The Last of the High Kings [Summer Fling] ***½ (1996, Jared Leto, Gabriel Byrne, Catherine O’Hara, Christina Ricci, Colm Meany, Stephen Rea, Lorraine Pilkington, Emily Mortimer) – Classic Movie Review 4666

Co-writer/ director David Keating’s 1996 Irish comedy drama little winner is appealing and intelligent, with a beautifully crafted script by Keating and Gabriel Byrne.

This surprisingly sweet Irish tale is lit up with a cute acting turn by Jared Leto as a pensive teenage lad called Frankie Griffin, who comes of age by coming to terms with the oddness of life, and in particular his self-obsessed, narcissistic actor father (Gabriel Byrne) and weird Protestant mother (Catherine O’Hara) in 1977 Dublin. Frankie has finished his last school exams and spends he summer organising a beach party and lusting after two girls.

The splendid Catherine O’Hara makes a whole lot out of her role. Also in the cast are Christina Ricci, Colm Meany, Stephen Rea, Lorraine Pilkington, Emily Mortimer, Jason Barry and Ciaran Fitzgerald.

Leto was already 25, making his second feature. He is an Oscar winner for Dallas Buyers Club (2013).

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 4666

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