Inside I'm Dancing (2004)

Director:

Damien O'Donnell

Writers:

Jeffrey Caine (screenplay)
Christian O'Reilly (story)

Release Date:

15 October 2004 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Live life like you mean it.

Plot:

When the kinetic Rory moves into his room in the Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled, his effect on the home is immediate. Most telling is his friendship with Michael, a young man with cerebral palsy and nearly unintelligible speech. Somehow, Rory understands Michael, and encourages him to experience life outside the confines of home.

Plot Keywords:

Cerebral Palsy | Unintelligible | Friendship | Love | Rain

Awards:

4 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Steven Robertson	...	Michael Connolly
Alan King	...	Tommy
Brenda Fricker	...	Eileen
Ruth McCabe	...	Annie
James McAvoy	...	Rory O'Shea
Anna Healy	...	Alice
Tom Hickey	...	Con O'Shea
Sarah Jane Drummey	...	Girl in Pub
Rachel Hanna	...	Girl in Pub
Emmet Kirwan	...	Angry Man
Romola Garai	...	Siobhan
Pat Shortt	...	Nightclub Doorman
Stanley Townsend	...	Interview Panelist
Derbhle Crotty	...	Interview Panelist
Donal Toolan	...	Interview Panelist

Also Known As:

Rory O'Shea Was Here (USA)

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

UK | Ireland | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Argentina:13 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Finland:K-3 | Sweden:Btl | Germany:6 | USA:R | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Dame Street, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Company:

WT2 Productions

Trivia:

The original story was conceived by Irish writer Christian O'Reilly, inspired by his own experiences working at the Centre for Independent Living in Dublin where he worked closely with Dermot Walsh, a man who has cerebral palsy.

Quotes:

Interview Panelist: What was your purpose in coming here today?
Michael Connolly: A right must exist independently of its exercise.

Movie Connections:

References Thelma & Louise (1991)

Soundtrack:

Easy

This is Not Your Daddy's Wheelchair Movie

What a unique and risky premise: two young men, both mentally astute but almost completely disabled with MS and cerebral palsy, leave the group home environment to get their own place in search of independence, romance and excitement. This is a story of friendship, love, and self-awareness. It has less to do with handicaps than with the development and growth of two unique and memorable characters.

Damien O'Donnell's directing keeps the story moving briskly, but it's James McAvoy as the eponymous Rory O'Shea who steals the show with his bravura performance and riveting screen presence, even though he's only acting with his face and two fingers. Steven Robinson is nearly as good as Michael Connelly, the MS patient who Damien befriends at the home. It really is hard to believe these two fine actors aren't truly paralyzed. (Some of the audience thought they were.) Romola Gorai is the most likable of the bunch (how politically incorrect!) as the blonde the boys meet in a bar and convince to become their paid caretaker.

O'Donnell manages to tell this story with extraordinary grace and humor. In the process, he shatters some of our expectations about the physically handicapped, while never forgetting to entertain us. Thank you, and bravo!