Inside I'm Dancing (2004)

Director:

Damien O'Donnell

Writers:

Jeffrey Caine (screenplay)
Christian O'Reilly (story)

Release Date:

15 October 2004 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Live life like you mean it.

Plot:

When the kinetic Rory moves into his room in the Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled, his effect on the home is immediate. Most telling is his friendship with Michael, a young man with cerebral palsy and nearly unintelligible speech. Somehow, Rory understands Michael, and encourages him to experience life outside the confines of home.

Plot Keywords:

Cerebral Palsy | Unintelligible | Friendship | Love | Rain

Awards:

4 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Steven Robertson	...	Michael Connolly
Alan King	...	Tommy
Brenda Fricker	...	Eileen
Ruth McCabe	...	Annie
James McAvoy	...	Rory O'Shea
Anna Healy	...	Alice
Tom Hickey	...	Con O'Shea
Sarah Jane Drummey	...	Girl in Pub
Rachel Hanna	...	Girl in Pub
Emmet Kirwan	...	Angry Man
Romola Garai	...	Siobhan
Pat Shortt	...	Nightclub Doorman
Stanley Townsend	...	Interview Panelist
Derbhle Crotty	...	Interview Panelist
Donal Toolan	...	Interview Panelist

Also Known As:

Rory O'Shea Was Here (USA)
Bailo por dentro (Argentina) (cable TV title) (Spain) (cable TV title) [es]
Inside I'm Dancing (Germany) [de]

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

UK | Ireland | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Argentina:13 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Finland:K-3 | Sweden:Btl | Germany:6 | USA:R | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Dame Street, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Company:

WT2 Productions

Trivia:

The original story was conceived by Irish writer Christian O'Reilly, inspired by his own experiences working at the Centre for Independent Living in Dublin where he worked closely with Dermot Walsh, a man who has cerebral palsy.

Quotes:

Rory: Rory O'Shea was here.
Michael Connolly: Rory O'Shea *is* here.
[Michael points to his own heart]

Movie Connections:

References Being There (1979)

Soundtrack:

Look of Love

A Lively Demand for Freedom for the Disabled

"Rory O'Shea Was Here (Inside I'm Dancing)" is a marvelous lead showcase for the talented James McAvoy who up to now has been a cocky secondary character in movies such as "Wimbledon" and memorable television such as "State of Play." But there his bad boy brashness is supported by a whirlwind of movement and sensuality whereas here all he can use in portraying a spark plug with Duchenne muscular dystrophy is his voice and expressions. His "Rory" takes hold of a condescending home for "special people" the way Jack Nicholson shook up the mental ward in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." He is a rebel with a cause -- freedom.

Steven Robertson as the pal he dynamites out of perhaps too simple complacency is achingly convincing as a young man with cerebral palsy who gradually learns he has a potential to fulfill, emotionally and intellectually.

The film is particularly good at creating very individual characters with specific family and class situations, as well as making good use of the Dublin environment.

While there are some clichés along the way, as well as a few overly convenient plot points, the film with humor, liveliness and poignancy (and a cool soundtrack) sticks our face in large issues about the helping bureaucracy, the need to individuate independent living opportunities, with particular attention to age differences, and our attitudes about the physically disabled.