Plot
In the 1970s, a foundling lad, Patrick "Kitten" Braden, comes of age by leaving his Irish town for London, in part to look for his mother and in part because his trans-gender nature is beyond the town's understanding.
Release Year: 2005
Rating: 7.2/10 (11,345 voted)
Critic's Score: 59/100
Director:
Neil Jordan
Stars: Cillian Murphy, Morgan Jones, Eva Birthistle
Storyline A foundling lad, Patrick "Kitten" Braden, comes of age in the 1970s. He leaves his Irish town, in part to look for his mother and in part because his transgender nature is beyond the town's understanding. He's taken in by a rock band, falls for the lead singer, has brushes with the IRA, is arrested by the London police, works in a peep show, and poses as a survey researcher for the phone company. Throughout, his nationality and his nature put him at great risk. In his search for his mother, he makes surprising discoveries of friendship and family. But, will he survive?
Writers: Neil Jordan, Pat McCabe
Cast: Cillian Murphy
-
Patrick 'Kitten' Braden
Morgan Jones
-
Building Site Worker
Eva Birthistle
-
Eily Bergin
Liam Neeson
-
Father Liam
Mary Coughlan
-
Housekeeper
Conor McEvoy
-
Young Patrick Braden
Ruth McCabe
-
Ma Braden
Charlene McKenna
-
Caroline Braden
Seamus Reilly
-
Lawrence
Peter Owens
-
Butcher
Emmet Lawlor McHugh
-
Young Irwin
Bianca O'Connor
-
Young Charlie
Paraic Breathnach
-
Benny Feely
Pat McCabe
-
Peepers Egan
/
Schoolmaster
(as Patrick McCabe)
Owen Roe
-
Dean
Filming Locations: Ardmore Studios, Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland
Opening Weekend: $33,279
(USA)
(20 November 2005)
(3 Screens)
Gross: $828,699
(USA)
(26 March 2006)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia: Stephen Rea already played a man dating a trans woman - in the infamous
The Crying Game, also directed by Neil Jordan.
Goofs:
Anachronisms:
Whilst the film is set in the late 1960s, early 1970s, the scene at the train station shows trains of the 21st century.
Quotes: Patrick "Kitten" Braden:
But Micky is devious and no matter how much you tell him, he simply won't stay down!
User Review
The Smiling Game
Rating: 10/10
There's never been a character like "Kitten" on the screen before or an
actor like Cillian Murphy for that matter. What a feast of a film! What
a joyful race through a desolate existence dressed in smiles and hope
and gratefulness. Neil Jordan's introduce us to this extraordinary real
life character with the magical slant of a fairy tale. A lesson for all
seasons. A unique portrait of a victim that behaves like a hero. The
idea of victim doesn't even enter the orbit of his reality. How
beautiful! I hope this marvellous film find its way to a large
audience. I want everyone to feel what I felt. I was enthralled by the
positiveness at the heart of its message. And if all this wasn't
enough. Liam Neeson! Giving the best performance of his career as the
most human of the imperfect humans that populate the planet. Do
yourself a favour, put aside preconceptions and run to have breakfast
on Pluto.
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