Cast
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Colm Meaney
as Dessie Curley
Tina Kellegher
as Sharon Curley
Ruth McCabe
as Kay Curley
Eanna MacLiam
as Craig Curley
Peter Rowen
as Sonny Curley
Joanne Gerrard
as Lisa Curley
Colm O'Byrne
as Darren Curley
Ciara Duffy
as Kimberley Curley
Fionnuala Murphy
as Jackie O'Keefe
Karen Woodley
as Yvonne Burgess
Pat Laffan
as George Burgess
Virginia Cole
as Doris Burgess
Denis Menton
as Pat Burgess
Brendan Gleeson
as Lester
Ronan Wilmot
as Paddy
Crew
Director
- Stephen Frears
Producer
- Lynda Myles
Reviews
Peter McGinn
The Snpper is certainly a lively and boisterous movie. Nobody is the least bit shy about expressing their opinion loudly and often. I have watched a lot of British and Irish movies over the years, but because of the emotional delivery and spreed of their talking, I missed a lot of details in the dialogue. But also because of the emotions displayed, I always had an idea about the tenor of the conversations.
I thought a few of the subplots could have been given more screen time, but then again, they were almost always talking about the titular baby-to-be so I guess that is fair. Plus, the person who wrote the novel adapted it to the screenplay, so hr must have imported what he thought was important. (Hopefully future mothers watching the movie won’t come away thinking binge drinking during pregnancy is good for the baby and realize that yes, this is just a movie.)
But The Snapper was entertaining and that is what counts.
Jun 29, 2022
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, The Snapper examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Stephen Frears brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1993, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Snapper took approximately 11 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 91 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 123 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 2390 individual shots.
- The costume department created over 131 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 6 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 1993, when this film was released:
- The end of the Cold War was reshaping global politics.
- The internet was beginning to transform communication and information access.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Snapper shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike In the Name of the Father, which focuses more on action than character development, The Snapper subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like The Grocer's Son and Train of Life explore similar territory, The Snapper stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: August 6, 1993
- Runtime: 1h 31m
