Posted at 10:46 AM (PDT) on Thursday, August 25, 2005
The GM TV web site has a video clip featuring Gillian: "No longer seen as Dana Scully, Gillian Anderson is moving on from the X-Files."
To read the transcript, click here.
Thank you very much to Maddy for the transcript, to Lorna for the screen caps, and to Lyze and monicafp for pointing us to the video clip!
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Birmingham Post Review (excerpts)
By Mike Davies
Even knowing X-Files star Gillian Anderson was co-starring, it was still a while before I actually recognised her on screen, so on the button is her Ulster accent and so completely is she immersed in the character.
First time director Pearse Elliott keeps the political backdrop and the threat of violence on an understated simmer, preferring to concentrate on the coming-of-age drama which tends to play out rather like Kes with a greyhound.
The central performances are exemplary, Anderson first rate as the feisty working class mother (demonstrating fine comic timing in her learning to drive scenes), Carlyle never overplaying his reformed troubled terrorist and, smoking and swearing his head off, newcomer McKenna a real find as Donal.
One shockingly unexpected moment that will upset young viewers aside, the plot follows a fairly predictable course but knowing what's coming shouldn't lessen the impact or enjoyment at all.
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The Times Online
By James Christopher
The story is so slender it almost crumbles between your fingers. The romance between Anderson’s single mum and Carlyle’s newly freed prisoner is made of sterner stuff, if only because they wear their unspoken grief like Marley’s chains. The winning ingredient is how these lonely adults square their differences for the sake of the young boy.
Who would have thought that the wellbeing of a dog would inspire the first example of Peace Process cinema? All credit to the exotic cast for trampling the issues that famous locals fear to tread. The accents are impeccable. Anderson is faultless as a bitter, loving mother. Carlyle is terrific as the wise lag, hailed as a hero for an act of terror he would rather forget.
The tribal friction is spot-on. If only Elliot could have extended the same subtlety to his soapy plot. But pack your expectations lightly and you might be pleasantly surprised.
Read more.
Thanks xfrgg and Wendy!
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Film Exposed
By Chris Thornton
Pearse Elliott both writes and directs this semi-autobiographical tale and his closeness to the material is clear through well studied and developed characters and a general fondness for the Belfast setting.
Indeed this film is heart warming in its nostalgia, but in some rather surprising ways. ...The clear attention to the every day details is the core of the film’s strength whilst the film’s performances bring out the best in an already strong script. Everyone impresses; Carlyle and Stott are both wonderful, Anderson is virtually unrecognisable and puts on a decent Belfast accent that will convince most, but the real star of the show is Tyrone McKenna, a brilliant find who carries the film on his small shoulders with aplomb.
The Mighty Celt is funny, heart warming and also heart rending; it is a film for all age groups except perhaps the youngest. The story is a good one well told and well delivered; kudos to Mr. Elliott on a brilliant debut.
Read more.
Thanks Lyze and Wendy!
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Film Ireland
By Rebecca Kemp
The film essentially belongs to its actors and characterisations, with fine performances from Tyrone McKenna as Donal, Ken Stott as Joe and Robert Carlyle as O. But the shining light is Gillian Anderson, virtually unrecognisable as Belfast single mum Kate, all boobs, roll-up fags and high hair. Her short-vowelled, nasal accent is nothing short of the real thing.
Entirely shot on location, The Mighty Celt is a semi-autobiographical homage to Elliott's home town, drawing on his passion for breeding dogs and injected with his own take on post-conflict politics. It's a moving story of atonement, told through sensitive characterisation, and using paradox to underline Elliott's particular political bug-bears. However, fans of the more hardened political drama will not find the depth of conviction or gritty realism evident in films made in the midst of the conflict, from the likes of Jim Sheridan and Terry George in The Boxer or In the Name of the Father.
Read more.
Thanks xfrgg!
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Sky Movies
By Tim Evans
Pearse Elliott's solid and often touching film succeeds largely thanks to the quality of the acting (Gillian Anderson nails an Irish accent) and its non-sensational approach to issues including renegade republicans unwilling to give up the fight.
There haven't been a great number of films dealing with Northern Ireland's difficult emergence from decades of sectarian terrorism. Director Pearse Elliott doesn't actually focus on the political upheavals of the peace agreement but acknowledges there are those unwilling to forgive and forget. Instead, he's drawn to the everyday story of a young boy growing up in a Belfast still riven by ideological conflict but unquestioningly determined to keep the peace.
It gets a little bit of a canine Kes but terrific performances - particularly from the seasoned Caryle and luminous newcomer McKenna - lend it a voice of its own. Gillian Anderson - boasting a convincing Irish burr - makes the movie attractive Stateside and its level-headed approach to a complex situation deserves praise.
Worth a look.
Read more.
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The Mighty Celt screenings at the Montreal World Film Festival are :
August 29, 2005 - 09:20:00 - CINÉMA PARISIEN 6
August 30, 2005 - 21:30:00 - CINÉMA PARISIEN 6
August 31, 2005 - 19:00:00 - CINÉMA PARISIEN 5
September 04, 2005 - 11:40:00 - CINÉMA PARISIEN 2
Thanks Martin!