Inside I'm Dancing
Encyclopedia
Inside I'm Dancing, also released under the title Rory O'Shea Was Here, is a 2004
Irish film
directed by Damien O'Donnell
(East is East
) and starring James McAvoy
, Steven Robertson
, Romola Garai
, and Brenda Fricker
. The film revolves around two disabled young men who pursue physical and emotional independence in direct defiance of "protective" institutional living and their society's prevailing standards and attitudes, especially pity
.
The production was filmed in Dublin and Wicklow
and involved production companies Working Title Films
and StudioCanal
with assistance from the Irish Film Board
(Bord Scannán na hÉireann).
) is a twenty-four-year-old with cerebral palsy
who is a long-term resident of the Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled run by the formidable Eileen (Brenda Fricker
). His life, mundane and schedule-driven by the institution's authorities, is transformed when the maverick Rory O'Shea (James McAvoy
), who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy
, suddenly moves in. Michael is stunned to discover that fast talking Rory, prone to lewd and/or overt jokes at unpredictable intervals, and who can move only his right hand, can understand his almost unintelligible speech. Rory's dynamic and rebellious nature soon sparks a flame in Michael, introducing him to the wider world outside of Carrigmore.
On a day out in Dublin led by Carrigmore collecting for "the needs of the disabled", Rory leads Michael astray, sneaking off to a local pub with their donation bucket ("This is for the NEEDS of the disabled; I'm disabled and I NEED a drink!"), charming a group of girls at a corner table at which sits Siobhán (Romola Garai
); later they see Siobhán again while traversing a neighboring nightclub
, which they get into only by Michael citing Irish and EU Disability Discrimination Law text to the bouncer
.
Rory has meanwhile repeatedly failed in his application for the Independent Living Allowance; he is always denied but told to reapply in six months. Inspired by his example Michael applies for the allowance himself; with the help of Rory as his interpreter Michael gets the allowance but they struggle to find an apartment that is both wheelchair accessible and affordable. Rory convinces Michael to visit his estranged father who, out of guilt, gives them the money and property they need to set up on their own. The two gleefully enter and settle in, but then they realize they need a Personal Care Assistant
to help them with various household movements.
They interview a collection of odd characters in their search for this care-giver with little success, but later they meet Siobhán working in a local supermarket, and try to convince her to take on the job. Despite not having any professional experience she reluctantly accepts.
Seeing that Michael and Siobhán are especially friendly to each other (although not romantically
), Rory becomes increasingly jealous of them and causes trouble to release his frustration, going so far as to take a joyride
with the local kids in a stolen car, crashing it, subsequently getting briefly detained by the police. Rory in fact shouts to the officer that "it's my Constitutional right for you to arrest me!", but instead, the officer calls Rory's parents and he is released with nary a charge, thus proving that pity
prevails in attitudes towards the disabled sometimes even when they break the law.
Siobhán invites Rory and Michael along to a costume party; Rory warns "someone might think it is his lucky night" knowing Michael has fallen hopelessly in love with Siobhán. Rory is dressed as Doctor Strangelove, Michael as a naval officer, and Siobhan is dressed in a revealing nurse's uniform. Michael dances with Siobhan but she rejects his romantic advances, and as a result of this rejection conditions in the house turn frosty and tense. Siobhan brings in Peter, a qualified Personal Assistant to replace herself, trying to do the dignified thing by not simply leaving, but Rory, in his subsequent insults to her for walking out, pushes her too far. "You know what your disability is!? You're an arsehole!" she tells him.
Meanwhile Michael is distraught over Siobhán's departure from their lives, and considering suicide; Rory finds him on the edge of the James Joyce Bridge
. Michael jokingly complains the edge is too high for him to throw himself off, and Rory talks him out of it, reminding him he has a future and to enjoy it.
Then tragedy strikes, with Michael finding Rory in his bed struggling to breathe, and calls for an ambulance. His disease having progressed, Rory is given only a few days to live.
