Mickybo and Me (2004) User Reviews

Poignant and funny

[darapkel · 8/10 · 14 July 2005]

The story is basically that of two young boys in Belfast in the summer of 1970 who come from opposite sides of the sectarian divide. Obsessed with the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, they decide to run away to Australia and leave their problems behind.

I've seen this film twice and would happily watch it again. The two young main characters, Jonjo and Mickybo, are wonderfully cast and the story dwells on their friendship and their need to escape their lives rather than being just another film about the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

The cast is excellent, Adrian Dunbar being a standout as the wastrel father. The film is definitely a crowd pleaser but the story is good enough to avoid being corny or sentimental.

Wonderful!!

[scotland_jewel · 8/10 · 5 December 2005]

I loved this film! The boys were a delight, I laughed so hard, and must admit I saw a bit of my husband as a child in Mickeybo. I enjoyed the adventures, or rather misadventures, of the boys, and enjoyed watching their characters develop. I am sure we all knew a Mickybo when we were kids, and as mad as we might have thought they were at times, we admired them as wished we could be a bit more like them. As for "treacle-coated ending", as one review said, it was no such thing. I felt it showed that things are not always as they seem and through it all, people can learn to to understand and accept each other. And not before time. I highly recommend this film!

Watch this movie and you will learn what it's all about to be a Catholic in Northern Ireland

[StephenSTBradley · 7/10 · 30 March 2005]

I felt so comfortable, and uncomfortable watching Mickybo and Me. It reminded me of my (happy) childhood but also of the bigotry (or, should I say ignorance and fear) which is still rampant in my country. The movie sums up succinctly how things spiralled out of control here

It was like this for me - I was the age of the characters as I grew up in Belfast. It was a great adventure to see red glows emanating from a Catholic ghetto when (I did not understand at the time) it was attacked by hoards of ignorant, angry and frightened individuals whose insecurity was used for the political ends of their religious and political peers. The majority of my friends were Protestant and I never hear a bigoted word from any of them. I was that unique individual. A Catholic, living in a middle class Protestant neighborhood, with a mother who converted to marry my Catholic father - and the crap that ensued from that.

The movie is an excellent first feature for it's director. The art direction and camera work is excellent as is the acting talent of all leads. It's great to see someone from Belfast doing so well - creatively - i.e. writer/director Terry Loane.

peace, Stephen.

Delightful in the vein of "Into the West"

[hanrahanpm · 7/10 · 15 April 2005]

I made it my business to see this film on a recent brief visit to Dublin. I have no expectation that it will ever be released in the U.S. and more's the pity. It is quite charming and even clever. Using the "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" story as a backdrop and not being obvious (to someone who is not from Northern Ireland) about which boy was the Catholic/Protestant. Nice performances from the grown-ups, in the background. One reviewer had a problem with the geography of the locations. That happens in so many movies that it's only a minor distraction anymore. This is a fun and charming family movie. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed it until I heard myself describing it to friends when I got back to the U.S. Well done Terry Loane and all involved.

Excellent Movie

[robmac110 · 9/10 · 10 May 2005]

Great movie, great acting, fantastically filmed. Sums up the paradox of growing up in Belfast in the early seventies, of wanting to just be a normal boy doing the things boys do but having everything else going on around you shaping how you should think. The way the boys dressed and spoke is spot on for the time. Most of the story though could be set anywhere about the two young boys wanting to escape, don't be put off because it has Northern Ireland accents or is locally made. Recommend to anyone, everything from the performances to the script is top class. I'm glad it stayed local and wasn't produced by an American studio who would have wanted to make it into a mushy totally family film. Can't wait to buy it on DVD, does anyone know when the release date is?

the world through two children's eyes

[Emerenciano · 7/10 · 20 November 2006]

The world could be much better and easier if the children were heard or if they could speak more. The real world problems and boring routine are fantasy and dream for the kids.

