Inside I’m Dancing also known as Rory O’Shea Was Here (2004)

Inside I'm Dancing

Inside I’m Dancing also known as Rory O’Shea Was Here (2004)

This is a story of two unlikely friends who choose to tackle life head on in the face of difficult circumstances. It is a heart-warming and thought provoking tale which charts the development of this wonderful friendship.

Plot summary

The film begins in Carrigmore Residential Home for the disabled, the centre claims to be a ‘special home for special people’. It is run by the formidable Eileen (Brenda Fricker) and has clearly established rules and norms. Michael Connolly (Robert Stevenson), a young adult suffering from Cerebral Palsy, has lived here all his life. He is a model of good behaviour within the home.

The safe predictability of Michael’s life in Carrigmore is disrupted and enlivened by the arrival of Rory O’Shea (James McAvoy). Rory suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy but with his quick wit and sharp tongue he rebels against the rules of the establishment almost immediately. The maverick Rory transforms Michael who is stunned when Rory understands his CP affected speech. On a superficial level they appear to be complete opposites; Rory listens to loud music in the middle of the night, he uses coarse language and he gets Michael to spike his hair when the nurses don’t have time for such fripperies, he is rebellion personified whilst Michael is a model patient.

Rory has one key goal in life and that is to get out of residential care fast and lead an independent life. His numerous applications are refused by the Independent Living Award Panel on the grounds of irresponsibility and insufficient maturity. Michael sees his friend suffer the despair and heartache of losing his chance at freedom. Michael’s father, who refuses to acknowledge his disabled son, is a successful lawyer. It is clear that his son has inherited his legal mind as he secures the funding for Independent living and then employs Rory as his interpreter. It is a joyous scene as the friends leave Carrigmore in search of independence in the city though Eileen bitterly quips: ‘it will all end in tears’.

The boys secure a ground floor apartment in the city centre which Rory describes as ‘cripple heaven’. They employ the beautiful but strong willed Siobhan (Romola Garai) as their carer. She has no experience of caring for people with disability but her care, humour and affection show her adapting well to the role. For awhile they are all blissfully happy, eating pot noodles, drinking champagne and enjoying a carefree existence. However, both Michael and Rory are attracted to Siobhan. The party scene is particularly painful when Michael tries to physically claim her as his own. When she rejects him, he is hurt and wounded. On their return to the flat there is an emotionally charged scene in which Siobhan clearly states that she cares for Michael as it is her duty but she does not love him. She further argues that neither is his love for her real but that he is confusing the emotion with some sort of misplaced gratitude for her care. It becomes impossible for Siobhan to remain working for the friends and she leaves.

Her departure leaves Michael dejected and he seriously considers returning to the safe predictability of Carrigmore. Rory refuses to allow his friend regress and urges him not to give up on his future. He employs the familiar cliché: ‘You’ve got the whole world in your hands’ to demonstrate future possibilities but also to remind Michael of the dull musical evenings in Carrigmore.

Sufferers of Duchene Muscular Dystrophy have a low life expectancy. After an attack in the apartment twenty one year old Rory is hospitalised and his prognosis is poor. In his final conversation with Michael he continues to encourage his friend to remain independent, he reassures him that he is capable of doing things for himself. He has one final wish which Michael realises for him. With the aid of Siobhan, as his interpreter, he returns to the Independent Living Award Panel and appeals the rejection of Rory’s Independent Living applications. His argument is self assured, convincing and poignant. The panel had rejected the application on the grounds of ‘insufficient responsibility’. Michael challenges the panel that it is only by making ones own decisions and mistakes that one can truly become responsible. He reminds them that they granted him funding and freely admits that until recently he had no idea what independence even meant but they cruelly prejudiced against Rory whom his friend describes as the very embodiment of independence. The panel is aware or Rory’s prognosis and find it bewildering that Michael is bringing this case at all. Michael’s aim in bringing the case is simple: a right must exist independent of its exercise.

