Holy
Trinity
EVELYN
RATING: A
A United Artists Release
Starring
Pierce Brosnan, Julianna Margulies, Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea,
John Lynch, Sophie Vavasseur as Evelyn and Alan Bates. Costume
Designer Joan Bergin, Music by Stephen Endelman, Editor Humphrey
Dixon, Production Designer John Stoddart, Director of Photography
Andre Fleuren, Produced by Pierce Brosnan, Beau St. Clair, Michael
Ohoven, Written by Paul Pender, Directed by Bruce Beresford.
Rated PG, Running Time 94 MINS,
2.40 :1 Anamorphic Scope Aspect Ratio.
"You will lose because if
you win you will undermine family law," the Irish minister
of education tells Desmond Doyle (Pierce Brosnan) and his counselors,
who are fighting to win custody of his children from authorities.
Based on a true story, "Evelyn" reunites producer and
actor Brosnan with his "Mr. Johnson" director Bruce
Beresford in an effort to bring the tale of Desmond Doyle and
his struggle to the screen. In 1953 Ireland struggling housepainter/singer
Doyle and his three children find themselves suddenly abandoned
by his wife. To make matters worse he's facing the difficulties
of single parenthood and the threat of unemployment and child
protective services. Eventually losing his three children Evelyn
(Sophie Vavasseur), Maurice and Dermot to Church orphanages, Doyle
soon confronts depression and the lure of the bottle. But the
love of his children and encouragement from friends enables him
to face his inner demons and find courage to attempt to reunite
his family.
 Doyle
enlists the aid of bar-keep and newfound friend Bernadette Beattie
(Julianna Margulies), and her solicitor brother Michael (Stephen
Rea). Michael feels that Doyle's case against the government is
in vain. Lawyers who have challenged their power are unsuccessful
and find themselves kicked out of their profession. "To fight
church and state is to fight Goliath," he tells Doyle who
replies, "Well, David won that fight in the book I read."
Michael brings Doyle to his colleague Nick Barron, an American
lawyer who feels that with the aid of his mentor Tom Connolly
(Alan Bates) they may have a shot at winning Doyle custody of
his children. But to do so they will have to challenge the Irish
Supreme Court and prove that Doyle's denial of custody is a violation
of the Irish Constitution. Challenging the court is a one shot
opportunity and if they fail Doyle will never gain custody of
his children before they are sixteen.
"Evelyn" is one of
the most charming films I have seen this year. It took the guts
of Brosnan along with his partner Beau St. Clair to produce such
a wonderful and appealing film. Along with director Beresford
and a screenplay by Paul Pender they have crafted a holiday film
full of heart and humanity. The film is far from perfect but I
personally could not find one flaw within it. Everything from
the direction, vivid cinematography and fine cast is in perfect
order. This is a film full of wonderful performances, not just
from the main cast but all the supporting characters.
 Brosnan's
Desmond Doyle is the antithesis of James Bond, a simple man struggling
within himself to do right by his children. He isn't a man of
action or materialistic like 007; when he buys a new pair of shoes
to look presentable in court we know they are the last pair of
shoes he will buy for quite a while. This is one of if not the
best performance he has given in his entire career. Margulies
is the perfect match for Brosnan as a sweet and encouraging Irish
bar-keep who finds herself attracted to his charm but won't make
it easy for him. Rea, Quinn and Bates are all in fine form as
Doyles' counselors and as men who manage to find humor in even
the most dire circumstances.
Sophie Vavasseur is a young face
who has appeared in quite a few films, but I'm sure that no one
will forget her after seeing her role as the title character Evelyn.
She's only nine years old but even before her mother abandons
them we can see that Evelyn is really the woman of the household.
She takes care of her younger brothers she looks after her daddy
and has the maturity and intelligence to stand up to an abusive
nun. Her spirituality and enthusiasm spark hope within the other
children at her orphanage and threaten the power of that nun played
by Andrea Irvine. The abuse that Evelyn and other girls endure
reminded me of Peter Mullen's still unreleased "The Magdelene
Sisters" but is no where near as torturous. I enjoyed her
interaction with her grandfather (Frank Kelley), a kind nun played
by Karen Ardiff and a lawyer representing the state who she makes
a fool of. Evelyn has such a kind heart that she explains to him
she didn't report her abuse because the bible says we should forgive
thy neighbor. Her prayer to God before her court appearance is
the most heartfelt and had the strongest effect on me:
"Dear God. I have to
go to the big courtroom to answer some questions now. Please let
my daddy win. I know you are testing him, but I think he's getting
tired. Please let him win. Amen."
 Vavasseur
is a rare find indeed and a true treasure. I hope there is a filmmaker
or casting agent out there that will notice her and give her material
that will expand her horizons. I'm pleased that a star like Brosnan
was able to get ahold of material like this and develop it into
an appealing Capraesque family film. He makes $20 mil a picture
as 007 and yet he still is looking to develop small quality productions
like this and the underrated "Thomas Crown Affair."
In New York I pass over the Manhattan bridge often and down the
avenue in the center of Chinatown is one of the biggest billboards
in the city promoting "Die Another Day." I'm aware that
the 007 films are part of the most successful film franchise in
history, but am saddened by the fact that the smallest fraction
possible of their level of promotion has been given to "Evelyn."
I can't even recall seeing a bus or train ad for the film.
Looking for a family film to
enjoy with your kids? This is it. Don't look to bond with them
over some cuddly cartoon characters that don't exist and keeps
them temporarily occupied. Give the something that features real,
flawed and flesh and blood individuals who are trying to survive
as a family. "Evelyn" brings up many issues and questions
involving spirituality, religion and the law, but those are questions
that parents must answer eventually and a film like this makes
the process smoother. Don't give me any grief like: "This
movie belongs on the Lifetime network!" This isn't a movie,
but a film and all good films should be appreciated in a theater.
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