Mickybo and JonJo are two of these young beings who simply don't see the things the way we adults too. They love cinema and have a special passion for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. After watching their heroes at the movie theatre they see daily life as a scenery for the adventures they create on their fresh minds.

They live in Belfast, a beautiful city that is unfortunately terrorized by bombs and religious division. They live on opposite sites of the place, but the imagination and sense of adventure they share make their friendship develop fast. This is a nice film that makes us see the hard reality through the eyes of these kids who do their best to make their dreams come true. We learn a lesson out of it: we should never stop dreaming.

A truly entertaining and well thought out, sensitive film

[searchit · 10/10 · 1 November 2005]

I watched this film not knowing what to expect... and it was a great surprise!! The story's two main characters, Mickybo and Jonjo, are terrific actors who surely have great careers ahead of them. They play the parts so well anyone would have trouble not identifying with their vivid imagination, excitement and refreshing naivety when they were their age. I also think writer and director, Terry Loane, has manged to incorporate Ireland's troubled history without making it too much a part of the film so as to spoil what is an excellent story in its own right. I am only disappointed, though, that this film has not made much of an impact in the UK. Especially with tag lines stating that this film comes from the makers of Billy Elliott and starring Julie Walters, Adrian Dunbar, Ciaran Hinds and Gina Mckee, I would have thought this film would have been pushed a lot more, however I am sure you will enjoy the film as much as I did!

good , BUT.......................

[fionajd3 · 6/10 · 14 April 2005]

I saw this film last night - and really enjoyed it , but they got the location shots all wrong ! - The boys hopped from The Mournes , to the North Antrim Coast - down to Ballyholme beach - in about 5 minutes -They jumped into the sea in Donaghadee and ended up in Eire !! Which is beyond belief ! The film makers were trying to show too many places in N.I - (Not quite sure how The South became involved at all ) all at once , and spoilt it in the process -

To all non N.I residents , who won't have spotted this ,I would say --Imagine they filmed a scene at Big Ben and u could see Stonehenge in the background! I rest my case .................

An accurate and poignant film about the year that Belfast went mad

[ken_wharton · 9/10 · 7 January 2007]

As a former serving soldier in Northern Ireland, during the "Troubles " - my first tour was 1969/70 - I found my eyes wandering to desperately identify places in Belfast where I had done a thousand F.P.'s (foot patrols) and was delighted when I spotted a place I recognised. As another reviewer said, it wasn't about the "Troubles" or our presence over there, but it was a magnificent backdrop to the film.

The acting was outstanding, the location work terrific and the two young lads at the centre of the film were simply awesome. The accents varied a little and I spotted a couple of the actors contriving the Belfast brogue - esp Julie Walters, but, hey, who cares, as she is one of the finest actors in the world - but in general, it was a poignant and moving tribute to an incredible, relationship which stretched beyond the sectarian divide.

Belfast went mad in 1970 and this movie accurately conveys that.

I would recommend this film without hesitation.

1 good movie., 2 bad problems

[arwen_c-1 · 19 October 2005]

This film was so enjoyable. It was great fun to name all the names of places we knew, a real nostalgia trip even for those of us who weren't around in 1970s Belfast.

It had two huge problems with it however. Julie Walters and Gina McKee. Did the directors feel that some household names would be useful? Why do they feel the need to insert Julie Walters in to every single 'working class regional woman' role? Their accents were rubbish, slipping into the 'begorras' at every opportunity. Do they even know that a Belfast Protestant and Belfast Catholic accent can sound very different? Julie Walters couldn't even get the intonation right for God's sake, and she was far too old. Gina McKee was a lot better but still left so much to be desired. There is such a healthy arts scene, and no shortage of good actresses in the region, it really disgusted me to see Julie Walters shoved into a role and expect me to accept her performance as any more that mediocre, and patronising in the extreme to expect the Northen Ireland audience to accept her as 'one of their own'.

Raindrops keep falling on my head....