Michael visits Siobhán and with her help goes to the review board on behalf of Rory to argue his case, another chance having come up after six months.
The board complain that Rory is a rebel who causes trouble and makes mistakes.
Michael argues that "the right must exist independently of its exercising" and as a gesture the board approve Rory's independent living allowance "in principle" but before they can get to the hospital to tell Rory the news, he has already passed on.
The film ends with Michael and Siobhan attending Rory's funeral. Michael hears in his mind Rory's words "Well, then, are we going out?" and we then see Michael heading out on his own after saying goodbye to Siobhan.
reports that 49% based on 69 reviews, with a rating average of 5.8 out of 10.
Among Rotten Tomatoes' "Top Critics", the film holds an overall approval rating of 43%, based on a sample of 21 reviews. The site's general consensus is that "The dramatic aspects of Rory O'Shea Was Here veer into mawkish, formulaic sentiment, which undercuts the characters' individuality."
Metacritic
, which assigns a weighted average score gives the film 59% based on 23 reviews.
Neil Smith
gave the film 4/5 stars but felt casting non-disabled actors undermined the film.
The film won four awards.
cover version of "Hurt". Siobhan asks Rory "Were you born like this ... dodgy hair and shit taste in music?" and plays the Cash song for him.
2004 in film
The year 2004 in film involved some significant events. Major releases of sequels took place. It included blockbuster films like Shrek 2, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Passion of the Christ, Meet the Fockers, Blade: Trinity, Spider-Man 2, Alien vs. Predator, Kill Bill Vol...
Irish film
Irish film
The Irish film industry has grown somewhat in recent years thanks partly to the promotion of the sector by Bord Scannán na hÉireann and the introduction of heavy tax breaks...
directed by Damien O'Donnell
Damien O'Donnell
Damien O'Donnell is an Irish film director and writer.He has directed East is East , Heartlands and Inside I'm Dancing , amongst others....
(East is East
East is East (film)
East Is East is a 1999 British black comedy/drama film, written by Ayub Khan-Din and directed by Damien O'Donnell. It is set in a British household of mixed-ethnicity, with a British Pakistani father and an English mother in Salford, Lancashire, in 1971...
) and starring James McAvoy
James McAvoy
James McAvoy is a Scottish stage and screen actor. He made his acting debut as a teen in 1995's The Near Room and continued to make mostly television appearances until the early 2000s. His notable television work includes State of Play, Shameless, and Frank Herbert's Children of Dune...
, Steven Robertson
Steven Robertson
Steven Robertson is a Scottish theatre and film actor.-Education:* Vidlin Primary School* Brae High School* Anderson High School, Lerwick* Fife College , Kirkcaldy...
, Romola Garai
Romola Garai
Romola Sadie Garai is an English actress. She is known for appearing in the movies Amazing Grace, Atonement, and Glorious 39, and for appearing in the BBC adaptation of Emma.-Early life:...
, and Brenda Fricker
Brenda Fricker
Brenda Fricker is an Irish actress of theatre, film and television. She had appeared in more than 30 films and television roles...
. The film revolves around two disabled young men who pursue physical and emotional independence in direct defiance of "protective" institutional living and their society's prevailing standards and attitudes, especially pity
Pity
Pity originally means feeling for others, particularly feelings of sadness or sorrow, and was once used in a comparable sense to the more modern words "sympathy" and "empathy"...
.
The production was filmed in Dublin and Wicklow
Wicklow
Wicklow) is the county town of County Wicklow in Ireland. Located south of Dublin on the east coast of the island, it has a population of 10,070 according to the 2006 census. The town is situated to the east of the N11 route between Dublin and Wexford. Wicklow is also connected to the rail...
and involved production companies Working Title Films
Working Title Films
Working Title Films is a British film production company, based in London, UK. The company was founded by Tim Bevan and Sarah Radclyffe in 1983. It produces feature films and several television productions, including films starring comic actor Rowan Atkinson...
and StudioCanal
StudioCanal
StudioCanal is a French-based production and distribution company that owns the third-largest film library in the world...
with assistance from the Irish Film Board
Irish Film Board
The Irish Film Board is Ireland’s national film agency and major film funding body. It was recommended for abolition by the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes in 2009.-Formative years:...
