User reviews

I don't usually comment on films since I am in the movie distribution business, but I have to say that this is one of my favorite films of all time. The acting is fantastic and the script is even better. There were no cheesy speeches or exploitation of handicapped people to try and make this movie more "Hollywood". James McAvoy is such an outstanding actor, I could not look away from him if I tried. I was impressed with Steven Robertson as well. I cannot believe this is his first real film. Brenda Fricker plays a small role, but as usual, she is outstanding. This is a movie for everyone to see just how lucky we all are. If you like Awakenings and Mask, you will enjoy this story. You owe it to yourself to check this film out.

Who could have thought a non-disabled actor could act so realistically and immensely powerfully as a disabled person in a film? Probably someone. But no-one, truly no-one, could ever compare their expectations with the amazingly emotive and powerful performance given by the two actors in this film.

Michael (Steven Robertson) lives in a home for disabled people. He has Cerebral Paulsy, and as shown to us right at the beginning, he has huge trouble communicating. So it truly is a lifeline when fellow disabled member Rory (James McAvoy) who can speak normally, understands him. Thus starts off a friendship that relies mainly on (ironically enough) communication.

In a hilarious scene, they manage to move out of the home into their own. After Rory had been rejected, good hearted Michael put forward an application to move into his own house. Rory, who already had a bad name with the "judges", was to be his interpreter.

But troubles soon come about. They begin good-heartedly stalking a girl who they met in a pub a while back, wanting her to be their assistant to do the little things that matter. She at first is reluctant; she does not know these men, but seems they could be harmless; so strikes up another friendship, but not necessarily a good one...

As well as being poignant, however, this film really does rely on the actors. But that isn't a bad thing. For a non disabled actor, you see Rory, though he can communicate properly, frustrated at the way he's completely dependant on other people, and has no real life of his own. But the real star for me is Steven Robertson. He acts with such emotion, yearning to fit in and sadness/happiness, that really sees him win over the whole entire film.

Excellent.

Overall: 5 out of 5

In Dublin, the crippled rebel Rory O'Shea (James McAvoy) moves to the Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled, affecting the lives of the residents. Roy is able to understand the unintelligible speech of Michael Connolly (Steven Robertson), who was left in the shelter by his prominent father many years ago due to his cerebral palsy, and they become close friends. Rory convinces Michael to move from Carrigmore to an apartment in Dublin, and they hire the gorgeous Siobhan (Romola Garai) to assist them. Living together with Rory, Michael faces a new world, finding friendship, love and freedom and learning to survive by his own.

"Inside I'm Dancing" is a wonderful tale of friendship and freedom in a very beautiful story. The acting of Steven Robertson and James McAvoy are awesome and I do not understand how they have not been nominated to the Oscar with such magnificent performances. Romola Garai has also a top-notch performance and is extremely beautiful and sexy. The screenplay is touching, never corny and without redemption and the precise direction of Damien O'Donnell is very sensitive. Unfortunately the Brazilian title of the DVD is shamefully ridiculous, giving a wrong idea of this excellent movie. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Os Melhores Dias de Nossas Vidas" ("The Best Years of Our Lives")

This movie felt so real. I actually felt all of the emotions portrayed here during my life at various times - that of both Rory and Michael. I have Duchene's Muscular Dystrophy like Rory so what you see here is exactly what I've actually felt myself. Some won't believe there ARE disabled people like Rory, full of anger and rebellion. I know they exist because I'm one of them.

The story is great. For a drama, character-driven movie, the story moves fast. I was never bored, maybe partly because I was seeing stuff that is close to my heart. But I think most people, with intelligence, will be glued to the screen and care about the characters. The acting is phenomenal! James McAvoy is perfect as Rory O'Shea, who has Duchene's muscular dystrophy. He Steven Robertson deserves an award for his portrayal as Michael Connolly, who has cerebral palsy.

Michael's love isn't returned by a girl and Rory helps him come to terms with it. I've felt this many times and the question is "doesn't she love me because I'm just not the one or because my disability turned her off?" No matter what the girl says, we will always be skeptical as to the truth. It's just natural and it hurts either way.

