In North Dublin, Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins) harbours a love for soul music and a dislike for the dole doldrums he has been born into. Despite the luke-warm response to his favourite Motown melodies, Jimmy decides to put together a motley crew of musicians who become The Commitments.
The ten-piece band soar in popularity with their lively soul music, but the bigger they become, the more they fight. Can Jimmy hold them together, or do the band have fatal commitment issues?
Based on the novel by Roddy Doyle, who co-wrote the screenplay, this witty and vibrant comedy drama was a huge box-office hit in 1994, and is still remarkably fresh today. Directed by Alan Parker (an old hand at music films, with both Fame and Pink Floyd: The Wall under his belt), surprisingly he cast near almost-unknown actors and musicians in the major roles. It was a brilliant move as they bring the streets of Dublin to life, and, led by the soaring vocals of Andrew Strong, are a very convincing and powerful band.
The Commitments is a Film programme that first aired in 1991 and has been classified a 15 certificate.
