Riddled with more clichés than spots on a kid with chickenpox, and burdened with a title destined to ward off even the imbibing nationality of its title, "White Irish Drinkers" is a study in cinematic mediocrity.
Shaky-cam work from cinematographer Seamus Tierney makes it seem like mild earthquakes are constantly taking place throughout the story. "70s era Brooklyn is the setting where two brothers attempt to step outside their father's menacing physical abuse.
The Learys are an Irish family. The brothers' long-suffering mom (Karen Allen) regularly serves up tongue-scalding meals when she isn't being dressed down by hubby Patrick (Stephen Lang). Brian (Nick Thurston) plays the "good brother" to his black sheep sibling Danny, who is actively pursuing a life of crime. Brian has a knack with watercolor. He spends his hours in a cellar making paintings that no one ever sees when he isn't working at a local cinema run by a genial guy named Whitey (well played by Peter Riegert).
Nick has the hots for Shauna (Leslie Murphy), a neighborhood girl who works as a travel agent. Shauna is planning to leave for California, so a relationship with Nick isn't in the cards.
The film is written and edited with such a predictable trajectory that it negates its ensemble's worthy performances. Especially fun to watch is newcomer Nick Thurston. More than anything else, "White Irish Drinkers" propagates a negative Irish stereotype. To that end, its title at least tells you everything you need to know.
Rated R. 109 mins.