A few parts made me cry a little because it is sad and I have to face the issues myself. People without a terminal disability just cannot begin to fathom how it can feel. This is a must-see film for everyone. Disabled people are everywhere and greatly misunderstood. This film brings a little light on some of the facts of life, which are so taken for granted by the able-bodied. We want to be just like you - to live on our own terms, to go out, to get drunk, to be loved. On the outside, we can't do much but on the inside, we're dancing!

Michael (played by Steven Robertson) has cerebal palsy, and lives a quiet, and dull, life in Carrigmore Residential Home. When a newcomer to the home, Rory (McAvoy), befriends him, he proceeds to show Michael how to live past the disability. Despite, or maybe because of, Rory's crippling disability (unable to move all but his head and a few digits on his hand), Rory is fiercely independent, and extremely rebellious. His affect upon the quiet and reserve Michael is spectacular, and the two soon leave the care home to set up lives in the outside world, where they recruit the help of Siobhan (Romola Garai) as a care assistant.

This film is one of the gems of the year! Much like last year's In America, the film goes from being extremely funny, to distressing, touching, upsetting, and truly moving without once seeming saccharine sweet. Knowing exactly where to tug at the heartstrings, and where to simply let the story, and characters, do their thing, O'Donnell has crafted a wonderful film which tells us all to look past the surface, and see what lies within.

The true strengths of the film come in the lead actors. So convincing are their characters that you truly do believe that they are disabled. To further manage to convey humor and sorrow on top of the already great performances is amazing. The pair really seem close friends, and as their tale unfolds you care completely for them.

This is definitely one of the finest examples of film this year, telling a very relevant story in a simple way. If this film fails to touch your heart, then you must contain pure ice inside.

I went along to see this film expecting a run-of-the-mill drama. Instead, I was bowled over by the emotion and the depth of the story and the characters involved. It has made me think a lot more about the problems that disabled people face in everyday life and how the stuff that I worry about is rather insignificant in comparison.

I can't remember the last film I saw that took me through pretty much every emotion possible the way that this one did - I felt happiness, sadness, joy, anger, irritability, sorrow, optimism and many other emotions during the course of the film. I could really feel for Rory and Michael and their optimism to make the best out of life should be such an inspiration to everyone.

To summarise, you must go and see this film - it's fantastic and I can't recommend it highly enough.

I just witnessed a movie that by all rights should have been fodder for a second rate MOW on Lifetime...but trust the Irish to keep it from being anything but saccharine. The set-up all but SCREAMS "Here's a message concerning what's TRULY important in life" but the execution was way into the "Let's see just what we can get away with, here."

It helps to have two fantastic actors in the leads -- James McAvoy (as Rory) and Stephen Robertson (as Michael). While Rory is offered up as the near saintly one -- never mind the language and attitude, he's the "life force" in this piece and could easily have been insufferable in his ultimately "caring" attitude -- McAvoy keeps him sharp enough to keep him from being too sweet. But the revelation is Stephen Robertson as Michael. Not since Leonardo Di Caprio in "...Gilbert Grape" has anyone so perfectly captured a person with an affliction that I began to believe he really was an actor with cerebral palsy. And his eyes...my God, he can rip you apart with them.

This movie is, to paraphrase Rory, f****n' amazing. Go see it. Take a box of Kleenex and enjoy every well-earned tear...and laugh.

In my point of view, Ramola Garai is one of the most underappreciated beautiful actress of her generation. May be it's because she has very few credits to her name. But still, I'm tempted to watch any movie that I find her in.

But this movie isn't about her, it's about two especially abled guys Rory (McAvoy) and Michael who want to be free from the care and support they are getting at a Residential Home for the Disabled and live life on their own terms. How they get this wish fulfilled is fun to watch. First thing they do after getting a place to live is hire Ramola as their help. That's when the things get tricky.

McAvoy gives a vibrant performance but it's Michael played Steven Robertson that impresses the most.

