This is a film about family drama with a little bit of humor tossed in. The movie appears to have all the pieces of a decent film, yet afterwards, I couldn't help but think, "Is that all there is?"Cole (Michael Angarano) is a decent kid who attempts to lose himself in baseball. Unfortunately the family drama becomes a distraction. Mom (Melissa Leo) works for social services. Dad (Brendan Gleeson) drinks and looks for jobs in the paper. He has a secret. Terry (Tom Guiry) is the messed up older brother who has become a small time criminal. He hates his father. The sister, Kathleen (Emily VanCamp) is pregnant. She has moved out of the house. She was thinking about an abortion, but mom's guilt trip prevents it.The film progresses slowly so there are no surprises. The family, which should have come together long ago as a family, now attempts to do it after disaster has hit. The title, "Black Irish" didn't play into the film very well. This could have been anybody's family. I did not like this odd family film as much as "Another Happy Day."Parental Guide: F-bomb, no sex, no nudity.

Is this a baseball movie? Maybe. But if it isn't it certainly is a gut wrenching, laugh out loud, sob and sniffle, slice of life pic that is just magic from beginning to end movie. Simply put, this is one of the best movies that you have never heard of, and in today's age of instant gratification, that is remarkable.I have already told you more than what I knew about this movie before I rented it, and that's saying too much. Trust me. If this has piqued your curiosity, then RUN, do not walk, to your nearest video rental store and bring home a copy. You'll thank me for it. What a pleasant surprise it was. 8 out of 10

Usually I never comment. This movie makes me share coupla thoughts. Day by day we go to theaters to watch another multi-million dollar Hollywood production staring big shot names, breath-taking stunts, cutting-edge CGI and all that entertaining stuff. Black Irish has no budget (estimated $3 mln production budget is not even enough for a modest PR campaign). Neither does it big names. The movie captures you from the very beginning never let you go till the final credits. It’s pretty simple story, no big surprises, no plot twists - straight forward. The first faces I’ve seen on the screen I started right away reminiscing the next door guys I grew up with. They were pretty ordinary with same kinda problems in school, in family, out on the street. Some of them ended up not very well, others had a dream that kept’ em afoot. Sometimes it’s very good to get a post card to know where are you from. Black Irish let me take a look at those people I used to be very close to - the people I’ll never see in my life again. If you wanna see a real life “as is” not another glossy Hollywood picture or life TV show I strongly suggest you to watch it. Among other things you’ll enjoy the cast. Acting is very strong, characters are credible. This story could take place anywhere even in you neighborhood.

Black Irish is a view on the lives of a family over a period of some months. They struggle with each other over recognition, understanding, love, but always seem to fail. It could be any family, anywhere, with some bad luck. I wanted to give it a 10, but i rate too many 1's and 10's and so i try to think of reasons for deduction when i find something really good. So i came up with that this one deserves a 9 because there is no 'obvious' moralistic lesson in it. Then again, moral is subjective, so passing on this maybe i should give it extra credit, but i cant give an 11. Its just a family with bad luck.The acting of the non-celebrities is great, the story takes you into their lives, their hurt and leaves you wondering of your own family and all that ever happened.What is great about this one is that we are used to pick a bad guy, or woman, that you can put all the blame on. Hollywood usually helps steering you in doing so, but this time not. And that is more real than the designated bad man. One moment you think its the father being the bad man, then the mother, then the brother, or sister, but in the end they all do their little thing and just have or had bad luck. There is no bad man. No one is really to blame.And that is pretty insightful, yet difficult to understand, so i don't think a young audience would appreciate this movie. Its not a movie you walk away from with a smile on your face. Hence the title...Go see it.