Parked

There's always something so comforting about returning to quaint, little, low-budget Indies from the UK or Ireland, I can't describe it... Despite the cinematic spectacle of gargantuan Hollywood blockbusters (flaunting super pristine, egregiously large production values with heavy corporate involvement / oversight), I believe there are endearingly charming quirks to be appreciated in the imperfections, borne from filmmakers lovingly crafting a tale with limited resources at their disposal - which I continually find myself preferring, personally.

If anything, the issues stemming from ambitious artistic creativity, warring against the restrictive confines of reality often ground the narrative in a feeling of authenticity that's seldom able to be replicated by high end production studios, specifically because prestigious projects - in their vain attempts to capture moments faultlessly (& in an unconvincingly American way) - deprive the majority of scenes exactly what makes them so relatable to us; their flaws.

"Parked" is a great example of this, proving my point (hence the verbose anecdote, preceding); stripped back, devoid of the US glitz & glamour we've typically grown accustomed to as audiences, focusing entirely on the substance of character - as opposed to superficial style, artificially rendered to usually compensate for a lack of it. No, rather than indulge in that increasingly tedious shallowness I've alluded to, the movie's just a really well told story - indeed, basic, yet undeniably effective - unfolding beautifully in a poignant, organically developing, bittersweet tale, balancing bleakness with a profound sense of hopefulness (possessing layers of depth, warmth & a sincerity in its depiction of humanity, I couldn't help but admire), making for an extremely rewarding viewing experience - due to how crushingly honest everything seems, from beginning to end.

Plus, Colin Morgan & Colm Meaney are both notably incredible here (Morgan in particular, arguably delivering one of the most devastating performances I've ever seen him give in his career - embodying a deeply tragic figure "Cathal", a homeless drug addict with a heart of gold - keeping "Fred", the protagonist, company as they take refuge in a car park by the ocean, using their vehicles as shelter whilst they search for properties to live in; his tortured mind tragically yearning for a place to call home, metaphorically & literally, incapable of finding his idea of solace in the world, nor reconciling with the events of the past, leading to a wrenching sense of separation; visualised through a nuanced, powerful imagining brought to the screen under the watchful eye of excellent director Darragh Byrne - however, what a double act), impressively capitalising off of the opportunity given by writer Ciaran Creagh (constructing such a rich emotional landscape for them to play in), bringing his script to life from the page, brilliantly.

Hence, although miniscule, it's poetically mighty - packing a punch, many bigger blockbusters fail to ever make.

Available on Amazon Prime in England. Definitely recommend & well worth your time, if you have it.

I'm a huge fan of Colin Morgan, which is why I watched this. He's brilliant, as is Colm Meaney. The story is really bleak but very watchable. Mercifully, it's only 90 minutes! Worth watching for fans of these actors or of indie Irish films, but it won't be everyone's cup of tea.

A very moving film - a credit to the producers Ripple World and to a very talented cast. The story follows Fred Daly (Colm Meaney), an introverted and marginalized middle-aged man who returns to Ireland and ends up living in his car. He befriends a young homeless junkie, Cathal (Colin Morgan) and the two find comfort and a glimmer of hope in their low-key friendship.

Meaney gives a superb performance, walking the tightrope between sentimentality and cheap laughs without ever falling into either trap. He plays a man clinging to the last vestiges of normality, whether it be watering a plant or brushing his teeth, - a drowning man by the sea, clinging to the smallest pieces of debris to stay afloat. Morgan, best known as Merlin in the TV series of the same name, shows huge promise as a big screen actor.

Well written by Ciaran Creagh whose theatre background has given him a good ear for dialogue. Directed with elegant understatement by Darragh Byrne and with some beautiful photography from John Conroy including cinematic landscapes that lifted it away from potential TV-style relentless grimness.

If there is a single word for the movie, it is uncompromising. It takes a hard, unblinking look at lives on the margins but manages to retain its characters' humanity. I watched it at the LA Irish Film Festival 2011 and there were more than a few tears shed in the audience, which again is a credit to the film-makers in a world where shiny things and explosions usually dominate. For sure it is a slow burn, but all the more elegant for that. Full of sadness and pathos, but leaving the door open for a final sliver of hope to shine through. Bravo.

(Sorry English is not my first language).

I put a 10 /10 because I haven't been able to watch "Parked" without feeling a deep compassion and empathy for Cathal O'Regan (played by Colin Morgan) and Fred Daly (played by Colm Meaney), the two leading roles of "Parked".

I watched this movie because of Colin Morgan (Merlin). I was curious to see him in a different kind of character than in Merlin (great show by the way). Watching "Parked" after "Merlin" shows how much Colin Morgan is capable of playing so many different emotions in a very realistic way, this is undeniably the mark of a very talented actor. It always amazes me how some actors are able to reproduce an incredible range of emotions with so much accuracy and realism, like if it were their own feelings. To be able to do this, they need to have a huge understanding of human soul I suppose. Colin Morgan give a very concrete life to the characters he plays, and this always in a subtle and intelligent manner.

"Parked" touched me and makes me remember that everyday we can see around us people like Cathal or Fred. We end up ignoring them like they were invisible, trying to forget that they are part of our society. But they are exactly like us, made of the same substance. We could be them. What can we said about a society where strong people crush the weak instead of helping them?

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If you like this movie, I also recommended you to watch "Island", a very good Irish movie with Colin Morgan (I already was a fan of Irish movies but now, after Colin Morgan, I'm going to be unbeatable on the subject!).

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So many lives end up this way because those in the know still don't listen and admit to the signs.

Been given the right help is a lottery, too much talk and not enough action and certainly funds are not given enough here rather than to health factors who can help themselves a lot more.

Wake up world.