DIR/ WRI: Paul Mercier • PROD: Fiach Mac Conghail, Cúán Mac Conghail • DOP: Ronan Fox • ED: Cúán Mac Conghail • DES: David Wilson • CAST: Brendan Gleeson, David Wilmot, Eamonn Owens, Eanna Mac Liam
Paul Mercier must have had his work cut out bringing this story to stage – such is the amount played out on a football pitch. The difficulty in portraying a footballing tale within such confines has led to a beautifully fleshed-out story and some well-rounded characters. By bringing it to celluloid he has merely added the physical picture to an already strong narrative.
Emmet Rovers appear in the doldrums, unable to shine on their mucky field, and we chart their lifting to almost-glory by dual-personality hatchet man Walter Keegan (Gleeson). The team itself is filled with wonderfully Irish personalities - from the nightclub lothario, to the Dutch Gold-drinking speed demon, to the washed up could-have-played-for-Ireland midfielder. Brought to life with Dub-tastic fervour, the language would lend it an XXX rating in the US, but here in Ireland we understand that cursing is simply a more emphatic way of saying something. Thus the movie rolls with the easy-going flow of The Snapper, drawing on richly comic flashes a là Intermission along the way.
Whilst comparisons with these distinctly Irish – and distinctly Dublin – movies are inevitable, Studs stands out as the first embodiment of the markedly male phenomenon of football in Ireland. The play leaped onto the boards during World Cup fever, sating a national thirst for glory; its screen outing comes when talk of the World Cup is salt in our wounds. The climate could then be ripe for this excellently performed story of a no-hope team from the back ends of Dublin, and their struggle to retain some semblance of pride in their sport. The writing is certainly good – though perhaps a little overly literary when 'simple' speech would have been preferable. However, the screenplay has quirky comments and 'Oirish' wit galore, and main kudos goes to the actors for their interpretations.
With a liability goalie (Gleeson's son Domhnall), Emmet Rovers looks set for humiliating defeat; meanwhile developers jingle change on the sideline awaiting the bulldozers, and crows cackle from the bare trees. The team could not be more ramshackle until manic sub Isaiah (Liam Carney) runs from the ditches prophesising a new dawn – a call taken up by the crows, and grasped by the sudden will of the men. David Wilmot, the long-suffering captain Bubbles, sighs and shrugs like a true midfielder in the mud, pulling himself up by the bootstraps when called upon. He is the conscience of the team, a true gent who welcomes the unusual Keegan, argues for his unorthodox methods, and defends his vague past. Bubbles forges onwards, while hard nut teammate Eanna MacLiam carries them through on a curse and a prayer.
Stepping up to the challenge of a lifetime, the team fight in hilarious Mighty Duck-esque fashion, attacking team after team with their newfound confidence. The film wonderfully engages, making you cheer Emmet Rovers along on their journey and follow their every misstep. Despite some overkill on narration, an irritating soundtrack, and a sometimes-wordy script, Studs stands up with the best of Irish movies, and is a proudly simple tale of football hardship overcome.
Sarah Griffith
Studs is released on 16th March 2006.
