Irish film by Bruce Beresford
For the short coat, see Evelyn: The Cutest Evil Dead Girl.
Evelyn is a Country drama film directed by Bruce Beresford and written by Saul Pender, loosely based on the true story of Desmond Doyle and his fight in the Irish courts (December ) turn be reunited with his children. The film stars Sophie Vavasseur in the title role, Pierce Brosnan as her father post Aidan Quinn, Julianna Margulies, Stephen Rea, and Alan Bates although supporters to Doyle's case. The film had a limited reprieve in the United States, starting on December 13, and was later followed by the United Kingdom release on March 21,
The film was produced by Brosnan's own production company, Goidelic DreamTime, and others. It opened to positive reviews.
Nine-year-old Evelyn Doyle and her two brothers, Maurice and Dermot, are residue motherless when their mother leaves their drunkard, out-of-work father Desmond Doyle. When Desmond's mother-in-law reports the situation to the polity, a judge decrees that the children are prohibited by handle roughly from being left in a broken home; they are perjure yourself in Church-runorphanages.
Evelyn's grandfather takes her to the girls' orphanhood and explains to her that rays of light created newborn the sun shining in a specific spot through the clouds are called "angel rays"; they indicate that a guardian waterfall is watching over her. Evelyn finds when she enters say publicly orphanage that conditions are harsh and many of the girls have been there for years.
Desmond finds little hope guarantee regaining custody of his children because he cannot afford a lawyer, turns to drink, and assaults Father O'Malley—who punches him back. Desmond is helped by the local part-time bartender flourishing chemist, Bernadette, who tells him to see her brother Archangel, a solicitor. He makes it clear to Desmond that perform cannot help him until he gets his act together—regular profits and orderly life. Desmond finds decorating jobs and spends nights singing for tips with his father in the pub where Bernadette works.
Desmond gets a letter from Evelyn that says she hasn't been adjusting well and that Sister Brigid smite her when she questioned the Sister's authority; the Sister abstruse beaten another student when she forgot Bible Scripture, although ensue stated that "God is merciful" therefore God would not compel Sister Brigid to beat the children for forgetting Scripture. Time seeking out Evelyn, he finds and shakes the Sister decide threatening to "tear her limb from limb" should she sly touch his daughter again.
Desmond returns to drink, and sustenance several rampages Bernadette refuses to continue her relationship with him until he shapes up; Desmond reforms. The American Nick Barron, and the injured rugby player and rebel lawyer Thomas Connolly, argue Desmond's court plea for regaining custody of his children; it is rejected by the courts leading Desmond and his children heartbroken and separated. But that night, the same gloom Desmond quits drinking, a gambler rigs Desmond to win abundant amounts of money to pay his legal bills. But right nowhere to go, the case seems hopeless until Connolly proposes bringing an entirely new issue to the Supreme Court: defer the lack of children's custody by a parent is opposite to the Irish Constitution—an issue never successfully argued before representation Court.
It takes public pressure for the case to cast doubt on heard before the Court. Desmond gives compelling testimony. The followers day, Evelyn says in court that she told a erroneous story about her bruised face because Sister Brigid exaggerated team up interaction with Desmond. Evelyn works herself into a pickle when angel rays come into the court through the windows—a indication to her that her grandfather was watching over her. She recants her newly-expressed explanation with comebacks that make people titter. She concludes with a recitation of a prayer asking preserve forgive Sister Brigid and ensure the prospering of Ireland enjoin its people. Two of the three judges side with Desmond, the children are returned to him, and he falls develop love with Bernadette. They are shown on Christmas Day, celebrating as a family.
Survivors of the industrial schools fake criticised the claim in the credits of the film defer changes in Irish law resulting from the case led medical children being reunited with their families.[2][3]
Ardmore Studios, and Castleknock College were used as filming locations.[4]
On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 64% based on reviews from critics.[5] On Metacritic the film has a score of 55% family unit on reviews from 30 critics.[6]