Inside I'm Dancing

Inside I’m Dancing 2004

• Director: Damien O’Donnell
• Based on book: no.
• Cast: James McAvoy, Steven Robertson, Romola Garai, Brenda Fricker, Ruth McCabe, Tom Hickey, Stanley Townsend
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• James McAvoy – X-Men etc, Victor Frankenstein, Filth, The Last Station, Wanted, Atonement, Becoming Jane, Starter for 10, The Last King of Scotland, Macbeth Re-Told, Bright Young Things
• Steven Robertson – Doctor Who, Bletchley Circle, The Tourist, Brighton Rock, Hustle, Elizabeth the Golden Age, Kingdom of Heaven
• Romola Garai – Suffragette, Glorious 39, King Lear, Atonement, Amazing Grace, As You Like It, Daniel Deronda
• Brenda Fricker – Stone of Destiny, Tara Road, Moll Flanders, My Left Foot, The Quatermass Conclusion
• Ruth McCabe – Victoria and Abdul, Philomena, Good Vibrations, Titanic Town, Circle of Friends, Takin’ over the Asylum, My Left Foot
• Tom Hickey – The Butcher Boy, Circle of Friends, My Left Foot
• Stanley Townsend – The Hollow Crown, Quirke, One Chance, Sherlock, Happy-Go-Lucky, Hustle, The Libertine, Moll Flanders, In the Name of the Father
• Why? It’s so good
• Seen: Once before. Now 28 December 2019      

       To a Special Home for Special People, most in wheelchairs, most unable to speak or care for themselves, comes Rory O’Shea (McAvoy), also in a wheelchair, with the use of two fingers and his mouth. He has a ring in his nose, spiky bleached hair, an aggressive and rebellious attitude and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

       He immediately causes severe havoc in the home, but he is the only one who can understand Michael (Robertson) who has severe cerebral palsy. They become friends. Rory gets Michael into pubs, discos and trouble.

       Through cleverness, cheek and emotional blackmail they attain Independent Living – their own flat, completely handicap friendly, and a full time assistant, the sceptical but feisty Siobhan (Garai).

       Are you now prepared for a string of clichés? Heart-warming, heart-breaking, laughter, tears, brilliant acting. Any comparison to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is gross libel. This is so much better.

       Do not miss this gem.

      

5 * of 5