Watch Intermission

Intermission is a 2003 Irish movie that presents the events, actions, and consequences of a group of characters that interconnect in a chain of erratic events in Dublin. The film has refreshing comic elements and dark, emotional undertones that expose the complexities of human relationships, betrayals, love, and the fluidity of moral values.

The story revolves around John (Cillian Murphy), a self-absorbed, immature, and frustrated man who just broke up with his girlfriend, Deirdre (Kelly Macdonald). He spirals into a pit of despair and conflicts with the people around him, starting with his coworker, Ben (Tommy Tiernan), and his boss, Sam (David Wilmot). John's desire for revenge leads him to involve himself in an elaborate robbery plan with his best friend, Lehiff (Colin Farrell), a charismatic, manipulative, and violent man fresh from prison.

The aftermath of the botched heist triggers a chain reaction of events that affect the characters' lives in irrevocable ways. Michael (Brian F. O'Byrne), an abusive ex-boyfriend of Deirdre, reacts violently after being dumped by her and causes chaos throughout Dublin. Sally (Shirley Henderson), a lonely and neglected woman, falls in love with John after a brief encounter at a coffee shop, leading her to take extreme measures to capture his attention. In the meantime, Detective Jerry Lynch (Colm Meaney), tasked with solving the robbery case, faces a personal crisis that threatens his professional career and exposes his vulnerabilities.

The movie's pacing feels somewhat disjointed as it jumps between different plots and characters, yet it still captures Dublin's gritty and diverse atmosphere. The film's soundtrack offers an excellent blend of Irish traditional music and contemporary pop songs that complement each scene's tone and mood. The cinematography is well-executed as it captures Dublin's cityscape, suburban districts, and coastlines with a sense of authenticity and personality.

The movie's strength lies in its strong cast, especially the central trio of Murphy, MacDonald, and Farrell. Cillian Murphy delivers a solid performance as John, portraying his emotional turmoil, vulnerability, and selfishness in a nuanced manner. Kelly Macdonald is charming and gentle as Deirdre, providing the film's moral compass while unraveling her character's complexities. Colin Farrell is outstanding as Lehiff, exuding magnetism, wit, and danger in every scene he's in, becoming the film's show-stealer.

The supporting cast delivers stellar performances as well, providing the film a diverse palette of personalities and motivations. David Wilmot and Tom Tiernan are excellent as John's co-workers who become entangled in his schemes, while Colm Meaney portrays a sensitive, conflicted cop who tries to do the right thing despite his flaws. Brian F. O'Byrne creates a memorable villain, presenting Michael's cruel and possessive nature with unapologetic brutality. Shirley Henderson portrays Sally with empathy and sadness, making her character's actions all the more tragic.

Intermission may not be everyone's cup of tea due to its darkly comic tone and fragmented narrative structure, but it offers an honest and realistic depiction of Irish life and culture. It examines how people's lives overlap and intertwine in unexpected ways, and how one's actions can have ripple effects on others. The movie also showcases the impressive talents of its cast, especially Colin Farrell, whose performance stands out among his already remarkable body of work. Overall, Intermission is a hidden gem that deserves more recognition for its cinematic achievements.

Intermission is a 2003 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 64.