Grimossfer
Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%
filippaberry84
I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.
Billie Morin
This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows
nycritic
Based on the true story of a man who contested the Supreme Court in 1950s Ireland as he fought to gain complete custody of his children, EVELYN is a departure for Pierce Brosnan. Known for his television work in "Remington Steele" and for his movie appearances as James Bond, he's come to symbolize suave sophistication and any woman's ultimate romantic icon.With this movie, Brosnan attempts to go against type. He succeeds to a degree, because for the entire movie, all one can see is Brosnan with an Irish accent, playing a sweet hard working Irishman who has that Irish temper that flares in one inopportune (but justifiable) moment and will come to bite him later on via a cartoon vengeful nun. Note the mention of the word Irish: it's for a reason. I felt as though I was being hammered with it, it's as if the movie wanted to make sure I knew just where EVELYN was taking place.EVELYN has another big problem. Several siblings get separated after they are taken away from Brosnan's Desmond Doyle, but the story chooses, for inexplicable reasons, to focus on the Dickensian experiences of the daughter -- who grants the movie its title -- who meets the aforementioned cartoon nasty nun who seems all too eager to enforce her discipline.Also, even at its 90 minutes it seems just a tad long and a shade too manipulative for me to really feel the story. A moment when young Sophie Vavausseur as Evelyn has to testify her case against the prosecution does feel real, and has a quiet mysticism about it. Other than that, much of what happens in the movie has a perfunctory element to it. The inclusion of actors Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea, Alan Bates, and Julianna Margulies brings little relevance. KRAMER VS. KRAMER, Irish-style.
edwagreen
Something totally different for actor Pierce Brosnan, and he makes the best of it in a terrific performance.Desmond Doyle (Brosnan) is a poor Irish father, married with 3 children. His wife deserts him and as he has no finances, the state takes his loving children away and places the boys in one school and his daughter, Evelyn, in a convent.His lovely daughter meets up with one kind nun but one so vicious played by a lady whose last name is Irvine. I haven't seen such cruelty displayed by a nun since Gladys Cooper in "The Song of Bernadette."Brosnan, a house painter and part-time singer, shows tremendous depth in this role of a hard-drinking, heavy smoking individual whose love for his children transcends all.He engages two attorneys played by Stephen Rea and Aidan Quinn to help him. In turn, they pursue another retired attorney, the late Alan Bates, who provides comic relief with his performance.The picture focuses on the attempts of the attorneys to change Irish law that would allow one parent in such a situation to decide what's right for his child.Irish eyes are certainly smiling on Doyle, he immediately touches the hearts of the people in his plain, sympathetic style. Heart-wrenching and a joy to view. Don't miss it.
real-roger
This is the true story of a father who battled some unfair Irish child custody laws about 50 years ago. He puts his kids in an orphanage, and then cannot get them back. He suffers from a prejudice that only mothers can raise kids.I liked this movie because I identified with the father. To my surprise, my kids love this movie also. They've watched it about 10 times. This is partly because they've been the victims of a court-ordered custody change. But also, my daughters find the Evelyn Doyle character inspiring. She is calm and courageous and sensible in the face of a wrong system.
H. Martin (~AleXa~)
Evelyn (2002) is a heart-warming film based on a true story about a man, Desmond Doyle (Pierce Brosnan) who finds himself down and out when the Irish courts rule that his three children, Evelyn (Sophie Vavasseur), Dermot (Niall Beagan), and Maurice (Hugh McDonagh) are to be remanded into the custody of a Catholic-run orphanage after his wife leaves him the day after Christmas.This film tugs at your heart strings, but surprisingly not to the point of tears. And, as it is based on a true story, it brings that much more warmth to your heart. Pierce Brosnan and Sophie Vavasseur really shine in their respective roles. Certain scenes are a bit to-the-point, as if a little more dialog could've been added and the film is relatively short, clocking in at an hour and a half, but nevertheless, it still succeeds in taking you on a journey with Desmond Doyle as he fights for his family.VERDICT: A lighthearted fare that any parent can appreciate and that pretty much anyone sympathize with. Recommended to any parent or anyone in search of a light, heart-warming film.6.5 out of 10.0