[fostrhod · 7/10 · 16 June 2020]

Any film centred around childhood in 70s Ireland will instantly be compared to The Butcher Boy , which is a little unfair, as that is one brilliant film and book.

Well this isn't t Butcher Boy but it certainly is a brilliant film and tells the story of two lads probably about ten years old, who becomes friends despite the "troubles" Northern Ireland. One Catholic one Protestant what draws them together is their mutual love of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

There's a lot to love about this film, it makes me want to watch the above Redford and Newman classic for starters.

Special mention to the two leads they are absolutely stunning.

This film is highly recommended

Excellent

[danw1502 · 9/10 · 23 April 2005]

Yes, what a great film. The only film I've ever seen that has prompted me to do a Google search and post a message!! The young actors do a fine job, supported by the big names and the great scenery. Nostalgic yes, but realistic also.

I thought it was good how they dealt with the Northern Irish situation without making it feature in every scene as some have done. I noticed religion was only mentioned once at the beginning, but the characters aren't defined by it. The scene towards the end of the handover at the border is very true, as an outsider coming into Northern Ireland I have seen how some perceive it as akin to the Berlin wall, whereas in reality it is quite insignificant. I think both boys act in a way that reflects the way their fathers treat them, you can see some of Mickybo's father in the way he tells off Jonjo on the stairs in the old house. And later, Jonjo reflects on his fathers affair and how he doesn't wish to return home to it, (after the hay fire).

While not taking sides, I think the ending summed up how the problems of Northern Ireland have continued, the way friendships change after tragic events, the facts become distorted (who stole the bike), and peer pressure dictating who you associate with.

Well done to film team.

Regards, Dan.

Me and Mickybo.

[morrison-dylan-fan · 7/10 · 4 December 2020]

After seeing The Guilty (2018-also reviewed) I decided to check what other titles were leaving Netflix. Going down the list, I noticed a interesting-sounding title,which had Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) as a plot element,leading to me meeting Mickybo.

View on the film:

Bringing Mickybo and Jono together across a bridge symbolising The Troubles in 1970 Northern Ireland, writer/director Terry Loane makes his feature film debut with an adaptation of Owen McCafferty that loads the fantasy wishes of the lads living the Butch and Sundance life, with the "Kitchen Sink" harsh reality of regular bombings taking place on their streets.

Travelling across the country imagining they are cowboys, Loane refreshingly does not mollycoddle the earthy hard edges in the friendship between Mickybo and Jono, as the lads get into knife fights with other boys, and cause tension between the parents as they cross the divide.

Held in a dreams state by seeing Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid on the big screen, director Loane & cinematographer Roman Osin bring soft-focus fantasy sequences of the lads imagining themselves as the cowboys, with the unflinching reality of The Troubles in the 1970's with a excellent dour colours papering the walls of every location, unrolled in stylish wide-shots along the grey crumbing bridge where Mickybo and Jonjo meet at high noon.

the best Irish film since Titanic Town.

[lorcandooley · 1/10 · 7 April 2005]

Awful! Awful! Awful! Drab, unimaginative, predictable - and with all the usual suspects. Exactly the sort of film the Irish Film industry shouldn't be making. And with the added bonus of a treacle-coated ending. A sickening example of how talent & originality is by-passed in favour of an almost aggressive mediocrity. Yes - the children are sweet. Yes - it almost looks like it's done professionally. But this is film making by numbers, a direct smash and grab on what the director obviously thinks is 'success' - a film which patronises and despises the audience. It's quite amazing that Working Title would pour £3m into this rubbish. But then, they paid for Love Actually. Don't waste your money.

An amazing success

[petercoulter1 · 10/10 · 26 March 2005]

Northern Irelands answer to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was released this weekend in Ireland. I went along to see it after meeting the director and some of the stars at a television interview earlier in the week. The story is about a young catholic boy called John Jo who leads pretty normal life, his life starts to go wrong when his dad has an affair with the woman from the cinema and his mum moves out into his Aunite Ritas. His life seems really bad until he meets a young protestant boy called Mickybo, the two break into the cinema and become obsessed with "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" this leads the two onto a journey to Australia on the run from the law. this is a very fine piece of work from Terry Loane and although it is from Northern Ireland it is not totally based on the troubles although they are a magnificent backdrop for it. Congratulations to all who were involved with making it and I encourage everyone else to go and see it.

A Gem

[bigdave11 · 9/10 · 17 February 2006]

Agree with all the previous positive comments about this terrific, underrated little movie. Julie Walters is as always quite wonderful in her role, but the movie is of course stolen by the 2 young leads who display a wonderfully natural talent in roles which could have been written for them. This take us back to more innocent times when young lads were more interested in cowboys than girls. I's particularly poignant that it is set amidst the tragic troubles which blighted Belfast for so long.In reply to the earlier reviewer wondering when it will be released on DVD I have some good news. Unlikely as it may seem it's just been released by Universal DVD Germany under the title 'Mickybo & Ich'. It's a Region 2 & 4 release with a variety of audio and subtitle choices. Should be easily available from Amazon.de.

Wonderful movie with a lot of heart

[se7en187 · 10/10 · 15 June 2006]

I saw this at the Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck, Michigan.

Fantastic Irish film, one of the best of the festival. Set in 1970 Northern Ireland, two kids, one Protestant, the other Catholic, bump into each other and quickly become friends. One day, Jonjo and Mickbo go to see Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid at the theater and fall in love with the movie. For the rest of the film they become Butch and Sundance and try to escape Northern Ireland and travel to Australia.

It's a wonderful movie, the two main actors are so perfect, I had a great time the whole way through the film. It would be nice to see Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid before watching the film, just so you can catch all of the inside jokes, but it's not very necessary.

I really hope this movie gets noticed in the States, it's a lot of fun and has a lot of heart.

Just Fun too watch

[pascal77-1 · 10/10 · 18 October 2005]

Just take it as it is. Too many people are judgmental.I don't see why this movie did not rate higher. Not all bad came out of that period during the 70's. I expected it to end badly but it did have an upturn at the end. I thank the people who voted in more for its favor.

My only complaint was I could not understand the speech patterns of the kids.

I am going to try and find out more about it on the net to see more about the two fine boy actors.

It did have a few scenes that were out of place but I still rate it 10 in my book.

Good One

[finn_ · 9/10 · 19 May 2006]

I found this film excellent. It was entertaining, funny and sad.

The story of two friends from different backgrounds is definitely nothing new, and I also don't think it was told in any specially new way. Nevertheless, the film had great energy and the world of the children - for whom the world of the adults can be one big playground - was pictured in a honest way.

I enjoyed all the performances. Children playing the two main characters felt real in their hopes and fears. Jonjo reminded me of myself when I was a kid - had mad friends getting us in trouble when ever they could - so I really enjoyed his role.

In my opinion adults in the movie were convincing, but again, I wouldn't be the right person judge the authenticity of their performances since I am not from the area.

In spite of dealing with political issues I found this film non-political. It is a praise for friendship but thank God without Disney-like sentimentality - even if it is touching at times. In my opinion only notch there is the end bit where Jonjo sends the star back to Mickybo. It felt not only gushy but also calculated.

However, it was an honest - and somehow real - move to let Mickybo turn against Jonjo in the end of the film.

Thank you for film crew for one the best and touching friendship films there is!

Wonderful!

[no_timewasters · 10/10 · 25 March 2006]

I love this film. I hired it out from the video shop on a whim and it completely blew me away.

The acting of the two young boys is the best that I've ever seen from children, Mickybo in particular stole every scene that he was in. The locations may not have been geographically correct but the scenery was gorgeous and complimented the two stars.

Though some have said that it is contrived and clichéd, to me this film is wonderful. It's a beautiful story about two different boys who become friends, discover their differences, and learn a bit about life.