This film was amazing, it was extremely funny and moving. Damien O'Donnell and Jeffrey Caine have put together a great movie which will appeal to all ages. James McAvoy and Steven Robertson made this film brilliant. Their acting was excellent, there was this real lifelike feeling between them, that made you really believe they were the characters they were acting out. Romola Garai is amazingly gorgeous and brilliant in her role. The story of these two physically challenged people and their carer is well put over, and you really start to grow to know and feel for the characters as the movie goes on, it was especially upsetting at the end. I would recommend this movie to anyone that loves a truly heart felt movie, warning to the more sensitive viewer make sure you have tissues you will need them.

Again amazing film!!

I in no way want to detract from what was a wonderful film marked by some terrific acting, particularly from Steven Robertson who steals every scene as Michael. However my only grievance is that the lead performances were both performed by able bodied actors. There is a great pool of untapped talent amongst disabled actors and there are very few roles considered suitable for them, I would have thought this was the perfect opportunity for the casting director to make use of this. Does anybody know whether disabled actors were originally considered for the roles or whether it was logistically difficult for such a casting?

A glorified version of cerebral palsy, I know for a fact that disabled people do not act like this, being disabled myself, and no disabled guy is a wimp, the story is pointless and dull. I also find the acting to be poor and it a shame that they could not cast anyone with cerebral palsy in a role. Personally, I think James Mcavoy would only have taken the character of Rory O'Shea in a vain attempt to clutch an Oscar, and found comfort in his poor level of acting throughout the film preventing him from achieving so. Overall, I would not recommend this film to anyone, and should you want a far more realistic, (and entertaining), story about cerebral palsy then I would advise you to watch Jim Sheridan's 'My Left Foot', which includes an Oscar-winning performance from Daniel Day-Lewis that completely outshines any of the acting in 'Inside I'm Dancing'.

What a unique and risky premise: two young men, both mentally astute but almost completely disabled with MS and cerebral palsy, leave the group home environment to get their own place in search of independence, romance and excitement. This is a story of friendship, love, and self-awareness. It has less to do with handicaps than with the development and growth of two unique and memorable characters.

Damien O'Donnell's directing keeps the story moving briskly, but it's James McAvoy as the eponymous Rory O'Shea who steals the show with his bravura performance and riveting screen presence, even though he's only acting with his face and two fingers. Steven Robinson is nearly as good as Michael Connelly, the MS patient who Damien befriends at the home. It really is hard to believe these two fine actors aren't truly paralyzed. (Some of the audience thought they were.) Romola Gorai is the most likable of the bunch (how politically incorrect!) as the blonde the boys meet in a bar and convince to become their paid caretaker.

O'Donnell manages to tell this story with extraordinary grace and humor. In the process, he shatters some of our expectations about the physically handicapped, while never forgetting to entertain us. Thank you, and bravo!

Damien O'Donnell has a good track record and in this film he handles a very delicate topic with sensitivity but manages not to let the film turn into schmalz.

This is a fantastic film, its funny with sad bits and it makes you look at things differently. Tell everyone you know to go see it now- FANTASTIC!

The acting is excellent, and Dublin plays a starring role. This film will change the way you view people with disabilities and also give you a very entertaining night out in the cinema. I can't wait til it comes out on DVD.

I have nothing but praise for this movie.

It is simply phenomenal. Good story, good characters which you can feel for, laugh with and share their story. You immediately get sucked up by the storyline and it keeps you there until the very end. It is one of the most beautiful stories I have seen in a motion picture. You cannot really grasp the meaning of life with a disability if you are not suffering from one. This movie shows the trials, victories and defeats associated with such a life in a beautiful, emotional way.

I picked up this movie by random, thought it could be an alright movie from what I read on the backside of the cover. And it turned out to be one of the best movies I have seen. This movie actually had me in tears! You cannot afford to let this movie pass you by.

If you have the chance to see it, DO it. This movie will be with you for a long, long time.

Written by Jeffrey Caine ('GoldenEye', 'The Constant Gardener') and directed by Damien O'Donnell ('East is East'), this is a heart-warming, character-driven comedy-drama which teaches you how to live, and inspires you to be the best you can possibly be. The film moves you, as well as finds humour in the most unusual places, and that's what makes the movie so enjoyable.

Michael is sad, dull ans shy guy in a Home-for-Disabled who has cerebral palsy and can't talk comprehensibly. Rory, the new guy with muscle dystrophy, is a complete rebel and has a way with his words and wit. Both their lives change for the best.

