Dancing at Lughnasa

reviewed by Vivian Rose, age 14, from US

Although "Dancing at Lughnasa" was a compelling movie at times, frequently it was sluggish, and the ending was not only disappointing but incomplete.

Meryl Streep, who is a fine actress, stars as a severe, serious schoolteacher in pre-World War II Ireland. She lives with her five sisters, one of whom has a young, illegitimate son by her wanderer boyfriend who returns home but does little to help the struggling sisters. When their only brother, a priest who had been visiting Africa for many years, arrives home, he has changed a lot. Actually, it's obvious that he's off his rocker. Aside from his sisters, not too many people offer him a warm welcome home. Several of the sisters are disgruntled and tired of their hum- drum life but Streep is the matriarch of the family and runs it with her iron hand.

The acting is well - done, but many actors didn't seem convincing as old fashioned Irish women. They looked too modern and American. Furthermore, the plot was weak- nobody seemed to accomplish much of anything and life was slow.

My rating: 2 stars

Rating : PG for mild language and thematic elements

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