Handsome Devil, Gala Film Glasgow Film Festival 2017 review by Pat Byrne
Handsome Devil, the Irish comedy-drama was a great choice for kicking off Glasgow Film Festival, 2017
Directed by John Butler, the cast includes Irish actors Fionn O’Shea, Nicolas Galitzine, Andrew Scott (Jim Moriarty in Sherlock) and Moe Dunford.
The film tells the story of the unlikely friendship between Ned (played by Fionn O’Shea) and Conor (Nicolas Galitzine). The former is a loner and unpopular kid at a rugby mad Irish boarding school. New boy Conor, Ned’s room mate, is a serious athlete and star of the rugby team. I don’t want to say much about what transpires after the boys’ initial clash – as I hope you’ll go and see this film.
Another newcomer at the school is the inspirational English teacher, Mr Sherry, (some great acting from Andrew Scott), whose message is to stay true to yourself. He’s the polar opposite of the homophobic bullying rugby coach Pascal O’Keeffe (Moe Dunford).
The characters are all well painted, and whilst we recognise the stereotypes, what could have easily been a formulaic tale draws you in with wit and emotion. In parts humorous, the film also addresses ridicule, humiliation, issues of sexuality and the fear of not belonging, which can be key elements of school life. For a picked-upon kid, O’Shea displays a lot of strength, and neither is the super-athlete Conor, with his brooding nature, one dimensional.
The acting is excellent and Butler really succeeds with his characters; rising to the challenge of making these school boys absorbing. Less important characters are also well cast and I enjoyed this film right from the start, when the reluctant Ned is being driven to school by his father (Ardel O’Hanlon and his cold and glamourous stepmother(Amy Huberman). The quirky but reliable headmaster (Michael McElhatton) shows some depth and an unsuspectedly open mind as the film develops.
Handsome Devil buzzes along at a good pace with the help of a fabulous sound track including The Housemartins, The Undertones, Prefab Sprout and Big Star with Alex Chilton’s fabulous ‘Thirteen’.
Handsome Devil is a marvelous film with a brilliant and totally exuberant ending – I don’t think the Film Festival Gala Goers would be in any way disappointed.
Pat Byrne, February, 2017
This section: Cinema, Events, Fairs, Festivals and Fundraisers, Glasgow Film Festival 2017
Prevous page or post | Next page or post
Written by : Pat Byrne
Related Pages
- Youth Screening: Grey Gardens at GFT
- If Only I Could Hibernate
- Fantastic Machine at GFT
- Bleeding Love at GFT
- Sometimes I Think About Dying at GFT
- Glasgow May Day 2024
- Special Screenings to Mark Anniversary Year at Glasgow Film Theatre
- The Lives of Others – 35mm, Special 50 Anniversary Screening GFT
- Cinema Paradiso – Special 50th Anniversary Screening GFT
- Jean de Florette + Manon des Sources (Double-bill) – 50th Anniversary Screening GFT
- Late Night: Escape from New York
- Fellini’s Roma + Introduction
- Take 2: Kids Animations: Why’s the Sky Blue?
- Billy Connolly’s Big Banana Feet at GFT
- At the Volta with James Joyce, GFT
- WestFest 2024 Programme Launched
- WestFest Drag at the Bandstand
- Loch Winnoch Feel Good Festival 2024
- Village Music Project Lochwinnoch
- Loch Lomond SpringFest 2024
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.