The Commitments Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of unemployed Dubliners decide to become the funkiest soul band ever, then implode faster than a pint of Guinness on a hot day.

🍿 The Commitments: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Birth of a Soul Dream

Jimmy Rabbitte, a young, ambitious Dubliner, decides to form a soul band. He believes soul music speaks to the Irish experience, seeing them as “the blacks of Europe.” Jimmy puts out an ad and begins auditioning local talent, hoping to create something special.

Assembling the Band

Jimmy assembles a motley crew, including talented but temperamental lead singer Deco Cuffe, experienced trumpet player Joey ‘The Lips’ Fagan, and three strong female backup singers. Each member brings their own personality and baggage to the group, creating both musical synergy and interpersonal conflict. The band begins rehearsing, working to perfect their sound and build a repertoire of classic soul hits.

The Rise of The Commitments

The Commitments start playing local gigs, quickly gaining popularity. Their raw energy and authentic performances of soul classics resonate with Dublin audiences. They begin attracting attention from music industry insiders, hinting at a potential record deal and wider fame. However, tensions within the band begin to escalate, fueled by Deco’s ego and Joey’s questionable stories.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins): An unemployed Dubliner who ambitiously forms and manages a soul band called The Commitments.
• Deco Cuffe (Andrew Strong): The talented but volatile lead singer of The Commitments, known for his powerful voice and difficult personality.
• Joey ‘The Lips’ Fagan (Johnny Murphy): A veteran trumpet player with tall tales who mentors The Commitments and helps them find their sound.
• Natalie Murphy (Maria Doyle Kennedy): One of the strong-voiced backup singers in The Commitments, contributing to the band’s soulful sound.
• Imelda Quirke (Angeline Ball): One of the talented and sassy backup singers in The Commitments.
• Bernie McGloughlin (Bronagh Gallagher): Another of the trio of backup singers for The Commitments.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jimmy Rabbitte: “The Irish are the blacks of Europe. And Dubliners are the blacks of Ireland. And North Dubliners are the blacks of Dublin. So say it once, say it loud: I’m black and I’m proud.” – Jimmy’s justification for why a group of white Irish musicians should play soul music.
• Jimmy Rabbitte: “Do you not get it, lads? The Irish are the blacks of Europe.” – Jimmy’s explanation of why they should play soul music, connecting Irish identity with the struggles of black Americans.
• Joey ‘The Lips’ Fagan: “I’m a musical visionary, that’s what I am.” – Joey, the band’s trumpet player and self-proclaimed expert, asserts his importance and musical genius.
• Joey ‘The Lips’ Fagan: “See, lads, soul is the music of hurt. And we’re hurtin’ people.” – Joey explains why soul music resonates with the working-class people of Dublin.
• Joey ‘The Lips’ Fagan: “The success of the band was irrelevant. You raised their expectations of life, you lifted their horizons. Sure, we could have been successful, and made albums and stuff, but that would have been predictable. This way…it’s poetry.” – Joey consoles Jimmy after the band’s breakup, highlighting the positive impact they had on the members.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $14,919,570
• Worldwide Gross: $14,919,633

💥 The Commitments Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely love The Commitments! The music is fantastic, and the story is so relatable. I especially loved the scene where they nail ‘Try a Little Tenderness’ – goosebumps every time! It makes me want to start my own band, even though I can barely play the triangle.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of soul and blues music”
  • “Viewers interested in Irish culture and working-class stories”
  • “Those who enjoy ensemble cast films with humor and heart”
  • “Audiences looking for feel-good movies with realistic endings”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language and profanity”
  • “Suggestive themes and some sexual content”
  • “Depictions of alcohol use and occasional fighting”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “The Commitments is a joyous explosion of music and working-class grit. The energy is infectious, and the performances are raw and real. It’s a celebration of soul music and the power of dreams.
• The New York Times: “Alan Parker’s film captures the spirit of Roddy Doyle’s novel with vibrant authenticity. The music is fantastic, and the characters are unforgettable. It’s a film that stays with you long after the credits roll.
• Sight & Sound: “A film that crackles with the energy of youth, The Commitments takes the familiar ‘band’ narrative and infuses it with the specific culture and history of Dublin’s working class. Authentic and genuinely funny.

Audience Reactions

The music is electrifying and makes you want to dance!: The raw energy and passion of the band are incredibly captivating.

The characters are hilarious and so genuinely Irish.: The humor is spot-on and the dialogue is sharp and witty.

Overall Consensus: A feel-good movie with a killer soundtrack and authentic portrayal of working-class Dublin.

Awards

1. BAFTA Film Award (Best Film)- 1992
2. BAFTA Film Award (Best Direction)- 1992
3. BAFTA Film Award (Best Adapted Screenplay)- 1992
4. Golden Globe Award (Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy)- 1992

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Many of the cast members were not professional actors but musicians recruited from the Dublin music scene.”
• “Andrew Strong, who played Deco Cuffe, was only 16 years old during filming, yet delivered a powerful vocal performance.”
• “The film is based on the novel of the same name by Roddy Doyle, who also co-wrote the screenplay.”
• “The Commitments only played live together three times: the Dublin premiere, the NY premiere, the LA premiere.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Commitments?

The Commitments is currently available for streaming on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV where you can rent or purchase the film. Check your local streaming services for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Commitments, you might like these similar films:

• The Blues Brothers (1980): A comedic musical journey to put a band together and play classic Blues, similar to The Commitments.
• Almost Famous (2000): Explores the rise of a band through the eyes of a young journalist, capturing the energy and chaos of the music scene.
• Sing Street (2016): A Dublin teen starts a band to impress a girl, capturing the youthful energy and musical aspirations of The Commitments.
• Brassed Off (1996): Focuses on a colliery brass band in a small English town facing pit closures, highlighting the importance of music and community in the face of adversity.

🛒 The Commitments Related Products

• The Commitments [Blu-ray]: Experience The Commitments in stunning high definition! This Blu-ray edition features exclusive bonus content and a pristine transfer for the ultimate viewing experience. A must-have for any fan!
• The Commitments: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [2CD]: Own the iconic soundtrack to The Commitments! This 2CD set includes all the classic soul covers from the film. Featuring the incredible voice of Andrew Strong and the band. Experience the best of soul music today!
• The Commitments Movie Poster Print: Decorate your space with this iconic movie poster. Add a touch of Dublin soul to any room with this high-quality print. Perfect for movie lovers and music fans.
• The Commitments T-Shirt: Show your love for ‘The Commitments’ with this stylish t-shirt featuring the iconic band logo. Made from high-quality material. Officially licensed product. Perfect for everyday wear.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Commitments features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Mustang Sally” – performed by Andrew Strong
• “Try a Little Tenderness” – performed by Andrew Strong
• “Chain of Fools” – performed by The Commitments
• “In the Midnight Hour” – performed by The Commitments

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Commitments Reunite

Ever wondered what happened to the cast of The Commitments? This short clip shows them reuniting for concerts years later! It’s pretty cool to see they’re still rocking together.

✨ Rate