REDEMPTION OF A ROGUE

Ireland, 2020, 95 minutes, Colour.

Aaron Monaghan , Aisling O'Mara, Kieran Roche, Pat McCabe, Hugh B. O'Brien, Liz Fitzgibbon, Lorna Quinn.

Directed by Philip Doherty.

This film has been written and directed by prolific Irish playwright, Philip Doherty. And it is set in County Cavan, the county of origin of the director.

The film is very Irish, accent, language, intonations, black humour… And, the film relies on some of its Irish Catholic background, the biblical references, the specific focus on redemption, the image of the Prodigal Son, the return home, the church and the priest, rituals, the Passion and an ironic presentation of a statue of the Virgin Mary coming alive, somewhat raucously.

Aaron Monaghan plays Jimmy Cullen, troubles in the past with his family, harsh father (with flashbacks in 16mm format illustrating the history of the past). The father dies, the stipulation that the funeral be held when the rain stops but, with biblical numbers, it rains for 40 days and 40 nights. Jimmy has various encounters in the town, especially with a raunchy singer in the pub who helps him in various projects.

During the 40 days, Jimmy contemplates suicide, visions, hallucinations, and the practical details of buying a rope to hang himself.

And there is a music background, in the pubs, jazz, and a character called The Blues Man.

The rain does stop but the question is what will happen about the family, the will, and whether Jimmy will have some kind of redemption.

1. Title and expectations? Social dimensions of redemption, religious implications of redemption, in Ireland and its Catholic background and imagery?
2. The Catholic imagery, the background of Jesus’ Passion, the nature of redemption, the church, the priest, the statue of the Virgin Mary? Of the Prodigal Son?
3. The location, County Cavan, the rain, the streets, homes, pubs, the church? Atmosphere?
4. Irish humour, banter, black humour?
5. The musical background, the songs, the songs as a chorus and comment on the action, characters? The Blues Man? The pub, Masha, the songs?
6. The character of Jimmy Cullen, his look, manner of speaking, impact on the audience, memories of him in the town, absent for seven years? His return? His father’s illness and death? The will?
7. The filling in of Jimmy’s background, the flashbacks, 16mm format, his story, interactions, family, reputation, leaving?
8. The family at home, Damien his brother, his harsh father, their characters, Patricia?
9. The father’s will, the condition of the burial, when the rain stopped? The continued rain, its effect, health conditions, the children and starvation? The biblical 40 days of rain? Jimmy and his staying? Despite the conflict with his brother?
10. The encounter with Masha, singing, the pub, the attraction, her helping him, her background and behaviour, reputation?
11. The church, the biblical references, the role of the priest? In the church, the statue of the Virgin Mary, her coming alive, smoking, the touch of raunchy, her plan?
12. Jimmy, fantasies, visions and dreams, suicidal thoughts? The episode of buying the rope, measuring it? Other attempts?
13. The scriptural references, the detailed explanation of the 10 plagues of Egypt? The statue of the Infant of Prague, Masha and Jimmy and their plan?
14. The sun coming out, the burial, the will, the townspeople, Jimmy, his future? Any redemption?