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Pierce Brosnan of James Bond fame has moved from that action genre into a fatherly role. (Brosnan is one of the producers.) Based on the true story of Desmond Doyle who took the Irish Ministry of Education to the Supreme Court to regain custody of his children, Evelyn is clearly his project and gives us a look at Ireland of the 1950's. 

Doyle (Brosnan) is married with three children, the oldest daughter Evelyn (Vavasseur). When Doyle's wife becomes fed up with her life, she leaves her husband and children. Doyle's in-laws become involved, and eventually the church and Irish courts take the children away to orphanages. At this time in Ireland, you see, fathers didn't have parental rights. Through various means, including singing (yes, Brosnan sings) in a pub for money, he tries to prove his parental fitness, but the church and courts won't budge. The children miss their father, especially Evelyn, who is wise beyond her years. Enter Bernadette (Margulies), her lawyer/solicitor brother (Rea) and their American friend/lawyer (Quinn) who take Doyle’s side to try and get the children back through the Irish legal system.

Sure and begorra, the sets and photography (Andre Fleuren, ACS) are wonderfully done. Stephen Endelman's score, full of Irish lilt, adds to the mix. Brosnan looks scruffy and worn here, as befits a man who frequents pubs. When Doyle meets Bernadette, sparks fly and you can see where this is headed, but in the meantime, the two attorneys have too much fun coming up with ideas to use against the Irish government. Then there is the nun at the Dickensesque orphanage who takes discipline to new levels.

Doyle’s visits to the children, which could have been endearing, focus only on his daughter and leave the two younger sons out of the picture. We don't know what happens to the wife, only cursory phrases now and then about "being away" and "with another man." I would have liked to know the history of the marriage before she walked. Also, what consequences (if any) the Irish law had for her. It would have helped put into perspective a mother and wife leaving her family. Just what was her conflict with Desmond? Desmond Doyle probably did not have an easy time of it over 40 years ago trying to regain his children. While this story does have a Charles Dickens edge to it, writer Paul Pender gives us an easy look at a hard subject. Brosnan handles his role well, but doesn't seem natural with the children. He's more comfortable with the attorneys or friends at the pub.

Sophie Vavasseur (Reign of Fire) is given lines beyond her years, and though she handles it well, the scriptwriter treats her as a young adult, not a child. Still, Evelyn makes its points. Fathers can change habits and improve themselves, they are capable of caring for their children, and there are decent teachers and strict disciplinarian teachers. As the public recently learned from Antwone Fisher, perhaps, in the case of Doyle's children, the orphanage was a better choice than a foster home. Evelyn tackles complex issues, but, unfortunately, only gives us sanitized answers. 

Copyright 2003 Marie Asner
Submitted 1/12/03