From Pink Floyd to Soul: The Director’s Unexpected R&B Triumph

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Success tales not always conclude with limelight and applause. Alan Parker, renowned for his musical films, crafted a reputation that embraced the dark corners, particularly evident in his 1982 film, Pink Floyd: The Wall, which he found disheartening to work on. However, by 1991, despite the lingering gloom, he produced something radiant, like the soft light of a Gaelic pub – The Commitments. And it’s quite remarkable.

In simple terms, “The Commitments” is a Dublin-based musical movie inspired by Roddy Doyle’s book. It centers around the theme of never giving up on hope and trusting oneself when others don’t. Unlike traditional tales of aspiring artists trying to gain acceptance into prestigious institutions like Julliard, this story follows an unconventional group of underdogs who learn to have faith in themselves. The film is gritty, authentic, and motivational in its unique way, offering a stark contrast to the grimness of “The Wall”.

Alan Parker Nailed the Darker Side of Musicals

Born in a working-class family in London, Parker initially had no ambition towards filmmaking. However, his career took off when he worked on television commercials, eventually transitioning to film in 1971. Notably, Parker is renowned for the innovative idea of casting children as adults in the 1976 prohibition gangster musical, Bugsy Malone. While some might find this concept a bit peculiar, others consider it genius, with iconic elements such as mobsters’ machine guns shooting cream pies and the catchy tune “We Could Have Been Anything That We Wanted to Be…” echoing in our minds.

As I sat down to watch the 1980’s gem, Fame, I wasn’t expecting the gritty realism that unfolded on screen. Instead of glamour and jazz hands, this film set in a New York Performing Arts School showed the raw struggles of students striving for success in the arts. They were willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve their dreams, making for an intense and captivating watch.

One unforgettable scene featured a group of dancers performing atop yellow taxis, a sight that seemed as commonplace as enjoying a hot dog on a bustling New York City street.

Before directing Madonna’s Eva Peron in Evita in 1996, Alan Parker took a detour to the rain-soaked streets of Dublin with The Commitments in 1991. This lesser-known film touched many hearts and showcased his directorial talents.

Jimmy Rabitte brings soul to Dublin

In the 90s, Parker’s camera lens vividly portrayed the genuine atmosphere of working-class Dublin, filled with narrow apartments and graffiti-covered walls. With traditional industries dwindling, joblessness was rampant, and life was hard. Aspiring to succeed in a band was often met with ridicule. The Chicago Reader commented, “The Commitments might be Parker’s most intimate film, as his working-class roots in the northern London borough of Islington mirrored those of his characters.” Working on a budget of just £12 million, no funds were allocated for big-name actors. Instead, The Irish Post reported that the cast was selected from anonymity, with Parker favoring musical ability over acting experience, which gave it a raw, untamed energy.

As a passionate movie buff, I’d say: “In my world, I find myself as Jimmy Rabbitte, a man with a dream to bring the soulful rhythm of America to the heart of Dublin’s Northside. I strongly believe that soul music resonates with the working class. With a dash of optimism and an advert in the local paper, I gather a motley crew of enthusiastic yet amateur musicians. We christen ourselves The Commitments.

Our journey isn’t easy; we encounter challenges that could make us throw in the towel – financial woes, technical glitches, organizational chaos, personal disputes, and a frontman so full of himself he makes a peacock look shy. Yet, we stand firm. Bit by bit, we hone our skills and master songs like Try a Little Tenderness and Mustang Sally that Jimmy holds dear. The result? A frenzy among the audience, their cheers echoing through the streets of Dublin.

The morals of the story

Instead of just playing lovely tunes, the band boldly confront their personal boundaries and gain self-insights through the process. They found a mission and built deep connections with their audiences, becoming more powerful song after song. However, flaws start to emerge. A pivotal event arises when band member Joey “The Lips” Fagan, portrayed by Johnny Murphy, a stage actor who wasn’t a real-life musician, claims that Wilson Pickett will attend one of their live shows. Yet, an unexpected turn of events lies in store.

Pickett was supposed to arrive, but he’s terribly late. The Commitments suspect Lips is lying. As a result, there’s a major disagreement and the band breaks up permanently. Later, a limousine arrives asking for directions from Jimmy Rabbitte. Inside, it’s Wilson Picket. In conclusion, the band disbands, but each member discovers something valuable about themselves.

This version aims to make the original text more accessible and easier to understand for a general audience while maintaining its essence.

Where to next for The Commiments?

In truth, numerous members of The Commitments cast experienced significant career success following their roles. For instance, Glen Hansard, portraying Outspan Foster on guitar, won an Oscar for Best Original Song in the film “Once” and was invited to perform Fairytale of New York at Shane MacGowan’s (of The Pogues) funeral. Maria Doyle Kennedy, who played Natalie, singer in the movie, established a strong presence on TV, appearing in shows such as The Tudors and Downton Abbey. Despite The Commitments being a film about ‘making it’, where the band doesn’t actually achieve success, that doesn’t matter. What truly matters is what they created during their journey together – building something meaningful along the way, rather than just reaching a destination.

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2025-01-19 06:04