Geraldine O'Rawe Movies

Anton Chekhov authored his novella The Duel in 1891; one of the longest of the Russian master's tales, it pits an aristocratic ne'er-do-well named Laevsky against a conceited and slightly arrogant scientist called Von Koren, and witnesses a climactic physical struggle between the two men. This film adaptation from Georgian director Dover Kosashvili follows the original text with remarkable fidelity; in it, Laevsky (Andrew Scott) clings to ephemeral pleasures such as drinking, gambling, and romancing his alluring mistress, Nadya (Fiona Glascott), in the Russian provinces -- putting all of the said pursuits far ahead of disciplined action -- but he soon grows listless and disenchanted with Nadya, falls into financial ruin, and ultimately must fight Von Koren in a vicious duel thanks to Nadya's sexual liaisons with the man. This cinematization enlists a predominantly British cast and a screenplay adaptation by Mary Bing. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

A friendship between two young people grows into a dangerous obsession in this drama based on the acclaimed stage play by Enda Walsh. Darren (Cillian Murphy) and Sinead (Elaine Cassidy) were born moments apart in the same hospital in a small Irish community. Nicknamed "Pig" and "Runt," Darren and Sinead grew up next door to each other and became inseparable friends while they were still toddlers; at the age of 16, their bond is even stronger than ever. However, Darren and Sinead also have a fondness for making trouble, and over the years Darren has developed a taste for violence; one of his favorite pranks is to have Sinead flirt with a man at the local disco, and then storm up, posing as her jealous boyfriend, and start a fight. Several people in town feel there's something not entirely healthy about Darren and Sinead's relationship, and Sinead's parents are persuaded to send her away to a school in the northern part of Ireland. Darren's attachment to Sinead grows only more intense in her absence, and in time he runs away to find Sinead and bring her back, only to discover she's made a new best friend, Mags (Tara Lynne O'Neill). Disco Pigs was the first feature from Kirsten Sheridan, whose father is veteran filmmaker Jim Sheridan. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

An embittered ex-IRA soldier and widowed father finds his efforts to keep his family together crumbling due to his own tyrannical approach to parenting in director Tom Cairns' adaptation of the novel by John McGahern. Michael Moran (Tony Doyle) has witnessed enough death and destruction to last a lifetime, and now that his wife is gone Michael is desperate to keep the family together. But Michael's daughters are bound together by fear of their brutal father, and his sons long for the day they will never have to endure another beating. As his children strike out on their own, a failed father is left to deal with his broken heart all alone. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Eoin McNamee based the screenplay for this drama on his own novel, which was itself based on real-life Protestant paramilitaries known as "The Shankill Butchers," who used the cover of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland to mask their often homicidal crimes. Set in Northern Ireland of 1975, the story opens with a killing by young psycho Victor Kelly (Stuart Townsend) and his gang, known as the Resurrection Men. The city lives in fear, and TV coverage perks the interest of journalist Ryan (James Nesbitt) and his associate Coppinger (James Ellis). Older hood McLure (Sean McGinley) hires Victor and his gang to do some dirty work, but local cop Herbie (Derek Thompson) enters the picture to put pressure on gang member Hascksaw (B.J. Hogg). As Victor's wildness escalates, Ryan uses words to weave a media myth around Victor's behavior. Meanwhile, McLure makes plans to destroy Victor. The Irish settings for this film actually were shot in Manchester, Warringon, and Liverpool. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

A 1981 hunger strike in a Belfast prison is the historical inspiration for the drama Some Mother's Son, which attempts to focus on the personal dimensions of the event through its portrayal of the families of the striking prisoners. Directed by Terry George, co-author of In the Name of the Father, the film is anchored by Helen Mirren's performance as Kathleen Quigley, an educated, thoughtful schoolteacher who feels the Irish-English conflict is remote from her life until her son is arrested for his involvement with the Irish Republican Army. Yet while she supports her son and works to save his life, Kathleen nevertheless maintains her disdain for violence. This is in great contrast to Annie Higgins, the mother of Gerard's collaborator, who wholeheartedly embraces the IRA's mission. Despite their differing philosophies, the women form an uneasy bond over the suffering of their imprisoned sons. Kathleen finds herself increasingly politicized but finds herself facing a moral dilemma when the prisoners begin a hunger strike. As Gerard's next of kin, it is her right to agree to intravenous feeding should her son enter a coma; however, many people, including Annie, would see such as an act as betrayal of the strike, leaving Kathleen with a choice between saving her son's life and respecting his cause. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi