Evelyn

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: December 13, 2002

DVD Release Date: April 15, 2003

Plot 411: An Irish father takes the Church and State to court in order to get his children back.

Review: In a film based on true events, Pierce Brosnan plays Desmond Doyle, an Irishman whose life is in shambles. He is out of work, his wife walks out on their family and the court takes his children away. But Doyle doesn't give up. Through the help of a local barmaid (Julianna Margulies), he secures lawyers (Stephen Rea and Aidan Quinn) who take up his case. Fighting the Church and State in an unprecedented manner is a huge undertaking to which the men commit themselves. Brosnan is very convincing as the distraught father and is able to garner so much sympathy for his cause (not that losing your children isn't enough in and of itself). The circumstances and courte are indeed ridiculous, but I suppose it was the '50s so there you go. He is also not as bad a singer as he is in Mamma Mia! This could be due to the fact that he's singing Irish ditties, drinking and not dancing. However, I digress. The actress who plays Doyle's daughter Evelyn (Sophie Vavasseur) is quite good as well and is able to demonstrate the girl's innocence, optimism and faith. While this film was mostly a drama focused on Doyle and his family, I couldn't help but enjoy the Irish countryside in some of the shots. Everything is so lush and green. No wonder it's called the Emerald Isle.

Watch It: For a father's love for his children.

Skip It: For a movie with even more social injustices involving Irish Church-run facilities in The Magdalene Sisters. Boy, those nuns are something, aren't they?