EAT THE PEACH

Ireland, 1985, 95 minutes, Colour.
Stephen Brennan, Catherine Byrne, Eamon Morrissey, Niaill Tobin, Tony Doyle, Joe Lynch.
Directed by Peter Ormrod.

Eat the Peach is an offbeat Irish film, presented by American director Jonathan Demme. It shows Ireland in the '80s, as the background of smuggling, the police and terrorism. However, it focuses on two eccentrics, unemployment and their building of a Wheel of Death (influenced by Elvis Presley films). There is enough eccentric characterisation, local colour and humour, to make this an interesting and entertaining offbeat film.

1. The appeal of the film? Offbeat, Irish?

2. The Irish settings, landscapes, way of life, the road, the Wheel of Death? Special effects and stunts? Score?

3. A slice of Irish life, the Irish context, men being free and creative?

4. The opening with the Japanese closing down the factory, the farewell to the Japanese, Vinnie and Arthur and their friendship, Vinnie's relationship with Norah and their child, the house?

5. The influence of Elvis Presley, the video in the bar, at home? The idea of the Wheel of Death? Their enjoying riding their bikes - and the scenes of the landscapes and the bikes? The strain on Norah, her leaving, her mother and her presence?

6. The building of the Wheel of Death, the detail, getting the money, riding? Boots and his interest? The smuggling, the smuggling chief, the various rides, the haystack, the police and the fire?

7. Boots and his help, trying out the Wheel of Death, achievement?

8. The reconciliation with Norah, her coming back home, the child enjoying being at home again? The explosion in the night?

9. The opening of the Wheel of Death: the politician and his background, the priest and the blessing, the people, the ride, the people frightened and leaving, the television group coming late, filming it, Vinnie and the family seeing it on television?

10. His decision to burn the Wheel of Death - why? It was his? Arthur and his dismay?

11. Boots, his never having been in America, involved in the smuggling, his putting water in the whisky? His being punished, hospital, injuries?

12. Arthur and Vinnie, eccentric characters, their style, the Wheel of Death, the building of the helicopter?

13. A pleasing slice of humorous life and eccentric characterisation?