RORY OSHEA WAS HERE is an earnest, unpretentious film from Ireland that has the virtue of treating its subject, the disabled and their struggle for dignity and independence, without weepy sentimentality. Beyond a break-out performance by James MacAvoy in the title role, though, it has little to set it apart from the usual disability of the week type of film.
Rory, the new guy in the assisted living home, shakes things up with his spiky hair, pierced nose, and rebel attitude, one that isnt dampened by being able to move only his face and two fingers. As he puts it when introducing himself, it allows him the mobility of an electric wheelchair and self-abuse. Rorys long-range plan is to live independently once he can convince the government board in charge of these things that hes responsible enough to qualify. Unfortunately, they are more than a little skeptical. In the meantime, he befriend Michael (Steven Robertson), also wheelchair-bound due to cerebral palsy. Hes got more physical mobility, but unfortunately, hes incomprehensible when he speaks. Until Rory comes along with a finely attuned ear and becomes his official interpreter. The two become partners in the crime of wanting to have a little fun, such as hitting the pubs and hitting on some of the women in them, much to the consternation of the homes starchy staff, headed by Brenda Fricker.
This is familiar territory with all the usual landmarks that mark the storys progress, yet it doesnt cast the group home as evil, which is refreshing, but it does cast it as what it is, institutional with a competent staff that isnt wicked, but neither are they caring beyond what the job, admittedly an intense one, calls for. There are moments of genuine and infectious joy, such as when Michael, who has been treated like a potted plant all his life, realizes that someone can finally understand what hes saying. There are others of genuine heart-tugging moments of pathos, particularly Tom Hickey, who plays Rorys father, emotionally lost but brave in a deeply affecting, quiet way. For the rest, families disappoint, love isnt returned, and the real world turns out to have as much sorrow in it as happiness in it. The script is respectful and so is the direction, allowing these disabled pals to be real people instead of symbols designed merely to inspire us (which they do) or to make us feel guilty for being able to walk and talk freely. The problem is that there isnt an original moment, and not one that cant be seen coming from a long, long way off. Well, except maybe the part where Rory attends a costume party dressed as Dr. Strangelove.
The best reason to see this film it is MacAvoy as Rory. Even in the confines of a role that allows him virtually no body language, he is boisterous, even rowdy, projecting a larger than life personality that doesnt so much rail against his disability as thumbs its nose at it. He is immobile, but he is brilliantly vibrant.
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