Successful in his appeal Michael returns to the hospital to learn that Rory has passed away. After the funeral Michael refuses to be despondent as Rory’s spirit will not allow it. The final scenes of the film show him confidently manoeuvring himself through the busy urban terrain and embracing the joy of independent living.

Genre

The film is classified as a comedy/drama. It may be further categorised as tragicomic because although there is great humour in the film it deals with serious issues. The humour is warm and infectious. O’Donnell’s unpatronising affection for the characters is clearly evident. Rory, with the aid of some kids from the flats, robs a car and careers dangerously around the complex. He is angry when the police are reluctant to detain him due to his disability. He demands to be arrested. The issue of equality is being addressed here but our laughter at Rory’s belligerent countenance is unavoidable.

Theme or Issue

The theme of friendship is in many ways the central focus of this film. The story charts the relationship between two young men who on a superficial level are complete opposites, one rebellious and outspoken the other well behaved and undemanding. Rory’s arrival to Carrigmore transforms Michael’s life. He has only ever known the safe predictability of the residential home. Rory’s capacity to understand his friend’s almost unintelligible speech proves to be the catalyst for a powerful friendship. The two young men leave the home, achieve independence and experience the full range of human emotions from happiness and joy to heartache and frustration.

The film’s director Damien O’ Donnell has claimed that at its essence this is a film about accepting yourself, believing in yourself and finding your place in the world. It is a tale of carpe diem where two indomitable individuals rise above cruel circumstances; in this case their disabilities, and find their own place in the world. In Carrigmore Rory questions Michael’s aims in life: ‘Do you want to survive or live?’ When the friends secure independent living we see them truly living, they get drunk, kiss girls, rob cars, fall in love, resent one another, fight bitterly, reconcile; ultimately they are no longer surviving but living life on their own terms.

The theme of disability is also central to this film. Michael suffers from Cerebal Palsy and Rory from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The question of the appropriateness of residential care for young adults is addressed through Carrigmore Home for the Disabled. Rory’s loud heavy metal music and spiked hair are symbols of a modern world which seem far removed from the dull existence of life in the home. The issue of independent living and access to such services is also a major concern in the film. As a film which deals with the theme of disability, O’Donnell has been criticised for casting two able bodied actors in the lead roles. He has defended his creative decisions.

Relationships

The development of the relationship between Michael and Rory is the main focus of the film. In many ways this is a ‘Buddy movie’ where the audience gets the opportunity to observe the growth in this friendship from, its infancy in Carrigmore. It is a story of two young men, direct opposites who meet and become friends. We observe this relationship develop as they move in together and engage with the world outside the home. We see them fall in love with the same girl and watch the frustration and heartache they experience. Their friendship is strong and enduring. After Rory’s death, his maverick spirit encourages Michael to embrace his independence.

Siobhan works as the friends’ carer. She is beautiful and strong willed and it is clear that both men are in love with her. Initially the three form a happy carefree alliance eating pot noodles and drinking champagne. It is clear that the quick witted Rory has feelings for her and there are some tender moments between them which suggest that she feels the same, though neither ever verbalise their affection for each other. Michael becomes completely infatuated with her and in the party scene he is left wounded and despondent when she rejects him.

Social Setting

The film is set in contemporary Ireland in the urban topography of Dublin city. Carrigmore in many ways seems to be removed from the modern world beyond its walls. It is a caring institution but elements of everyday culture such as Rory’s loud music and spiked hair are unheard of in the institution and frowned upon by the formidable director, Eileen. Modern attitudes to disability and services for the disabled are also explored. Issues such as access to suitable accommodation are addressed during the friends’ search for a suitable apartment; they are shown an apartment accessible only by steps while the real estate agent overlooked this and only realises his blunder when Rory draws his attention to it. Voice activated lights in their apartment are not particularly suitable for Michael whose speech is severely impaired. These issues are dealt with humorously but point to the lack of appropriate services for the disabled in our society.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-04