Falling for a Dancer (1998) User Reviews

Irish version of Pride and Prejudice

[aiu · 8/10 · 16 May 2006]

This movie is quite nice; it has beautiful landscapes and very convincing actors; and the best part of it is when the viewer starts to discover the similarities with Pride&Prejudice by Austen.

But it still stands on its own; even if some character development is a little bit implausible.

Elisabeth Dermot-Walsh does a great job, and so does Liam Cunningham, whose expressive looks haunt you even after the end of the movie.

Still, the point (or moral) of the whole movie is not so obvious. Could it be that "hapiness could be found in the darkness of places" or rather that if you take a great novel, like P&P and transform it into a story with murder and violence, you might still get away without the viewers asking what is the point.

A little-known gem from Ireland

[catnapbc · 8/10 · 16 April 2023]

I have to agree with other reviewers that this Irish movie is above average. Although it's not a recent production, it's certainly worth tracking down. I got my copy via my public library. The actors, the dialogue and the storyline are top-notch. Add to that the bleak landscape and realistic handling of this isolated location, and you can really 'feel' how difficult it was for our young female lead character. Each character was fully realized and even the children were very well portrayed. A very mature and intelligent approach to a timeless story of young, naive infatuation and how the 'land' and community can shape your life. I was truly impressed by the solid acting, especially by the main protagonists. The pace was perfect and the emotions this story hit upon were subtly yet authentically presented. Kudos for this little-known movie/mini-series.

Loved This Movie!!!

[TamiNeff · 10/10 · 16 June 1999]

Loved this movie! This adaptation of the Deirdre Purcell novel runs approximately 190 minutes and is worth every second. In the beginning of the film, Elizabeth Sullivan has her first romance with an actor in a traveling show and finds herself pregnant and the actor long gone. Her parents, wanting to avoid embarrassment, consult their priest for advise and he comes up with a recently widowed older man with young children who needs a wife. Left with few options, Elizabeth, played beautifully by newcomer Elisabeth Dermot-Walsh, marries this stranger and endures a life much harder than the privileged one she left. Her husband, Neeley, treats her like property he's paranoid of losing, but not especially cherished property.

Watching from the hill above is Neeley's cousin, Mossie Sheenan (Liam Cunningham). Neeley inherited his farm from Mossie's father, who died when Mossie was very young and probably before he could change his will to leave the place to his son - a situation that has caused bad blood between them. This has Elizabeth misinterpreting just about everything Mossie does as being motivated by a desire to either cause Neeley trouble or to regain his land.

There isn't much more we can tell without giving away too much, but this movie has everything you can hope for . . .a great story, beautiful scenery, haunting music, and WONDERFUL ACTING. Liam Cunningham gives a powerful performance as the brooding Mossie Sheehan. As a man of few words in most of the movie, he had to tell the viewer most of what his character is feeling through his eyes, facial expressions, and body language, and actors who can handle such a task this well are rare and deserving of praise.

Beautiful, engaging film

[theprovinces · 23 December 2002]

This is a wonderfully acted story of young Irish Catholic girl who is compelled to marry an unattractive widower(her only other option is a horrifying workhouse) after she's become pregnant (the proverbial one-night-stand) with a traveling actor.

Elisabeth Dermot Walsh (the young woman) and Liam Cunningham (neighbor and cousin-in-law) are absolutely delightful and maintain the viewer's interest throughout. The production is also beautiful. Dermot Walsh as a "dutiful" wife forced in a dreary loveless marriage is fantastic -- her disastrous flirtation at a local dance is actually understandable, given the stark circumstances that surround her. Cunningham conveys everything through his eyes and convincing acting. They're stunning and memorable.

Lovely, highly entertaining story.

Beautiful movie

[karen_a_k · 10/10 · 21 May 2005]

This film is beautiful, interesting and very moving.

The story of a young girl that gets pregnant by an actor in a traveling theatrical company and is married off to a 40 year old widower to avoid scandal.

The 3 hours grant enough time for the story to unfold itself without hurry. Characters have time to be developed properly. The landscape has time to grow on you.

