EVELYN

Year: 2002
USA: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
UK: Pathe Distribution
Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Julianna Margulies, Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea, Alan Bates, John Lynch, Sophie Vavasseur, Karen Ardiff, Alan Barry, Niall Beagan, Des Braiden, Lauren Carpenter, Stuart Clark, Eileen Colgan, Mairead Devlin, Conor Evans, Gail Fitzpatrick, Don Foley, Bill Golding, Sorcha Herlihy, Bosco Hogan, Andrea Irvine, Frank Kelly, Garrett Keogh, Mark Lambert, Alvaro Lucchesi, Hugh McDonagh, Brian McGrath, Pat McGrath, David Monks, Mick Nolan, Daithi O'Suilleabhain, Marian Quinn, Eamon Rohan
Director: Bruce Beresford
Countries: USA / Germany / Ireland
USA & UK: 94 mins
USA Rated: PG for thematic material and language
UK Certificate: PG contains mild bad language and infrequent mild violence
USA Release Date: 13 December 2002 (Limited Release)
UK Release Date: 21 March 2003

Synopsis

Based on true events, EVELYN tells the inspiring story of real-life hero Desmond Doyle (Pierce Brosnan) and his young children, Evelyn, Maurice and Dermot. Struggling to raise his kids alone in Ireland in 1953, Doyle is devastated when the power of the Church and the Irish courts take his children away and put them in an orphanage. Vowing to reunite his family, he enlists the help of his friends and together they attempt to do what has never been done before - challenge a law before the Irish Supreme Court. Doyle's fight to keep his family intact becomes an uplifting testament to a father's love and the power of the human spirit.

It's 1953 in Dublin and times are hard. Things get worse for Desmond Doyle (Brosnan) when his wife leaves him and their three children Evelyn (introducing Sophie Vavasseur), Maurice and Dermot on a cold Christmas day. Alone and poor, Doyle tries to come to terms with bringing up his family, even though work is sparse and the pub beckons to drown his sorrows. In an attempt to help, the Irish church take away his children and place them in separate orphanages. Devastated, Doyle works hard with the help of his father (Frank Kelly - Father Ted) to regain his business and pay off his debts so his children can come home. However, he is unaware that the Irish Supreme Court rules that the children can not be released form the orphanages without the permission of their absent mother...

Doyle refuses to give up and with the help of American lawyer Nick Barron (Aiden Quinn - Michael Collins), retired family lawyer Tom Connolly (Alan Bates - THE SUM OF ALL FEARS), and his ever supportive father, he commences the bravest battle of his life and challenges the Irish Law.

Humanity shines through for the Doyle's. Although the court case becomes very public and costly, the Irish community back Doyle at every turn. Local barmaid Bernadette Beattie (Julianna Marguiles - ER) becomes Desmond's close confidant and stands by him throughout the trial. Her constant determination for his success motivates him to see his case through to the end, no matter what the consequence.

Meanwhile, Evelyn never gives up on her father. Spirited and positive, Evelyn is a tower of strength for Doyle and together they might just reach the impossible... and change family Law in Ireland forever...

This is a story of hope and faith within the strong bonds of a family. It is a story of belief that justice and basic human rights will win over law and hierarchy of society. It is a story about love and the true values of life.

In addition to the main feature, the DVD extras include 'Behind The Scenes' and 'The Story Behind the Story' featurettes alongside commentaries from both Beresford and Brosnan.

DVD EXTRAS

Certificate: PG
Feature Running Time: 92 minutes
Extras Running Time: 44 minutes
Commentaries with Pierce Brosnan and Bruce Beresford
Behind the scenes featurette
'Story Behind The Story' featurette
Theatrical trailer.