Mickybo and Me

The world could be much better and easier if the children were heard or if they could speak more. The real world problems and boring routine are fantasy and dream for the kids. Mickybo and JonJo are two of these young beings who simply don't see the things the way we adults too. They love cinema and have a special passion for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. After watching their heroes at the movie theatre they see daily life as a scenery for the adventures they create on their fresh minds. They live in Belfast, a beautiful city that is unfortunately terrorized by bombs and religious division. They live on opposite sites of the place, but the imagination and sense of adventure they share make their friendship develop fast. This is a nice film that makes us see the hard reality through the eyes of these kids who do their best to make their dreams come true. We learn a lesson out of it: we should never stop dreaming.

I saw this at the Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck, Michigan. Fantastic Irish film, one of the best of the festival. Set in 1970 Northern Ireland, two kids, one Protestant, the other Catholic, bump into each other and quickly become friends. One day, Jonjo and Mickbo go to see Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid at the theater and fall in love with the movie. For the rest of the film they become Butch and Sundance and try to escape Northern Ireland and travel to Australia. It's a wonderful movie, the two main actors are so perfect, I had a great time the whole way through the film. It would be nice to see Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid before watching the film, just so you can catch all of the inside jokes, but it's not very necessary. I really hope this movie gets noticed in the States, it's a lot of fun and has a lot of heart.

I found this film excellent. It was entertaining, funny and sad. The story of two friends from different backgrounds is definitely nothing new, and I also don't think it was told in any specially new way. Nevertheless, the film had great energy and the world of the children - for whom the world of the adults can be one big playground - was pictured in a honest way. I enjoyed all the performances. Children playing the two main characters felt real in their hopes and fears. Jonjo reminded me of myself when I was a kid - had mad friends getting us in trouble when ever they could - so I really enjoyed his role. In my opinion adults in the movie were convincing, but again, I wouldn't be the right person judge the authenticity of their performances since I am not from the area. In spite of dealing with political issues I found this film non-political. It is a praise for friendship but thank God without Disney-like sentimentality - even if it is touching at times. In my opinion only notch there is the end bit where Jonjo sends the star back to Mickybo. It felt not only gushy but also calculated. However, it was an honest - and somehow real - move to let Mickybo turn against Jonjo in the end of the film. Thank you for film crew for one the best and touching friendship films there is!

It was really a big problem for me to understand the talking from the people in this film. English is English and Australians speak a special way. However I managed to understand the plot and follow through. It is a great story told in a very familiar way but very serious. The problems exposed are not being solved and catholic and protestant will continue to discuss them but this type of film serves to tell us what a waste of time, lives and resources is to continue with the religion kit. We are in 2006 and going to the moon, etc and still thinking that one way is better than the other.I will buy the DVD because I can have English substitles. Notwithstanding, it is a remarkable good film. GAP

As a former serving soldier in Northern Ireland, during the "Troubles " - my first tour was 1969/70 - I found my eyes wandering to desperately identify places in Belfast where I had done a thousand F.P.'s (foot patrols) and was delighted when I spotted a place I recognised. As another reviewer said, it wasn't about the "Troubles" or our presence over there, but it was a magnificent backdrop to the film. The acting was outstanding, the location work terrific and the two young lads at the centre of the film were simply awesome. The accents varied a little and I spotted a couple of the actors contriving the Belfast brogue - esp Julie Walters, but, hey, who cares, as she is one of the finest actors in the world - but in general, it was a poignant and moving tribute to an incredible, relationship which stretched beyond the sectarian divide. Belfast went mad in 1970 and this movie accurately conveys that. I would recommend this film without hesitation.

To say that to watch this would give a reasonable insight as to what it is like being a Catholic in Northern Ireland, is like saying watch "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid" to discover how life was in America at the turn of the 19th Century. This film was made for entertainment value only I believe. I do not believe that any hidden social statement was intended. The Protestant boy is portrayed typically as better off than his Catholic counterpart. Not always the case as anyone who knows anything about the warring ghetto factions in Northern Ireland will tell you. The film was full of clichés but highly enjoyable and cinematic. I don't know if has gone to DVD yet but is worth a viewing if it does. As for leaving the cinema, I hope you never go to see Home Alone !!

Agree with all the previous positive comments about this terrific, underrated little movie. Julie Walters is as always quite wonderful in her role, but the movie is of course stolen by the 2 young leads who display a wonderfully natural talent in roles which could have been written for them. This take us back to more innocent times when young lads were more interested in cowboys than girls. I's particularly poignant that it is set amidst the tragic troubles which blighted Belfast for so long.In reply to the earlier reviewer wondering when it will be released on DVD I have some good news. Unlikely as it may seem it's just been released by Universal DVD Germany under the title 'Mickybo & Ich'. It's a Region 2 & 4 release with a variety of audio and subtitle choices. Should be easily available from Amazon.de.

Just take it as it is. Too many people are judgmental.I don't see why this movie did not rate higher. Not all bad came out of that period during the 70's. I expected it to end badly but it did have an upturn at the end. I thank the people who voted in more for its favor. My only complaint was I could not understand the speech patterns of the kids. I am going to try and find out more about it on the net to see more about the two fine boy actors. It did have a few scenes that were out of place but I still rate it 10 in my book.

I loved this film! The boys were a delight, I laughed so hard, and must admit I saw a bit of my husband as a child in Mickeybo. I enjoyed the adventures, or rather misadventures, of the boys, and enjoyed watching their characters develop. I am sure we all knew a Mickybo when we were kids, and as mad as we might have thought they were at times, we admired them as wished we could be a bit more like them. As for "treacle-coated ending", as one review said, it was no such thing. I felt it showed that things are not always as they seem and through it all, people can learn to to understand and accept each other. And not before time. I highly recommend this film!

I saw this film last night - and really enjoyed it , but they got the location shots all wrong ! - The boys hopped from The Mournes , to the North Antrim Coast - down to Ballyholme beach - in about 5 minutes -They jumped into the sea in Donaghadee and ended up in Eire !! Which is beyond belief ! The film makers were trying to show too many places in N.I - (Not quite sure how The South became involved at all ) all at once , and spoilt it in the process - To all non N.I residents , who won't have spotted this ,I would say --Imagine they filmed a scene at Big Ben and u could see Stonehenge in the background! I rest my case .................