Jsmes McAvoy and newcomer Steven Robertson are brilliant and funny in their portrayals of Rory and Michael respectively. The background score is captivating.

I think I was recommended this film by the lady in the shop I was hiring it from! For once she was bang on! What a superb film! First of all I was convinced James McAvoy & Romola Garai were Irish so convincing were their accents; and by half way through the film I was utterly convinced Steven Robertson was a disabled actor and pretty sure James McAvoy was also! When I watched the special features on the DVD and saw both actors in their 'normal' guise, to say I was blown away would be an understatement!!! I can remember all the acclaim Dustin Hoffmann got back in the 80's for his portrayal of autism in the film 'Rain Man' - quite frankly (in my opinion of course!)Steven Robertson's performance/portrayal blows Dustin Hoffmann's right out of the water - and he deserves recognition as such!! All in all one of the greatest portrayals of human friendship/love/relationships ever - and it was made in Britain/Ireland with home grown actors - stick that in yer pipe and smoke it Hollywood!

This is an interesting low budget film with limited ambitions. It just wants to show you what life is like for the disabled in today's society, and how forces such as love and friendship can be stronger and more fulfilling than family or social conscience. It is not a great film, and in some ways, given the admirable nature of its intentions, I was quite disappointed that it never really lifted off the ground into anything special.

But crucially, it avoids the common pitfalls that often dog films and plays that deal with this kind of subject matter. There is a warts-and-all realism on screen throughout, without any pandering to depiction of gruesome spectacle for the sake of it. Sentimentality is avoided, while emotions are challenged, and the writers clearly know the difference between the two.

The real pleasure of the film, though, is in the two central performances. Roles like these are rare, and any actor takes a big risk in taking them on. Playing with confidence and commitment, both James McAvoy and (in particular) Steven Robertson turn into characters you believe in, sympathise with, become irritated with and then finally accept as simply human beings trying to make the most of the lives they have been given.

And that's what the film is about really. Nothing more than that. It takes pot-shots at the coldness that can characterise institutional care. But there is no polemic here. The managers of the care home and members of the adjudication panel who thwart the young heroes' attempt to live a 'normal' life are depicted as faintly laughable, rather than evil, and there is never any sense on which they are anything other than well-intentioned (if misguided).

If the film has a central point, other than just the desire to tell a story, it is that true hope for those caught in such cruel circumstances lies in the resilience of the human spirit, not in the handed-down kindness of well-meaning strangers.

There are laughs in 'Inside I'm Dancing' as well as tears. It will make you think. And, while it does ultimately fail to lift itself out of a fairly mundane, directionless plot, it is for all that a fairly poignant, sensitive and evocative journey into a world that few of us can actually relate to.

Let's get it clear from the start: I am an asshole with the emotional sensitivity of cubic stone. Therefore I consider dramas of people with disabilities, social stigma or whatever ailments they have and cry on and on about it as stupid movies with poor taste. I mean, if you have a message, you can tell it without the help of sick or pitiful people.

However, I liked this movie. It is about people with incredible bad luck as personal health goes, but they don't cry about it, quite the opposite, they try to live and people try to "protect" or "take care" of them by actively removing them from real life. The message is live life to the fullest, even if the ending is as sad as possible.

My conclusion: as sick people dramas go, this one is a keeper. It is sad, yet hopeful. I like James McAvoy, even if he does seem to always play the arrogant rebel. I also say that Steven Robertson played very well. Either that or he really has partial paralysis. :)

Believe in disability, will break human. On the other hand, the illusion of ability also has the same result. Realism with hope, but the key is our story. They are two disadvantaged wheelchairs who can not define stop for their desire for their revelation. They got progress to prove themselves. Their desire for revelation within the environment and the discovery and experience, emphasizes the fact that they are realizing a solid slap. As Michael decides to return to the sanatorium, he will give up him. The film, in fact, illustrates the delicate points and currents from the window of view of people with disabilities and low-level attitudes. As an audience, you spend hours spoiling, which means the powerful impact of the film that helps us have a mutual understanding of the cortex we are weaker.

"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.