Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good

CommentsXp Best movie ever!

Bea Swanson This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Scarlet The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Ed-Shullivan Already a quarter century has passed since A Prayer for the Dying was first released, and I don't think age has been kind to either Mickey's character portrayal of an IRA bomber named Martin Fallon, nor to the films story line. I believe Mickey Rourke to be a fine actor whose body of work has been solid decade by decade. He is an actor that I look forward to seeing what he plans to do next. I just don't think this particular screen play was very realistic, so first rate actors such as Mickey Rourke, Bob Hoskins, Liam Neeson and Alison Doody who had thought they had ordered top grade steak were served ground beef instead for the screenplay. The movie is about Martin Fallon a cold hearted IRA bomber who hangs up his TNT after accidentally blowing up a school bus of children which was intended for another IRA target. Of course Martin Fallon is forced to come out of retirement for just one last hit which he completes for another mobster appropriately at a cemetery. Unfortunately Martin fails to see the priest Father Michael Da Costa who witnesses his assassination. The priest is played by the very versatile actor Bob Hoskins. Yes, there was a steady stream of IRA villains planning other hits, the London Bobby's were continually chasing after the elusive IRA bomber Martin Fallon, the Irish mob wanting their own way, and the film even had a blind damsel in distress named Anna played by Sammi Davis who Martin Fallon falls in love with. Even with all this potential, and actors of the highest caliber, the film lacked any depth of true characters or continuous suspense. Instead, I felt the movie just plodded on through out and left me half way through the film expecting little more to come of it other than a disappointing ending which was the case.I give the film a rare 5 out of 10 only on the strength of Mickey Rourke and Bob Hoskins, otherwise my rating would have been even lower.

keeper275 Let me start by saying that I was fortunate enough to be able to re-enact 2 scenes from this great film in college (theatre class). I played Fallon in the park meeting with Liam Neeson's character (played by another student). Our fellow thespians loved the intensity but were a bit perplexed by the slow pacing.Secondly,the scene with Fallon and the priest (at the pulpit)after Docherty is shot by his female partner.Maybe it's partly because of my Irish heritage, but I LOVED this film.The soundtrack features some lovely pennywhistles and a bittersweet melody. I,also, enjoyed the Bach Fugue (sic) though Fallon's organ playing didn't look that realistic to me (I play).Liam Neeson is wonderful, as always. The look on his face as Fallon turns away from him in the park is priceless.He knows he just signed his own death-warrant.Secondly, the previous scene where he announces "Here,here, I'll not go near this place" to the (funeral-worker) informer. What authority! Some memorable quotes: "I once saw some writin' on a wall in (London) Derry ... that said: is there a life before death?" and "I don't wanna keep waking-up hearing the screams of young children, I lost somethin a long time ago...everything" and the ending when Fallon asked God to "Please,please,please forgive me" then dies in the arms of the grateful priest. Wow! Also, Bates is terrific as devil/angel crimeboss and that line "I don't think you quite know who I am, Father". It truly could have been written about a mafioso or a gangbanger who is curved back in by people who believe he knows too much: ally or not The IRA wants him back (in their fold) or dead.Trust me : it happens daily in this country.In my humble opinion: Like Mel Gibson's Hamlet , Rourke is surrounded by some of the best actors in GB and gives a nearly perfect performance. Nuanced and understated yet with a quiet intensity that should have earned him an Oscar (or at least a nomination).Who did he anger to be so vilified by Hollywood's honchos?Lastly, Bates was said to have "chewed up the scenery" by a critic. Does anyone know what that means? Love to all, all over this blue planet !!!

ninfilms A Prayer For The Dying is one of those films which had the ambitions to be well made film like many classic, but it falls on it face.It read stories that the film was re-edited behind the directors back and both Mike Hodges and Mickey Rourke have disowned the theatrical release. This is problem with the film, producers don't make good editors. There are some scenes which doesn't gel, and also the Bill Conti music is too melodramatic. Originally Mike Hodges hired John Scott too compose the soundtrack, then Samuel Goldwyn Jr didn't like it and got in Conti.I read that Mickey Rourke's Irish accent was badly criticized by critics. I actuality thought that Rourke accent was convincing enough and also he is an Irish-American. Rourke is one most under estimated actors around.Alan Bates is good as the Meehan, Bob Hoskins is reasonable as Costa even though at times he looks like he going to explode as a cockney gangster.According to Mike Hodges there is his cut of the film and that MGM own the rights and that there were going to release film on DVD in its correct form.I would like to see that happen as I said earlier it's an ambitious film along with Get Carter, but whereas Get Carter is a classic, A.P.F.D. falls on it face, because of people who meddled with the film not knowing what they are doing.

fanaticita Gotta admit, I'm on a Mickey Rourke run, having just seen Angel Heart, Barfly, and Francesco. A Prayer for the Dying is a wonderful piece of work -teriffic acting by all, including Bates, Hoskins, etc. Mickey Rourke has to be one of the most under-rated actors in the industry. His "bad-boy" image hasn't helped, as it has helped other actors who fall into the same category. He reminds me a lot of Steve McQueen -subtle, intense, controlled acting, but when the action is needed he delivers. I sincerely hope he has a comeback sometime soon. In the meantime, run to your nearest video store and rent this great film. There are some incredible moments that I won't forget anytime soon. This story has been told before: bad guy trying to get away from the badness. . . but Rourke makes is all new, by adding his own unique charism. See it.