Film 13 - Evelyn
Movies that Will Inspire You:
Learning to See the Child Who is Not Yet There
This is the last post in our series of blogs about films that capture the essence of those who have been able to see and hold the vision of what a child can be and do. Evelyn is not about a teacher, but it is about how an entire country’s legal structure blocked the rights of a parent to care for his own children. It is available on Netflix and other venues. Public libraries often have a good selection of films, or you can rent them or even buy your favorites through Amazon.com.
Evelyn, a true story, takes place in Dublin, Ireland, in the 1950s. Pierce Brosnan plays the role of an unemployed father of three children, Desmond Doyle, whose wife runs off on the day after Christmas. Irish law forces his motherless children to be placed in orphanages. His daughter, Evelyn, is mistreated in the orphanage and Doyle realizes he has to face the fight of his life to get his children back. His case goes all the way to the Irish Supreme Court. Although it is about a court case, the film focuses more on the relationships between the characters in a very endearing manner. It is not the usual debonair role of Pierce Brosnan, but an extremely enjoyable portrayal of a devoted and committed father.
It is a bit of a David and Goliath type of encounter and Doyle’s daughter, Evelyn, plays a key role in the outcome of the story. One online reviewer from Portland, Oregon, who just saw the movie in early 2012 had this to say: “This is without a single doubt among the greatest, high quality films I have had the honor to see. The story I was very familiar with because I, myself was an ‘Evelyn’ as my adopted mother who was an attorney always told me. The story was wonderful material only made better by the actors, directors, entire cast and setting.”
By the director of Driving Miss Daisy, Evelyn is a powerful film and one that every parent will celebrate.