(Bord Scannán na hÉireann).
Plot
Michael Connolly (Steven RobertsonSteven Robertson
Steven Robertson is a Scottish theatre and film actor.-Education:* Vidlin Primary School* Brae High School* Anderson High School, Lerwick* Fife College , Kirkcaldy...
) is a twenty-four-year-old with cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term encompassing a group of non-progressive, non-contagious motor conditions that cause physical disability in human development, chiefly in the various areas of body movement....
who is a long-term resident of the Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled run by the formidable Eileen (Brenda Fricker
Brenda Fricker
Brenda Fricker is an Irish actress of theatre, film and television. She had appeared in more than 30 films and television roles...
). His life, mundane and schedule-driven by the institution's authorities, is transformed when the maverick Rory O'Shea (James McAvoy
James McAvoy
James McAvoy is a Scottish stage and screen actor. He made his acting debut as a teen in 1995's The Near Room and continued to make mostly television appearances until the early 2000s. His notable television work includes State of Play, Shameless, and Frank Herbert's Children of Dune...
), who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a recessive X-linked form of muscular dystrophy, which results in muscle degeneration, difficulty walking, breathing, and death. The incidence is 1 in 3,000 boys. Females and males are affected, though females are rarely affected and are more often carriers...
, suddenly moves in. Michael is stunned to discover that fast talking Rory, prone to lewd and/or overt jokes at unpredictable intervals, and who can move only his right hand, can understand his almost unintelligible speech. Rory's dynamic and rebellious nature soon sparks a flame in Michael, introducing him to the wider world outside of Carrigmore.
On a day out in Dublin led by Carrigmore collecting for "the needs of the disabled", Rory leads Michael astray, sneaking off to a local pub with their donation bucket ("This is for the NEEDS of the disabled; I'm disabled and I NEED a drink!"), charming a group of girls at a corner table at which sits Siobhán (Romola Garai
Romola Garai
Romola Sadie Garai is an English actress. She is known for appearing in the movies Amazing Grace, Atonement, and Glorious 39, and for appearing in the BBC adaptation of Emma.-Early life:...
); later they see Siobhán again while traversing a neighboring nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
, which they get into only by Michael citing Irish and EU Disability Discrimination Law text to the bouncer
Bouncer (doorman)
A bouncer is an informal term for a type of security guard employed at venues such as bars, nightclubs or concerts to provide security, check legal age, and refuse entry to a venue based on criteria such as intoxication, aggressive behavior, or attractiveness...
.
Rory has meanwhile repeatedly failed in his application for the Independent Living Allowance; he is always denied but told to reapply in six months. Inspired by his example Michael applies for the allowance himself; with the help of Rory as his interpreter Michael gets the allowance but they struggle to find an apartment that is both wheelchair accessible and affordable. Rory convinces Michael to visit his estranged father who, out of guilt, gives them the money and property they need to set up on their own. The two gleefully enter and settle in, but then they realize they need a Personal Care Assistant
Personal Care Assistant
A Personal Care Assistant - variously known under alternate names such as caregiver, personal care attendant, patient care assistant, personal support worker and home care aide - is a paid, employed person who helps persons who are disabled or chronically ill with their activities of daily living ...
to help them with various household movements.
They interview a collection of odd characters in their search for this care-giver with little success, but later they meet Siobhán working in a local supermarket, and try to convince her to take on the job. Despite not having any professional experience she reluctantly accepts.
