Patricia Telling (Moira Harris) moves into a new apartment building in Dublin, where a serial killer seems to have her in his sights. The killer's m.o. is to call a woman on the phone and charm her into inviting him over. Once he's alone with her, he murders her after stripping her naked and putting her body in a certain pose. Several men are suspect because of their odd behavior: Robert (John Cavanaugh), a colleague and teacher at Patricia's school; Danny (Timothy Bottoms), who lives in the building with his wife, and the police inspector McMyler (Christopher Casenove). The question is: will the murderer will be identified before Patricia is the next victim? ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Moira Harris, Timothy Bottoms, (more)
A trio of Oscar nominations and a pair of Golden Globes went to this acclaimed romantic comedy-drama based on the play by Willy Russell. Julie Walters stars as Rita, a witty, 26-year-old working class British hairdresser who decides to seek an education at Open University. Rita needs a tutor, and she selects Dr. Frank Bryant (Michael Caine), an alcoholic college literature professor whose life is a shambles. Divorced, Bryant's new lover is now having an affair with his best friend and he's increasingly depressed, seeking solace in whisky. Bryant's domestic turmoil is mirrored by Rita's, as she has opted for college over motherhood, a source of friction between her and her husband. As Rita blooms intellectually under the tutelage of Bryant, she realizes that what she really lacks is self-confidence, not education, and a gentle romance blossoms between her and Bryant. At home, however, Rita's newfound self-respect and intelligence cause her even greater pain. Director Lewis Gilbert and writer Russell teamed again six years later on the similarly-themed Shirley Valentine (1989). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Caine, Julie Walters, (more)
