The Snapper

The Snapper is the second novel to be filmed from Roddy Doyle's Barrytown trilogy, following on the heels of the huge success of The Commitment though Doyle as scriptwriter and Frears as director do well to distance the cinematic sequel from the original. For example, the family surname is changed from Rabbite to Curley, Jimmy jar becomes a soldier on leave from the Lebanon instead of a band manager and DJ, and the realism of the direction is a welcome change from Alan Parker's high-gloss style.

This is a slice-of-life film charting the changing relationship between 20-year-old Sharon (Tina Kellagher) and her father Jimmy Sr (Colm Meaney) from the time she tells him she's pregnant to the birth of the child. Jimmy Sr's efforts to care for his daughter and her snapper are confounded by her refusal to admit who the dad is, while Sharon has to come to terms with the rumours being spread all over their North Dublin housing scheme.

Originally made for television The Snapper was greeted enthusiastically at Cannes and won a well deserved cinema release. its blend of authentic characterisation with crackling Celtic dialogue make it a treat of a film. It also works as a parody of all those crappy Hollywood baby movies from the late 80s.

Incidentally I thought it was an interesting reflection of Irish society that no-one, least of all Sharon, goes running to a priest, even the concept of abortion is raised.

Review by Stephen Cox
Taken from EUFS Programme 1994-95