The Snapper [DVD] [1993]

Thank you. Have not seen this since the nineties

Notable for its excellent dialogue and fine acting.

I found this gem many years ago and fell in love. To me it's more about her relationship with her dad and dealing with being an unwed mother. The relationship that grew between the two of them was awkward but sweet. He desperately wanted to be the best dad possible and that's not an easy job. It is always a bit hard for me to watch how poorly some people treated her for getting knocked up without a man by her side, and the fact that she felt she had no choice but to create a lie, but she never have up hope and still chose her baby. It's a sweet feel-good movie that never fails me. Plus Colm Meany is brilliant in every thing he does and Brendan Gleeson was a perfect side character to lift it up.

[Minor Spoilers] Cinematic father-daughter bonds don't come much stronger and sweeter than this. "Sharon" (Tina Kellegher), only 20 years old, though her Dad, "Desi" (Colm Meaney), thought she was 19 (LOL), has unexpectedly found herself "in the family way," turning her big family's lives upside down. Of course, understandably, her parents aren't happy (at first), and upon hearing the news at a family meeting, one of her little brothers even amusingly says, "Is that all?" The whole family, however, has to endure some of the repercussions of Sharon's questionable choice (verbal abuse from friends and neighbors), as well as her reluctance to reveal the father, but what permeates through it all is a strong sense of family, love, laughter, and ultimately forgiveness. Although a little rough around the edges (some unnecessary bad language and Sharon's constant drinking while expecting, which is a surprisingly irresponsible oversight by the filmmakers, not to mention a DVD transfer that's barely better than VHS), this one shouldn't be missed, including that touching final scene and background music just before the credits, which gets me every time. [Suggestion: Watch with English subtitles to help with the Irish lingo and enhance the movie as a whole.]

I just watched this for the first time in a few years and fell in love with it all over again. I am a big fan of Roddy Doyle and the Barrytown Trilogy and The Snapper is perhaps the most poignant of them all. I watched this film within a few days of having seen The Van again and was struck by a couple of things:1. Not so much the accents but the phrases were much more broad and "Irish" than in The Van. Many more "Wha's" from Colm Meaney and "Thick B***h's" from the females in the cast.2. Even though this was produced for television on a presumably low budget, the result is outstanding. It just goes to show that good writing is at the heart of good movies, a notion that Hollywood never seems to take to heart. When was the last time an American TV Movie merited a theatrical release or even a second viewing? Brian's Song?

The dialogue might be considered funny, if you get over the fact that it’s about an 18 year old (ish) girl’s drunken-consent sexual encounter (aka rape) and how she is then taunted by her town, relationships shatter, and she is forced to lie about what happened. Sure, that’s really funny subject matter.

If you are a fan of British soap operas (e.g. EastEnders, Coronation Street), this will appeal to you. "The Snapper" takes place in Dublin, Ireland and chronicles life within a working class Irish family when the eldest unwed daughter gets pregnant.The title refers to the nickname they give the unborn baby. It is a realistic view of how a small community ostracizes one of its own for violating their mores, especially when they believe the baby's father is a respected member of the community. It is also a heart-warming study of how a family bands together to protect their daughter from outrageous treatment and slurs.This movie was released in 1993 and there have been so many other films dealing with teenage pregnancies since, including the recent award-winning Juno. It has a dated feel, like a period piece that does not quite jibe with society today. Still, it is worth watching.

Worked out great for person I sent it to who had shoulder surgery