I showed it to a friend of mine and now he won't give it back!

A good representation of the Troubles

[hopesfrenzy · 8/10 · 2 April 2007]

The film in my opinion is a fantastic representation of a child's experience of the troubles in northern ireland. It is quite accurate.

It could be classified as a comedy, but I would say it's more of a dark comedy because, while the kids are playful and goofy at times, as one would expect the setting is entirely depressing. The mothers' characters are unforeseen because they do not fall into normal Irish stereotypes. However, the father's characters are very stereotypically Irish, which was somewhat disappointing. Nevertheless, an important film to see.

It is about the loss of innocence in a tragic environment and two friends trying to hold onto what little peace they have left.

The editing and cinematography is at times lame, but at other times absolutely fantastic, especially the ending scenes -- pay attention because it is visually stunning.

8/10 because, while the acting is good, at times the movie is a bit too ridiculous and it borderlines on slapstick, a poor choice for the director in my opinion.

A remarkable film

[gap8350 · 10/10 · 24 March 2006]

It was really a big problem for me to understand the talking from the people in this film. English is English and Australians speak a special way. However I managed to understand the plot and follow through. It is a great story told in a very familiar way but very serious. The problems exposed are not being solved and catholic and protestant will continue to discuss them but this type of film serves to tell us what a waste of time, lives and resources is to continue with the religion kit. We are in 2006 and going to the moon, etc and still thinking that one way is better than the other.I will buy the DVD because I can have English substitles. Notwithstanding, it is a remarkable good film. GAP

Great

[thequaver · 8/10 · 27 May 2007]

I've seen a lot of movies that try and depict what happened in Northern Ireland all those years ago and their totally different from reality. This film, however, is a lot closer. Basically it's two young boy's learning more at a young age than just the school curriculum, and how the troubles are effecting everyones lives. As well as this the setting is perfect and the characters are very believable, especially the two young boys.

Even if your not from Northern Ireland there's no need to snub it, as a lot of the jokes come from the two young boy's innocence, more than anything else and the overall message is clear.

Strong message, good story and funny, worth watching.

Incredible coming of age story.

[yusufpiskin · 9/10 · 6 October 2020]

1970 Belfast...

Engaging and enjoyable film contrasting childhood innocence with 1970 Belfast.

Both young leads deliver brilliant performances, supported by a cast of familiar faces and characters from other British coming of age movies. The innocence of 'Sundance' while eroded throughout the film is replaced with a healthy ability to express self-assertion. Mickeybo in contrast is continually proven to be limited in his ability to live an independent life, instead found increasingly reliant on the trust and support of others.

Centre stage is the clash between contemporary culture and living and the naïve imagination and bold arrogance of youth.

The film presents Belfast as a dingy slum, divided by religion and suppressed by poverty and haunted by sham distractions. Childhood is tarnished by violence, death and crime. Yet Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid ironically offers escape, romanticising the same themes and presenting brotherhood and exotic locations as their remedy. While the boys are not broken by their failure to reach Australia, it is clear that a break from Belfast life and a taste of true independence and adventure is what they seek.

Attention to period setting and realism with an acceptable level of creative license produces a believable and appreciated caper.

Not quite...

[jim2914 · 8/10 · 2 September 2005]

To say that to watch this would give a reasonable insight as to what it is like being a Catholic in Northern Ireland, is like saying watch "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid" to discover how life was in America at the turn of the 19th Century. This film was made for entertainment value only I believe. I do not believe that any hidden social statement was intended. The Protestant boy is portrayed typically as better off than his Catholic counterpart. Not always the case as anyone who knows anything about the warring ghetto factions in Northern Ireland will tell you. The film was full of clichés but highly enjoyable and cinematic. I don't know if has gone to DVD yet but is worth a viewing if it does. As for leaving the cinema, I hope you never go to see Home Alone !!