Review of Patrick's Day

Terry McMahon's highly successful film Patrick's day is an experience and likely an emotional one. If you are looking for a predictable slick block buster with flawless production values that requires one to forage for a plot line then Patricks Day is not for you. If you have an enlightened soul who embraces art and empathises with the vulnerable of our world, then yes, this is the film for you. Sadly all too often todays block busters predictably succumb to Celebrity method acting with weak plot lines that throw money at effects with an emphasis of confining to rigid conforms of a people pleasing genre, in the hope it will fill seats and line pockets. MacMahon, avoids the predictable, like all accomplished artists he breaks new ground. His original directorship is refreshing. Michael Lavelle's cinematography alone is mesmerising and emotive. The performances are from the heart. The flawed characters grate, and at times can be off kilter and even test viability yet they are consistently in keeping with Moe Dunford's character Patrick, the protagonist. Dunford gives a raw outstanding, gut wrenching, convincing performance of a young man with who suffers from schizophrenia. Kerry Fox plays the emotionally fragile mother/carer to Patrick and her entire performance is unstable and uncomfortable, Catherine Walkers character Karen as the sexy, edgy, empathetic, depressed seductress is honest and uneasy. Oddly the off kilter pays off. Patrick's Day examines how we (normal people) with the best of intentions treat people who are mentally challenged. The taboo core story-line questions the right or hope, an extremely sensitive mentally challenged person has of experiencing a sexual relationship, a taste of love, and sadly it reflects the fear and ridiculous lengths society and a well-intentioned mother out of love will go to protect her son to prevent such an explosively terrifying situation. The film gives us a gritty reality of how vulnerable Patrick is in the arms of his seductress, yet it caresses our humanity with an intense intimacy that encourages us to want Patrick to have his day out. Patricks Day has won awards for best film, best screen play, best performances across the globe, because it's universal in its subject matter, and because over all it offers a solid storyline with a payoff. This Irish gem leaves the audience in an emotional turmoil of wondering who is actually crazy and questions our crazy perception of normality.