Spot the Corrs! (may contain spoilers)

Rating: 10/10 (16 April 2003)

As the summary says, if you look closely you can see all four members of the Irish band the Corrs as they were in their younger years. As with their current performances, Andrea steals the limelight (she actually HAS lines) but you can find them all.
I should probably also mention that this is one of my all-time favourite films. I grew up being told by my brother that I just had to see this film, and being told by my parents that I was too young (strong language etc.) Then one Christmas I finally saw it, and years later, it's still in my top five.
As a Dubliner, I was really pleased to see an accurate depiction of life here. Of course, certain things have changed in the last decade, but this film is more honest than much of the Hollywood fuelled "Oirish" stuff you see in the cinema. There have been debates on whether or not we are really like this like this, telling each other to f**k of at every opportunity. As I said, the film gives an accurate description of real life Ireland, Dublin in particular, although we're not necessarily ALL as angry as the band members. They were stressed. Just thought I'd clear that up.
Robert Arkins plays Jimmy, an unemployed Dub with a vision - to put together the hardest working band in the world. A soul band, called the Commitments. He gets together a bunch of unknown amateur musicians (including an ass of a lead singer - played brilliantly by Andrew Strong, who was amazingly only 17 at the time. His singing voice is just fantastic!) who all crave fame. The band move from woeful rehearsals to pathetic community hall gigs to being just inches from success, but rivalries within the band and the pride of certain members jeopardises everything.
The music is simply fantastic - the soundtrack is an absolute must-have. Their renditions of 'Try a little tenderness', 'Chain of Fools' and others are great. It's a shame that we never actually see Arkins singing in the film, as he does two songs on the soundtrack. His voice, like Andrew Strong, is superb. For whatever reason, if you are having trouble understanding what people are saying (hell, I found it hard sometimes!), I urge you to endure. You won't regret it, especially when the music starts up. Mustang Sally, brothers and sisters!
In all, if you're sick of Irish films that are only about the Troubles, the priests or the green pastures, then the Commitments is for you. And if you still think that 'Far and Away' and 'Darby O'Gill and the Little People' are films about the real Ireland. And if you like really great music and great comedic one-liners.
Also, if you are not yet convinced that admittedly excellent Hollywood actors like Kevin Spacey, Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt cannot hold an Irish accent to save their lives, then watch this film.
Or, if you just want to see the Corrs with bad post-80s hair, then watch this. Love the quiff, Jim!