Spoiler Thread:The Commitments

[Cathleen]

Emma wrote: "I'm curious Cphe as to how the non irish members find the language. It's very Irish, and specifically very Dublin."

That's a really good question, Emma. I was just about to ask what the following mean:
culchie, the jacks (bathroom?), his gaff, scarleh.

I really wish I had the soundtrack to play along as I read :) The music is great.

[Sara]

I've now finished this first book in the trilogy. It took about 40 pages or so to get into the style of the book. In the end, I think it was more the vocalizing of the music that gave me trouble and not the Dublin slang. In the end it also struck me how universal, the guys starting a band (or anything), storyline is.

[Donna]

I just finished this one. A very quick read. I enjoyed it but in this case, I think the film was better than the book. It really fleshed out the characters that Doyle created.

[Trelawn]

I think one of the things I loved most about the movie was the soundtrack and watching Andrew Strong, Angeline Ball, Bronagh Gallagher and Maria Doyle Kennedy sing. Particulary their rendition of "Try a Little Tenderness".

[Donna]

The soundtrack is spectacular. "The Dark Side of the Street" makes me cry.

[Paul]

Half way through and still on the fence. I'm finding most of the characters very irritating to be honest.

[Paul]

Finished.It was ok. Maybe its just dated or maybe the film was just so good that the book seemed lacking to me.Its definitely more of a novella and the style is unusual and for me it didn't work in many parts.The film fleshes out the characters and plot a lot better and I much preferred the ending in the film.

[Donna]

I have to agree with you Paul. Definitely a case where the film is better.

[Paul]

Its so rare a case the film is better but there was a lot more to the characters in the film. In the book they were all a bit one dimensional . Joey was the only character I found any way intetesting.