Michael Connolly (Steven Robertson) suffers from cerebral palsy. He lives quietly in an assisted living home. His speech is mumbled by his handicap. One day, rebellious Rory O'Shea (James McAvoy) arrives. He suffers from muscular dystrophy and he seems to be only one who actually understands Michael. The two begin a friendship. They party and meet Siobhan (Romola Garai). Rory struggles against a panel to receive his Independent Living Allowance. Despite personal issues, Michael asks for money from his father. They hire Siobhan to be their caretaker.I love the friendship between Michael and Rory. There is a problem with Michael. He's perfectly fine but his mumble does slow down the interactions sometimes. It would have also been great to have a disabled actor play Michael. It's an added bonus that would make this stand out. Romola Garai is enchanting. The movie needs more of her and give her character more story. This is a good movie and it could be even better.

Irish screenwriter and director Damien O'Donnell's third feature film which was written by Jeffrey Caine after a story by Irish writer Christian O'Reilly, is an Ireland-France-UK co-production and was shot in Dublin and the country town Wicklow in Ireland. It tells the story about Michael Connely, a 24-year-old man with Cerebral palsy who lives at a Residential Home for the Disabled called Carrigmores nearby Dublin. Michael lives a quiet life and doesn't say much, but his life is turned upside down the day Rory O'Shea arrives at Carrigmores. Rory's rebellious attitude and quick-witted humor awakens Michael's spirit, and when Rory let's him in on a plan that could get them both a place of their own he immediately agrees. Rory's plan works out fine and they move in together in an apartment in Dublin. Michael and Rory are pleased with their new life, but their friendship is conflicted when they hire a young woman named Sioban to assist them in their new home.Subtly and engagingly directed by Irish filmmaker Damien O'Donnell, this humane and humorous tale, draws a profoundly moving portrayal of a bonding friendship between two disabled young men who tries to find a way out of an institution in order to gain a certain degree of independence. While notable for it's naturalistic milieu depictions, the fine cinematography by Irish cinematographer Peter Robertson and the great score by English musician and composer David Julyan, this empathic and incisive drama depicts two in-depth and intertwining studies of character about two young men whose only wish is to experience the things other same-aged people do and who finds themselves in an afflicting dilemma when they fall in love with the same woman. This character-driven, dialog-driven and finely paced independent film which examines poignant themes, is impelled and reinforced by the heartfelt and impressive acting performances by Scottish actor James McAvoy, Scottish actor Steven Robertson in his debut feature film role and English actress Romola Garai. A compassionately written and memorable film which gained, among other awards, the Audience Award at the 58th Edinburgh International Film Festival in 2004 and the People's Choice Award for Best Irish Film at the 2nd Irish Film and Television Awards in 2005.

Maybe a little late in the day, but I have just watched 'Inside I am Dancing' it was on ITV 3 and I recorded it for when there was nothing else to watch. I have to say Excellent,So So Excellent! the tears are steaming down my face and I can not stop thinking about it.This is what a good film is! Not predictable like bloody aliens and horrors, same old same old! This was sad, real, funny, emotional, true to life, there was such an excellent sense of humour between Rory and Michael. All so cleverly done and well researched, by the end of the film you could almost understand Michael so very well portrayed. It was so refreshing to see such a true to life film so well made and well acted. I would say it is suited more for the girls than the guys, only because most guys do not show their emotions! I loved it even more as I was brought up in Ireland and so loved the accents and sense of humour also spotted a few places in Dublin I knew. Where can I see more films like this. Pure pure brilliance.

To be honest I nearly skipped over this film, thinking that I wasn't in the mood for something slow pace, overly poignant and mundane! It was really only on the off chance that I thought I should at least give it a try.Straight away with the arrival of Rory O' Shea to the screen, I was drawn into the story! The connection between the leading characters of the film was intense. And Rory's father really brings an odd vibe into the film, giving an uncanny depth to the lead characters situations and disabilities!The greatest feature of the film, however, in my eyes, was the way in which the director took the film! The total lack of subtitles for Michael Crowley's difficulties to communicate orally was a different stroke from how a normal approach to dealing with this story would have been taken! This little feature was, in my estimation set the movie apart as a truly great.That spark and the tremendous acting, collaborative spirit, the plot (often exciting in moments and infinitely far from mundane) in the movie and the strong finish all contributed to me scoring this so highly!I'm rare to give tens - because I feel its the needle in a haystack that deserves a ten. But I feel comfortable doing so in this case! Very enjoyable movie. Watch it.