The ‘heartwarming’ film has only just left UK cinemas.
Abode, a heartwarming new Irish independent movie, has just been made available to rent at home.
Written and directed by Liam O Mochain, who is also a part of its ensemble cast, the film is an 80-minute anthology featuring five different stories.
The tales fluctuate between genres, yet all are united by the theme of home. On this topic, the plot synopsis for the movie states:
“Whether the characters are living in mansions or on the street, in a big city, suburbia or in the countryside, home has an importance and a different meaning for each…
“The stories are a mix of drama and comedy, inspired by true stories and very relevant today. In a way, the theme of home is always relevant.”
Abode Trailer
JOE really enjoyed Abode, which overcomes budgetary limitations or resource issues thanks to its heartfelt storytelling and its great cast full of recognisable Irish thespians.
Whether the film’s tales focus on a homeless woman (Marion Dwyer) on Christmas Eve, a forbidden relationship between two older people (Brendan Conroy and Mary McEvoy), or a middle-aged married couple (Mary Murray and Stephen Jones) getting a much-needed break from their kids, almost immediately after each story starts, audiences are gripped.
This is because the actors imbue their characters with authenticity and humanity and because O Mochain, at his best, makes their circumstances feel tactile and believable, with their adventures often playing out on the real streets of Dublin.
The writer-director also confidently threads the line between giving audiences just enough information in each tale to stay engaged and invested, while also holding back some big reveals to the end of nearly every story for added surprise or for an emotional gutpunch.
Like all anthologies, some parts are stronger than others. The most overtly comic and surreal tale, about a couple (Gail Brady and Matthew O’Brien) who get a smart oven that ruins their life, sits awkwardly between two social realist segments. Also, Abode’s upbeat jazz and polka-inspired soundtrack can sometimes feel intrusive.
The best segment of the anthology, however, is the one starring Rosemary Henderson (Sister Assumpta in Father Ted) as an older woman about to meet a “long-lost love” with whom she was torn apart.
Gorgeously acted while addressing Ireland’s dark past with great empathy, it is sure to bring a tear to your eye and is worth the price of viewing.
Abode is available to rent or buy now in Ireland and the UK on all main platforms.
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