The Drummer and the Keeper

What a beautiful, heart-warming, poignant and funny gem of a film. It is very clear that the filmmaker knows his subject well. This sincerity shines through the laughter and the tears.

I loved this film when I saw it in the cinema and I loved it even more the 2nd time I saw it on DVD yesterday. The main part that really struck a chord with me was the friendship between the 2 boys and how it began, developed & progressed. What I really found relevant to me was thinking about what was at the core of their friendship and what that means. And, how these friendships can sometimes come from the most unlikely of places but it can be these unexpected (even unusual) friendships that are the ones that can have the most impact in our lives. It reminded me to be more open to these relationships/friendships & letting them develop. And I really believe that if a film can have that kind of impact on someone long after they have left the cinema, then they have done/created something amazing. I found it heartwarming, honest and very witty. I hope many many people get to see this lovely film.

I just love everything about this movie. Couldn't fault it. The story is so unique and it has been treated with such care and respect. Acting is brilliant with great soundtrack and directing. What is it about these Irish movies? Begosh and begorrah, they're a joy to watch.

A heartwarming and enjoyable tale, told well and clearly with love and tenderness with genuine comedy and heart. Well worth a watch.

I picked this small film to watch by myself on a whim, and I was very pleasantly surprised-- not by the script or filmmaking itself necessarily, but by how much I was charmed by and grew invested in the characters, and was very gladly pulled along for their tumultuous ride. When you hear the story which is about an unlikely friendship (and the surrounding trials/tribulations) between a drummer with bipolar and a young man institutionalized for Asperger's... you can probably guess how it goes. The plot is nothing too surprising, and a lot of the pacing of the movie is what I would call expected. However, I don't think this all detracts from the heart of the movie, which I felt was is in the relationship between the two main characters. Both actors do a wonderful job, and create really endearing and emotionally vulnerable characters. The payoff at the climax and end of it all feels really well deserved as a result.

I did feel that the portrayals and discussion of the disorders/syndromes themselves were a little lacking in depth, but I don't think I was expecting a groundbreakingly sensitive exploration. But it doesn't feel like a pity party or grotesque fetishization of mental illness, which I commend, as many movies throughout history about such topics do just that. Much of the weaker plot points stemmed from this lack of depth, however, so I recommend educating yourself on bipolar and Asperger's before or after watching so you can dispel lingering stereotypes and generalizations on your own (bipolar doesn't look the same for everyone, and neither does Asperger's or autism). The film to its credit does a great job in building the complex humanity of the characters, so they do not feel like walking tropes of their disorders. They felt real, very believable, and very relatable. In the end, the film tries its best with a limited budget and succeeds in the ways that ultimately matter most for the relationship and development of its characters. I'm not sure where else to watch it if you live outside of Ireland/Europe, but if you are on a long flight with a stopover in Dublin, give this movie a watch :)