All the actors really deserve praise for this. Especially Liam Cunningham and Elisabeth Dermot-Walsh. Eleanor Methven should be mentioned too.

Although this film is now sold as a Colin Farrell vehicle, his role is really very small - although certainly one of his best.

I give this movie 10/10 and really cannot understand why it is that underrated here.

I liked this movie so much I want very much to see it again. I would definitely buy it!

[jobild · 10/10 · 9 March 2005]

I surfed my way to this movie one day by accident, and the breathtaking scenery of Ireland caught my attention. After a very short time I was lost in the story and the characters. I enjoy movies that take me to other places and other times, and this one does both. This was a grand story, full of the passions that cause both tragedy and happiness for it's people. The location was so well represented that it left a feeling in me that I had actually been to Ireland. We seldom see stories of with such a sweeping scope in a made-for-television movie. I saw this movie over 4 years ago and have been waiting ever since then to see it again, as I did miss the first half hour or so of it. The many people in this film are so real, so well fleshed out, that the author is to be congratulated as well as the marvelous cast, of which none were known to me, and being new faces were all that much more real to me. I recommend it without hesitation that anyone who enjoys a real romance, full of difficulties, trials and misunderstandings that get in the way of all who seek happiness in life.

Love can blind you and finally fulfill you

[clotblaster · 9/10 · 2 December 2005]

Beautiful film set in Ireland (coastline) in the 1930's. The story of various people who bravely hardships and significant problems. The main character, a young woman, manages a top-notch performance in a very difficult role. The film shows the callous and brutal side of people, as well as the lovely and the courageous side. The scenery is gorgeous and the isolated setting, appropriate to the story is also menacing. I watched in awe as I participated in the lives of people in a different world than mine struggle and endure. The problems and the often transient joys are universal and should apply to everyone. "Times change. People never do." Please do yourself a favor and see this 200 minute four part series. I was able to check it out of our local library, but I highly recommend buying it if you can't find it anywhere.

engaging story of depression era Ireland

[cmann · 21 February 2003]

Falling for a Dancer is a story that transcends time and place. Set in rural Ireland during the depression, it depicts a young woman pregnant and forced into a loveless marriage of a man who needed a mother for his brood.Hard work and many pitfalls,including widowhood, she is loved from afar by her neighbour, a caring decent man. Mossie has incredible passion for Beth, he is longing to be noticed by her, loves her children and behaves like a devoted neighbour.....attentive, helpful and practical, yet she is oblivious I loved the way church parish life was the centre of the community in the story. When Beth's daughter became pregnant in much the same way the mother did, Beth goes first to the local priest to tell him the news, not for help but to say they intend to manage and continue church attendance. Beth reacted to the daughter's news by saying " we will be legends in our own lifetime " How refreshing for a 15 year old mother - to - be, to be told to walk tall coimng out of church. Falling for a Dancer had just the right amount of realism, regret and romance. It is a rich story well told. Great ending too Congratulations to all the cast Highly recommended Catherine Cromwell. New Zealand

this is a fantastic love story!

[emo85 · 10/10 · 21 July 2006]

i have to say i really loved this TV series. when it was first shown in Ireland back in 1998 it was very well received and still is to this day.

having read the book, i realise that there are some significant changes. however, these changes do not come across in the story told on screen and i think that Deirdre Purcell did well in adapting her book to the screen.

the acting in this series is well done by all involved especially in the roles of mossie sheehan and kitty scollard.

i would recommend anyone to watch this series.

What has Sectarian trouble got to do with Falling For a Dancer

[Larkrise · 10/10 · 16 April 2007]

I loved this mini series when it came out in 1998 here in Ireland, Liam Cunningham was brilliant as Mossie Sheehan and Elizabeth Dermot-Walsh was very good as Lizzie. This mini series had nothing to do with past troubles in Northern Ireland there are no politics and not much religion mentioned and i am sure that Ireland was not the only country in the world that looked down on women who got pregnant outside marriage so to suggest that we are still some backward country like it may have seemed fifty years ago like a reviewer from Australia who claimed to visit here when i would like to know is stupid. Getting Back to Falling for a Dancer if you like old fashion romance with tragedy mixed in this is definitely worth a look.