Seeing that Michael and Siobhán are especially friendly to each other (although not romantically
Romantic love
Romance is the pleasurable feeling of excitement and mystery associated with love.In the context of romantic love relationships, romance usually implies an expression of one's love, or one's deep emotional desires to connect with another person....
), Rory becomes increasingly jealous of them and causes trouble to release his frustration, going so far as to take a joyride
Joyride (crime)
To joyride is to drive around in a stolen car, boat, or other vehicle with no particular goal, a ride taken solely for pleasure.In English law, joyriding is not considered to be theft, because the intention to "permanently deprive" the owner of the vehicle cannot be proven...
with the local kids in a stolen car, crashing it, subsequently getting briefly detained by the police. Rory in fact shouts to the officer that "it's my Constitutional right for you to arrest me!", but instead, the officer calls Rory's parents and he is released with nary a charge, thus proving that pity
Pity
Pity originally means feeling for others, particularly feelings of sadness or sorrow, and was once used in a comparable sense to the more modern words "sympathy" and "empathy"...
prevails in attitudes towards the disabled sometimes even when they break the law.
Siobhán invites Rory and Michael along to a costume party; Rory warns "someone might think it is his lucky night" knowing Michael has fallen hopelessly in love with Siobhán. Rory is dressed as Doctor Strangelove, Michael as a naval officer, and Siobhan is dressed in a revealing nurse's uniform. Michael dances with Siobhan but she rejects his romantic advances, and as a result of this rejection conditions in the house turn frosty and tense. Siobhan brings in Peter, a qualified Personal Assistant to replace herself, trying to do the dignified thing by not simply leaving, but Rory, in his subsequent insults to her for walking out, pushes her too far. "You know what your disability is!? You're an arsehole!" she tells him.
Meanwhile Michael is distraught over Siobhán's departure from their lives, and considering suicide; Rory finds him on the edge of the James Joyce Bridge
James Joyce Bridge
James Joyce Bridge is a road bridge spanning the River Liffey in Dublin, Ireland, joining the south quays to Blackhall Place on the north side....
. Michael jokingly complains the edge is too high for him to throw himself off, and Rory talks him out of it, reminding him he has a future and to enjoy it.
Then tragedy strikes, with Michael finding Rory in his bed struggling to breathe, and calls for an ambulance. His disease having progressed, Rory is given only a few days to live.
Michael visits Siobhán and with her help goes to the review board on behalf of Rory to argue his case, another chance having come up after six months.
The board complain that Rory is a rebel who causes trouble and makes mistakes.
Michael argues that "the right must exist independently of its exercising" and as a gesture the board approve Rory's independent living allowance "in principle" but before they can get to the hospital to tell Rory the news, he has already passed on.
The film ends with Michael and Siobhan attending Rory's funeral. Michael hears in his mind Rory's words "Well, then, are we going out?" and we then see Michael heading out on his own after saying goodbye to Siobhan.
Cast
- James McAvoyJames McAvoyJames McAvoy is a Scottish stage and screen actor. He made his acting debut as a teen in 1995's The Near Room and continued to make mostly television appearances until the early 2000s. His notable television work includes State of Play, Shameless, and Frank Herbert's Children of Dune...
as Rory Gerard O'Shea, a rebellious young man with Duchenne muscular dystrophyDuchenne muscular dystrophyDuchenne muscular dystrophy is a recessive X-linked form of muscular dystrophy, which results in muscle degeneration, difficulty walking, breathing, and death. The incidence is 1 in 3,000 boys. Females and males are affected, though females are rarely affected and are more often carriers... - Steven RobertsonSteven RobertsonSteven Robertson is a Scottish theatre and film actor.-Education:* Vidlin Primary School* Brae High School* Anderson High School, Lerwick* Fife College , Kirkcaldy...
as Michael Connolly - Romola GaraiRomola GaraiRomola Sadie Garai is an English actress. She is known for appearing in the movies Amazing Grace, Atonement, and Glorious 39, and for appearing in the BBC adaptation of Emma.-Early life:...
