White Irish Drinkers

Though almost entirely lacking in original ideas and concepts, White Irish Drinkers nevertheless establishes itself as a watchable (if overlong) coming-of-age story that boasts several stand-out performances and a genuinely sweet romantic subplot. The movie, which follows a young man (Nick Thurston’s Brian) as he attempts to deal with the various obstacles in his life (including an overbearing father and a felonious brother), has been infused with an admittedly authentic atmosphere by filmmaker John Gray, with the protagonist’s downtrodden, working-class existence heightened by his utterly believable friendship with three childhood buddies (ie their camaraderie feels real). There’s little doubt, however, that it’s Brian’s tentative romance with a local (Leslie Murphy’s Shauna) that stands as White Irish Drinkers‘ most appealing aspect, as the palpable chemistry between the two actors ensures that the viewer can’t help but root for things to work out for the pair (and it certainly doesn’t hurt that Brian first catches Shauna’s attention in a heartfelt scene in which he paints her portrait on a dusty window). It’s only as the rather tedious plot takes center stage that one’s interest begins to wane, as Gray is simply unable to generate any interest or excitement in the film’s climactic concert/robbery (ie it’s just all so familiar). Still, White Irish Drinkers is an affable piece of work that will undoubtedly work best among viewers who can more closely relate to Brian’s hard-knocks upbringing.

**1/2 out of ****