A Film with Lots of Irish Soul

Rating: 9/10 (1 June 2004)

The Commitments is a film about a fictional band of the same name. An eclectic mix of musicians from the hardscrabble sections of Dublin, Ireland, The Commitments is a band looking for its own soul through the music of American classic artists like Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, James Brown, and Wilson Pickett (featured in a great non-cameo).
I loved this movie. It has a lot of elements I really enjoy in films:
-- a terrific ensemble cast, a mix of actors and actual musicians. -- set in Ireland, a favorite of mine. -- set in urban locales (namely Dublin and a barrage of dank and nasty pubs & alleys). -- interesting characters. -- a very funny script. -- realistic dialogue, right down to the gutter talk and innuendo. -- great music.
Overall, it's a winner in my book. 9 out of 10.