GARAGE
Ireland, 2007, 85 minutes, Colour.
Pat Shortt, Anne- Marie Duff, Conor Ryan, George Costigan, Tom Hickey.
Directed by Lenny Abrahamson.
A brief portrait of a simple Irishman in a small town. But, a very fine and finely made film.
Playwright Mark O’ Halloran worked with Lenny Abrahamson on the previous small-budget comedy about two strung-out addicts in Dublin, a kind of Laurel and Hardy stoned duo, Adam and Paul, which showed their skills in creating offbeat characters, witty dialogue and slapstick situations with pathos. Now they have pared this all down to a minimalist local comedy-tragedy.
They have been blessed with comedian Pat Shortt. Younger middle-aged, dumpy, with little conversation, his Josie is a naïve innocent who has nevertheless absorbed some of the locals’ crudity which will be his downfall. He works in a garage which is his little kingdom where he is meticulous and attentive to customers. He is respectful to the owner and agrees to late night openings on the weekend. This is the kind of drama that is his life.
He likes Carmel who works at the local store and gives him apples – which he feeds to an old draught horse who is probably his only real friend. He chats with truck drivers who bring him blue movie videos from the continent. He goes down to the pub where most understand him but one of the regulars enjoys taunting him. He lives alone, quietly and simply. He is really a simple and slow man.
The owner asks him to take on a rather taciturn 15 year old to help on weekends. Awkward at first, they strike up something of a mild friendship. But, this is not to be – and the film in its last 20 minutes takes us more deeply into Josie’s character, and with great sadness.
Only 85 minutes and those who like things kept moving on the screen may become impatient at Josie’s slow and quiet life but the portrait is a rewarding and sad look into a very, very ordinary man. (Winner of an Ecumenical Commendation at the Bratislava Festival, 2007.)
1.An interesting Irish film? The blend of comedy and tragedy?
2.The atmosphere of the town, the garage, the pub, the streets, the open road, the highway, the fields, an authentic atmosphere? The musical score - heightened and then low-key? Heightened for Josie's death?
3.The minimalist visual style? The focus on Josie, straightforward?
4.The portrait of Josie, Irishman, universal appeal, universal meaning? His age, simple, put upon, the butt of jokes, good-natured, even innocent according to his lights? His opening word of "Sorry"? His relationship with Mr Gallagher? The discussions about the Castrol cans, decisions, his sitting waiting for customers, reassuring customers, the pub, Breffny and his jokes, at home, sleeping conditions, meals, Carmel at the shop, nice conversation, her putting him off? Giving him the apples, his feeding the horse? His going to see the horse and give it apples? Mr Gallagher and David's coming? The silence of David, gawky, their working together, Declan and Louise coming with David, looking around, laughing? The trucker, conversation, bringing back the porn video? The growing bond with David, helping him, the drinks, his not thinking, the cans, showing him the video clip, David running away? Josie's rough language about the video? The police, the interrogation, the complaint by David's mother, the explanation, Josie saying he wasn't thinking, wanting to apologise? His being let out, the interview with Mr Gallagher, the audience not hearing the words but knowing what was happening, his being sacked? At home, going to the river, taking off his shoes, wading into the river - and the final scene of the river? Portrait of an ordinary man? A victim?
5.David, Mr Gallagher giving him the job, his mother? His age, quiet, coming on the weekends, Declan and Louise, getting into the job, serving the customers, the Fanta drink, the can with Declan, coming to say hello, the video and his shock, running away?
6.Mr Gallagher, the initial talk, the plans, opening later on the weekends, giving David the job, giving Josie the sack?
7.The men in the bar, friendship with Josie, taunting him, Breffny and his cruel jokes?
8.The old man going with Josie, sitting by the water, his dog, weeping?
9.Carmel, the shop, talk with Josie, the apples, not wanting to go out with him?
10.The picture of young people, in an Irish town, different generation, callow?
11.Mick, the garda, his work as a policeman, his kindliness towards Josie, the interrogation, helping him, dropping him off?
12.Josie's death - and the image of the horse coming along the railway line?
