Brilliant film. One adults and children can see and enjoy. Dramedy at it's best. Not heavy handed about the larger themes. Music is just fantastic,sly and recalls famous westerns, but not intrusively. The color of the film looks like the period too. 1970's Belfast. The whole thing is done very well. I had trouble understanding the Northern Ireland thick accents at first -then just went along for the ride. The kids were so believable and the adults especially Julie Walters, Cirain Hinds and Susan Lynch worked with the kids, they seemed like real parents. Why didn't we get to see this in the U.S.? Accents? Saw this in UK and waited for it to come to US. Anyone know where I can get a copy?

I watched this film not knowing what to expect... and it was a great surprise!! The story's two main characters, Mickybo and Jonjo, are terrific actors who surely have great careers ahead of them. They play the parts so well anyone would have trouble not identifying with their vivid imagination, excitement and refreshing naivety when they were their age. I also think writer and director, Terry Loane, has manged to incorporate Ireland's troubled history without making it too much a part of the film so as to spoil what is an excellent story in its own right. I am only disappointed, though, that this film has not made much of an impact in the UK. Especially with tag lines stating that this film comes from the makers of Billy Elliott and starring Julie Walters, Adrian Dunbar, Ciaran Hinds and Gina Mckee, I would have thought this film would have been pushed a lot more, however I am sure you will enjoy the film as much as I did!

Just take it as it is. Too many people are judgmental.I don't see why this movie did not rate higher. Not all bad came out of that period during the 70's. I expected it to end badly but it did have an upturn at the end. I thank the people who voted in more for its favor.My only complaint was I could not understand the speech patterns of the kids.I am going to try and find out more about it on the net to see more about the two fine boy actors.It did have a few scenes that were out of place but I still rate it 10 in my book.

Yes, what a great film. The only film I've ever seen that has prompted me to do a Google search and post a message!! The young actors do a fine job, supported by the big names and the great scenery. Nostalgic yes, but realistic also.I thought it was good how they dealt with the Northern Irish situation without making it feature in every scene as some have done. I noticed religion was only mentioned once at the beginning, but the characters aren't defined by it. The scene towards the end of the handover at the border is very true, as an outsider coming into Northern Ireland I have seen how some perceive it as akin to the Berlin wall, whereas in reality it is quite insignificant. I think both boys act in a way that reflects the way their fathers treat them, you can see some of Mickybo's father in the way he tells off Jonjo on the stairs in the old house. And later, Jonjo reflects on his fathers affair and how he doesn't wish to return home to it, (after the hay fire).While not taking sides, I think the ending summed up how the problems of Northern Ireland have continued, the way friendships change after tragic events, the facts become distorted (who stole the bike), and peer pressure dictating who you associate with.Well done to film team.Regards, Dan.