Be Good or Be Gone

This independently financed Irish movie went half way for me! Do not get me wrong, it was a film debut for the director Cathal Nally and has a lot going for it, especially the strong chemistry between the two leads. For the script - there is a genuine inner city Dublin dialect so I really needed the subtitles to get everything! Cinematography was almost TV like, acting was going from good to bad... depending on the actors... and some of the situations were not very believable... especially one of the last scenes where a criminal is swallowing a ring which he has just stolen... WHY? To create a dramatic ending?

I've seen this film compared unfavourably to Adam and Paul, which is correct, but then, most films compare unfavourably to Adam and Paul. They have similar settings, following two losers from Dublin around for a few days, but, whereas Adam and Paul focused mainly on its main characters, this film has a bit more plot to drive it along. Unfortunately the plot is a bit clichéd, and the supporting characters are a bit thinly written or just cartoonishly evil. Though as a self-financed first feature by the writer/director it is beyond impressive, and the two leads are sensational. I would have enjoyed the film more if it had had fewer plot devices and focused on the two main characters. They could have just filmed those two guys in a room and saved themselves a lot of effort, I could watch that all day long. In short, 7 for the film but an extra star for the two lead actors and the film's DIY attitude.

Super classey down too earth quality acting. Great story line solid emotions acted well So good watched a second time with friends. Need more of Les Martin and co on our screens super actor.

One of the best Irish movies I've seen. Well written. It has every emotion possible and with laugh out loud moments. The two main characters were great to watch. Declan Mills is a lovable rogue in it and the lead by Les Martin was superb and Powerful. This movie has the potential to become a household name. The music used throughout the movie captured the scenes well.

I totally enjoyed watching this movie a great self funded project which stands up on it's own with it's great characters and a good story. A movie that also captured the bare bones and pure essence of Inner City Dublin. A great debut for director Cathal Nally in his first feature and great performances from Les Martin and Declan Mills. Actors to watch out for in the future!

Not my usual choice of film, theres a glut of irish gangster films, each as stodgy and been there, done that as the next. What sets Be Good or Be Gone apart from the rest is a number of things. Its well written. The dialogue is punchy, well delivered. Someone obviously cared about the characters. Its well directed. It would be easy to lose the run of things on a self made film but someones kept a tight rein on it, kept the focus. Its well acted. Theres a nice play off each other between the main characters and theres solid performances all round. Is it perfect? No. But what makes this film interesting is not just the film itself but what ive read about what it took to get it over the line which is no mean feat for any wannabe film maker and its a more impressive debut than most.