We bring you some of the best films set in Dublin’s fair city…
THE FOOD GUIDE TO LOVE is released in Irish cinemas this week, and is as much a romantic look at Dublin, as it is a love story. Since Dublin looks so darn good in THE FOOD GUIDE TO LOVE, we decided to take a look back at some of the other films set in the city, and those that made the city look great, and not so great.
ABOUT ADAM
ABOUT ADAM is a romantic comedy starring Stewart Townsend as the titular Adam. Adam is a bit of a lothario, and finds himself being all things to three women… Women who just happen to be sisters.
OK, ABOUT ADAM may cast women in fairly terrible light, and is rather reminiscent of Guy de Maupassant’s novel – and Robert Pattinson vehicle – BEL AMI, but one thing is for sure, ABOUT ADAM makes Dublin look great. The city is filled with light and pretty people living in pretty places. It was about time Dublin was shown as a trendy city, and ABOUT ADAM, for all its faults, certainly made the city look fantastic.
ONCE
Keeping the theme of Dublin as a fair city going, John Carney’s film ONCE is not only set in Dublin, but also shines the light of romance on the city.
As Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová’s characters get closer to one another, Dublin’s pretty side is reflected through the love the couple have for each other. Yes, there are some strange geographical continuity choices, but they really are only troubles that nit picky Dublin residents would pick up on…
THIS MUST BE THE PLACE
In Paolo Sorrentino’s road movie, Sean Penn plays Cheyenne, a former rock star hiding out in Dublin’s suburbs. Before he sets off to America for his father’s funeral, and a mission of revenge, Cheyenne lethargically wanders Dublin’s streets; streets that look pretty great.
THIS MUST BE THE PLACE plays up Georgian Dublin with a scene shot on Upper Mount Street, as well as some of the pretty places found in Dublin’s city centre, with scenes filmed on a street with the Aviva Stadium looming in the background. The contrast between the huge glass stadium, and the small redbrick houses shows Dublin as a place gentrified, but in touch with its heritage.
INTERMISSION
John Crowley’s film tells the interconnecting tales of several Dublin residents, from delinquents to police officers and everything in between.
Unlike some of the films we have mentioned, INTERMISSION does not always show Dublin in the most favourable of lights; fights breaking out in shopping centres and Colin Farrell’s woolly jumper and tracksuit bottoms combo showcase some of the less pretty places in the city. That said, INTERMISSION does something better than show Dublin as a great place, by showing the city’s residents as ones with courage, caring and a great sense of humour.
THE SNAPPER
THE SNAPPER is not a story of a cosmopolitan city filled with glass buildings and pretty lights. Instead, this tale of teenage pregnancy bringing scandal on the Curley family is set in some of the less gentrified parts of Dublin.
Like INTERMISSION, THE SNAPPER is a film that shows Dublin as a city filled with great people, and some scenic routes along the coast. Although Stephen Frears’ film may not showcase Dublin as a tourist haven, THE SNAPPER has become a film beloved by Dubliners and those who have spent time in the city.
Honourable mentions to: ADAM & PAUL, THE DEAD and THE ACTORS.
THE FOOD GUIDE TO LOVE is released in Irish cinemas on June 13th 2014
Words: Brogen Hayes