The Butcher Boy **** (1997, Stephen Rea, Fiona Shaw, Eamonn Owens, Sean McGinley, Ian Hart, Brendan Gleeson, Sinéad O’Connor, Milo O’Shea) – Classic Movie Review 794

This story of innocence undone comes from the director of Michael Collins, Mona Lisa (1984), The Crying Game (1992) and Interview with the Vampire (1994). Writer-director Neil Jordan’s 1998 film The Butcher Boy is one of this fine film-maker’s best movies.

It’s an extraordinary, ultra-disturbing portrait of a disturbed wee Irish lad called Francie Brady (Eamonn Owens), who turns to tragic violence. There’s a marvellous performance by the lad and spot-on handling by the director, who co-wrote the thoughtful, intelligent screenplay with the author of the original novel, Pat McCabe.

When his mother commits suicide and his friend Joe (Alan Boyle) goes off to boarding school, Francie is troubled by his violent, alcoholic father (Stephen Rea) and a nasty neighbour called Mrs Nugent (Fiona Shaw). He falls dangerously into paranoia and visions of the Virgin Mary.

Sean McGinley, Peter Gowen, Andrew Fullerton, Aisling O’Sullivan, John Kavanagh, Ian Hart, Brendan Gleeson, Sinéad O’Connor and Milo O’Shea give notable performances and the film’s one and only weak spot is the off-key performance of Fiona Shaw. Rea is credited only for playing Pa Brady, but he also plays the adult Francie.

Milo O’Shea, known for his roles in the cult classic Barbarella, Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet (1968), The Verdict and Ulysses (1967) died on April 2 2013, aged 86.

© Derek Winnert 2041 Classic Film Review 794 derekwinnert.com