as Siobhán, a young woman they employ as a carer - Gerard McSorleyGerard McSorleyGerard McSorley is a theatre, television and an Irish film actor.-Early life:He was born in Omagh, County Tyrone, and after attending a Christian Brothers school in his hometown he attended St. Columb's College in Derry. He then attended Queen's University, Belfast, where he was taught by among...
as Fergus Connolly, Michael's father who abandoned him at birth - Tom Hickey as Con O'Shea, Rory's father
- Brenda FrickerBrenda FrickerBrenda Fricker is an Irish actress of theatre, film and television. She had appeared in more than 30 films and television roles...
as Eileen, a domineering care worker at Michael's care home - Alan King as Tommy
- Ruth McCabe as Annie
- Anna Healy as Alice
- Deirdre O'KaneDeirdre O'KaneDeirdre O'Kane originally from Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland, became a stand-up comic in 1996 and got into the finals of the BBC New Comedy Awards of that year. She has played at the Edinburgh Festival every year since including 2001 where she not only performed her own solo show, Deirdre O'Kane...
cameo as an applicant to be a Care Giver.
Critical response
Review aggregator Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
reports that 49% based on 69 reviews, with a rating average of 5.8 out of 10.
Among Rotten Tomatoes' "Top Critics", the film holds an overall approval rating of 43%, based on a sample of 21 reviews. The site's general consensus is that "The dramatic aspects of Rory O'Shea Was Here veer into mawkish, formulaic sentiment, which undercuts the characters' individuality."
Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
, which assigns a weighted average score gives the film 59% based on 23 reviews.
Neil Smith
Neil Smith
-Sports:* Neil Smith , former football player in the National Football League* Neil Smith , English cricketer...
gave the film 4/5 stars but felt casting non-disabled actors undermined the film.
The film won four awards.
Production
As noted on the film poster the film was from the producers of Bridget Jones Diary.Music
The film features the Johnny CashJohnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
cover version of "Hurt". Siobhan asks Rory "Were you born like this ... dodgy hair and shit taste in music?" and plays the Cash song for him.
- "Beat for Two" performed by ElbowElbow (band)Elbow are an English rock band. They have played together since 1990 and recorded five studio albums, the most recent of which is Build a Rocket Boys!, released in March 2011...
- "Frontier Psychiatrist" performed by The AvalanchesThe AvalanchesThe Avalanches are an Australian electronic music group formed in 1997 with mainstays Robbie Chater on keyboards, Tony Diblasi on keyboards, bass and backing vocals, and Darren Seltmann on vocals and keyboards. They are known for their live DJ sets and their debut album Since I Left You , which was...
- "Hurt" written by Trent ReznorTrent ReznorMichael Trent Reznor is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer, and leader of industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. Reznor is also a member of How to Destroy Angels alongside his wife, Mariqueen Maandig, and Atticus Ross. He was previously associated with bands Option 30,...
(Nine Inch NailsNine Inch NailsNine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
), performed by Johnny Cash - "Look of Love" performed by Dusty SpringfieldDusty SpringfieldMary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'BrienSources use both Isabel and Isobel as the spelling of her second name. OBE , known professionally as Dusty Springfield and dubbed The White Queen of Soul, was a British pop singer whose career extended from the late 1950s to the 1990s...
- "Easy" performed by Groove ArmadaGroove ArmadaGroove Armada is an English electronic music duo from London, England comprising Andy Cato and Tom Findlay. They are perhaps best known for their singles "I See You Baby" and "Superstylin'"...
External links
- Inside I'm Dancing at All Movie GuideAll Movie GuideAllrovi is a commercial database launched by the Rovi Corporation in 2011. It compiles information about music and movies from the former services Allmovie and Allmusic.-Content:...
- Inside I'm Dancing official site, archived copy from 2006 provided by the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...