Cal (1984 film)
Cal | |
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Directed by | Pat O'Connor |
Screenplay by | Bernard MacLaverty |
Based on | Cal by Bernard MacLaverty |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | |
Release dates |
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Running time | 102 minutes |
Country | Ireland |
Language | English |
Budget | £1,930,000[1] |
Cal is a 1984 Irish
in locations around the town, including Barrack Street and St. Finian's Park.Plot
Cal is a young member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) in 1970s Northern Ireland. He acts as a driver on a nighttime murder of a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), which takes place at the victim's home in view of his father, who is also shot.
One year later, Cal learns that a librarian, Marcella, to whom he is attracted, is a
Marcella is unhappy, feeling suffocated by her domineering mother-in-law and sick father-in-law. Marcella confesses that her marriage was not a happy one. Over time, Cal and Marcella begin a love affair—with Marcella unaware of Cal's role in her husband's death.
While Christmas shopping for Marcella and her child, he is abducted by the IRA, who are unwilling for him to leave them. The car is stopped at a British Army checkpoint and tries to get away. In the ensuing crash, Cal escapes and makes his way to Marcella's home, where he declares his love for her and hints at his involvement in her husband's murder. He has been pursued to the house by the RUC and is arrested and taken away.
Cast
- Helen Mirren as Marcella
- John Lynch as Cal
- Donal McCann as Shamie
- Ray McAnally as Cyril Dunlop
- John Kavanagh as Skeffington
- Stevan Rimkus as Crilly
- Catherine Gibson as Mrs Morton
- Louis Rolston as Dermot Ryan
- Tom Hickey as Preacher
- Gerard Mannix Flynn as Arty
- Seamus Forde as Mr Morton
- Edward Byrne as Skeffington Sr
- J. J. Murphy as Man in Library
- Audrey Johnson as Luc
- Brian Munn as Robert Morton
Reception
As of 16 March 2011, the aggregate review website Rotten Tomatoes has recorded 91% positive response based on 11 reviews.[3]
Goldcrest Films invested £396,000 in the film and received £278,000 in return. They lost £118,000.[4]
See also
References
- ^ "Back to the Future: The Fall and Rise of the British Film Industry in the 1980s - An Information Briefing" (PDF). British Film Institute. 2005. p. 20.
- ^ "Cal". Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ Cal, Rotten Tomatoes. Accessed 22 March 2010.
- ^ Eberts, Jake; Illott, Terry (1990). My indecision is final. Faber and Faber. p. 656.
External links
- Cal at IMDb
- Cal at AllMovie
- Movie trailer