Taglines: The story of a father’s love that changed a nation.
Evelyn movie storyline. 1953. Desmond Doyle is devastated when his wife abandons their family on the day after Christmas. His unemployment and the fact that there is no woman in the house to care for the children, Evelyn, Dermot and Maurice, make it clear to the authorities that his is an untenable situation.
The Irish courts put the Doyle children into Church-run orphanages. Although a sympathetic judge assures Desmond that he’ll get his children back after he gets a job, he learns there’s another barrier. During that time, Evelyn suffers abuse while Desmond goes to court to get his children back. A barmaid, her brother, her suitor, and a tippling footballer become Desmond’s team.
Evelyn is a 2002 drama film, loosely based on the true story of Desmond Doyle and his fight in the Irish courts (December 1955) to be reunited with his children. The film stars Sophie Vavasseur in the title role, Pierce Brosnan as her father and Aidan Quinn, Julianna Margulies, Stephen Rea and Alan Bates as supporters to Doyle’s case. The film had a limited release in the United States, starting on December 13, 2002 and was later followed by the United Kingdom release on March 21, 2003.
About the Story
Nine-year-old Evelyn Doyle (Sophie Vavasseur) and her two brothers, Maurice (Hugh MacDonagh) and Dermot (Niall Beagan) are motherless when their mother abandons the marriage to a drunkard out-of-work father Desmond Doyle (Pierce Brosnan). When Desmond’s mother-in-law (Claire Mullan) reports the situation to the Irish authorities the children are prohibited by law to being left in broken homes; they are placed Church-run orphanages.
Evelyn’s grandfather (Frank Kelly) takes her to the girls orphanage and explains to her that rays of light created by the sun shining in a specific spot through the clouds are called “angel rays”; they indicate that a guardian angel is watching over her. Evelyn finds when she enters the orphanage that conditions are harsh and many have been there for years.
Desmond finds little hope in regaining custody of his children because he cannot afford a lawyer, turns to drink and assaults Father O’Malley. The father punches Desmond. Desmond is helped by the local part-time bartender and chemist, Bernadette (Julianna Margulies). Bernadette tells Desmond to go for help at her brother Michael’s (Stephen Rea) office, a solicitor. He makes it clear to Desmond that he cannot help him until he gets his act together–regular income and orderly life. Desmond finds decorating jobs and spends nights singing for tips with his father in the pub where Bernadette works.
Desmond reads in a letter of Evelyn that she has not been adjusting well with Sister Bridget (Andrea Irvine) who beat her when the Sister’s authority was questioned. Evelyn objected to Sister Bridget beating her friend who forgot Bible scripture, although the Bible scripture stated that “God is merciful” therefore God would not want Sister Bridget to beat the children for forgetting scripture. While seeking out Evelyn, he finds and shakes the Sister while threatening her never to touch his daughter again or he will “tear her limb from limb.”
Evelyn (2002)
Directed by: Bruce Beresford
Starring: Sophie Vavasseur, Pierce Brosnan, Stephen Rea, Alan Bates, Julianna Margulies, Aidan Quinn, Claire Mullan, Marian Quinn, Andrea Irvine, Frank Kelly
Screenplay by: Paul Pender
Production Design by: John Stoddart
Cinematography by: Andre Fleuren
Film Editing by: Humphrey Dixon
Costume Design by: Joan Bergin
Set Decoration by: Josie MacAvin
Art Direction by: Ian Bailie
Music by: Stephen Endelman
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic material and language.
Distributed by: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Release Date: December 13, 2002
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