This is simply one of the best films I've seen. It's not about adrenaline fuelled action or big set pieces. It's about real life and real people. And what makes this film work is the masterful directing and the first class acting.All the main cast members pull out great performances. Michael Angarano is terrific as the lead in a career defining performance. I agree with a previous reviewer about the emotional depth in his eyes and facial expressions which are both subtle and complex but always on the money.Many things I can relate to in this movie, it's quite tragic but warm and satisfying at the same time.Watch this movie if you like films that are more real and enjoy great acting and direction.

One wonders about the reason for Desmond McKay, the father of the family being at the center of this story, going into the despair he is in, as we meet him. A dominating and stoic wife might be one of the reasons. Frustration at not being able to make a decent living for his family, or just the drink problem that has gotten the best out of his health, or just plain tiredness of seeing life get out of his control. Cole, the younger member of the family is the only one that seems to be in some kind of control. He is an excellent athlete with what appears to be a future in organized baseball. Unfortunately, his world gets out of his control when he is informed he will have to leave the catholic school he attends and go to the same public school as his brother Terry, a punk that is becoming a real problem. On top of that, his own sister Kathleen has become pregnant. The young man suffers humiliation the first day of school as Terry demands the pants Cole had borrowed without permission and has to go back home. His beginning in the new school prove to be difficult. Cole is saved when the coach, who sees the potential, decides to give him a break as a pitcher. To make matters worse, on his first date with a girl from school he makes the mistake of killing her pet bird. Cole decides to ask the owner of an Italian restaurant, Joey, to give him a break. Joey sees an eager young man trying to help his own family. Terry, who is a loose canon had another idea by wanting to rob the place in order to get the money for a new car that Cole had wrecked, with terrible consequences. Brad Gann is the man responsible for infusing credibility to this story of a working class family in South Boston. In doing so, he gets excellent acting from every one connected with the film. "Black Irish", which evidently did not get a wide distribution, or only was seen at different film festivals, was a surprise when it showed on cable recently. In a way the picture gets unfair comparison with "The Departed", and "Gone Baby, Gone", but in reality this is a drama that paints a credible situation about an Irish family in turmoil.Brendan Gleeson, the wonderful Irish actor, makes a tremendous impact with his Desmond. By underplaying his role, he gives life to this father whose own world collapses from under him. Melissa Leo, another great actress, is seen as the stoic mother, Margaret. In spite of being married to a man that has not given her a good life, she has stayed to take care of her family. Life has not been kind to either parent though.Michael Angarano, who is seen as Cole makes an excellent impression. He is a new face in the movies who will go to bigger and better things judging by his work in the movie. Tim Guiry is the rotten brother Terry, a total lost soul without showing any remorse for his actions. Emily VanCamp doesn't have much to do as the pregnant sister. Michael Rispoli, on the other hand is perfect as the good natured restaurant owner that sees goodness in an eager Cole."Black Irish" deserves to be seen by a wider audience. Brad Gann seems to be a new force to be reckoned with.

I thought for sure that Black Irish was going to be like Southie packed with crime. Turns out this movie goes for a deeper more troubling look at turmoil within in a family. That's what made this one so good. You've got the good brother who is a baseball star who has to live in the shadow of what his no good brother does as a low level street punk. The teenage sister gets knocked up bringing more shame to the family. The father is a tortured man down on his luck with a history of failure. The mother is the bread winner trying to hold the family together. All in all it's not an uplifting movie to watch. It does have heart and great acting. A gem of a movie to see.

This is a spectacularly well-paced and original drama with some incredible acting on both Angarano's and Guiry's parts. Some interesting cinematic techniques from time to time enhance the remarkable story-telling in this dark coming of age story. The bits of humor also help pull you in to a surprisingly authentic South Boston scenario. With a terrific and spirited cameo by Kevin O'Donnell, alongside a refreshing cast, the characters really outshine the stereotypes right down to the shrimp-stealing busboy. Great sets, a solid and occasionally edgy soundtrack, but what's most impressive is the strong story, which rescues you from the brink of a cliché' time and again. I happened to rent this just on word-of-mouth and can't stop reflecting on some of those haunting scenes. Think of this as a gritty Good Will Hunting with a lot more 'street cred'...and heart.