One of the Best British Mini Series

[e4449 · 10/10 · 31 January 2010]

My wife and I have watched nearly every British mini series of the last 15 years or so and just saw this gem. It has everything you want: acting, photography, scenery and above all an excellent script. Set in Ireland before WWII and after, it shows us a part of Ireland that we had never seen before. I will not spoil the ending but will say the ending was very appropriate and extremely well earned by the characters. All of the actors were believable and there were very many. Colin Farrell appears early in his career and does a great job as a love struck youth. Elisabeth Dermot-Walsh was outstanding in a very difficult role and again this is one of her earliest performances. My wife and I give this one our highest rating!!!

buying Movie "Falling for a Dancer:

[zelda-mck-1 · 10/10 · 10 May 2006]

Can anyone tell me where I might be able to order or buy this movie - either on VHS or DVD? many thanks Fabulous movie - great acting by both main Actors: Elisabeth Dermot-Walsh,who played Elizabeth and Liam Cunningham who played Mossie Sheehan. I was totally transported back in time. I felt I was taking on every emotion they were feeling. What a great pair of actors - to make you feel exactly the part they were playing. Great song to go with movie - "Its only make believe" Awesome scenery. Definitely cant be faulted. Its been a very long time since I have watched a movie I can totally appreciate and thoroughly enjoy. It is deserving of its score.

Excellent

[Mike-835 · 17 July 1999]

This is a superb mini-series based on the book by Deirdre Purcell. Based in rural Ireland in the 1920s/ 30s, it explores many of the strong cultural influences at the time regarding the family, the importance of land, taboos about extramarital pregnancy etc. It depicts the difficulty faced by Lizzie (Elisabeth Dermot-Walsh) in turning from a young urban woman to the wife of an older rural man (Dermot Crowley), her struggle with her sexuality and ultimately her developing relationship with Mossie (Liam Cunningham).

Excellent performances are particularly given by Liam Cunningham and Elisabeth Dermot Walsh, and both of these are names to watch for in the future.

Magnificent

[pbanas · 10/10 · 9 February 2003]

I have watched Falling For A Dancer three times but have watched the last episode at least twenty times. Liam Cunningham is a wonderful actor. He is very handsome and exciting to watch. I guess you would say that I am a little bit obsessed with him. I think Liam is the same type of person in real life. Very kind,passionate and just a good human being. I am looking forward to seeing Liam in some of his other movies but I don't think any would compare with the way I feel about this movie.

Regards

Pat Banas

County Cork Revisited

[hexa-2 · 9/10 · 13 June 2003]

This series goes a long way to explain why millions of people emigrated from Ireland ( North and South) for over a hundred years. Firstly the weather (it is always raining), secondly the religious intolerance and finally the absolute hopelessness of ever achieving any sort of a decent standard of living. My Dad was from Belfast in the North and he refused to go back (even for a visit) because he knew that it wouldn't have changed. Don't think it isn't in the interests of the powers that be ( In Dublin and London) to keep promoting sectarian violence. Yes, I have been to Ireland, this isn't just a comment from someone who has never left Australia!

A beautiful story.

[peterg-pg-199-910996 · 10/10 · 2 March 2022]

A beautifully made series with fine acting all round but in particular Liam and Elisabeth the two main characters. The scenery and sets were remarkable and I found the ending quite inspiring.

Really Good

[tracee · 21 January 1999]

This came on Romance Classics one Sunday and before it came on they showed a preview on it. So, I thought I knew what it was going to be about when it started. But it was a really captivating story that exceeded my expectations. I wish I had taped it, it was that good. It's a multi-level story which I found made it even more enjoyable. I really loved the dress that Elizabeth wore for a scene in the movie. You'll have to see it to know what I mean and I hope that you do.

The sheep outshined the rest of the cast

[roxy_stardust · 23 February 2003]

I saw about forty minutes of this film whilst channel-flicking and kept watching because it was so unutterably dreadful. All things Irish got a good flogging; everyone seemed to be called Danny or Seamus and people carried sheep around. I ask you.

Good to rent for a laugh if you want to bore someone on a date.